Riders look to overcome injuries, Indiana in Game 5

CEDAR RAPIDS - What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders hope everything they've faced in their first-round USHL playoff series doesn't kill their season. A deciding Game 5 against the Indiana Ice is tonight at 7 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

“Ups and downs,” Riders forward Eric Robinson said. “But it's 2-2, and we're playing a deciding game that we think we can come out on top.”

“It all comes down to one game now,” Riders defenseman Jared Beers said. “It doesn't matter who has done what. Whoever wins tomorrow is going to move on.”

It appeared Cedar Rapids was on the verge of a sweep when it won the first two games of an Eastern Division semifinal last weekend at home, 6-0 and 5-3. But a change in scenery - and goaltenders - did wonders for Indiana, which won Games 3 and 4 at home, 3-1 and 6-1.

Casey DeSmith replaced Cab Morris in net the last two games for the Ice and has sparked his club. Riders goalie Troy Grosenick had to leave Monday's Game 4 in the first period with a knee injury, and his availability for tonight is uncertain.

Three Cedar Rapids players missed Game 1 because of league suspension, then defenseman Mac Bennett (broken foot) and forward Sam Warning (broken collarbone) got hurt in Game 2.

“We have a lot of depth on our team,” Robinson said. “Sam, Mac and Troy have proven themselves and really helped the team in the regular season and playoffs. But it's just another part of the adversity that we're going to battle. We're going to pull through and get some wins for them ...”

“There are no excuses with the injuries,” Riders Coach Mark Carlson said. “You've got to find a way.”