RoughRiders clinch share of Anderson Cup (w/video)

CEDAR RAPIDS - One more point. Just one more point.

That's all the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders need to clinch their division and the Anderson Cup outright, putting themselves on the cusp of that twofer with a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over the Youngstown Phantoms last night before 2,411 fans at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Justin Kovacs' one-timer from the circle on a unique 4-on-3 power play won it for the Riders, who had to rally twice from a goal down against a club 36 points behind them in the USHL standings. Well, make that 37 points now.

“I thought we could have played a little harder,” said Kovacs, who celebrated with a jump into the glass before being mobbed by teammates. “Not our best. But when it came down to it, we did what we needed to do to win.”

Video of the game-winning Kovacs goal is below:

The victory coupled with a loss by Dubuque gives Cedar Rapids (40-12-6, 86 points) a four-point edge on the Fighting Saints and Green Bay in the race for the Anderson Cup, which goes to the league's regular-season points champion. All three teams have a pair of games remaining this weekend, with the RoughRiders hosting Dubuque on Friday night.

While Dubuque has clinched the Western Conference, Cedar Rapids and Green Bay have yet to settle things officially in the East. The Riders need only to send one of their games (including Saturday night against Team USA) to overtime to secure the one standings point needed.

“This is good, but we want more,” said RoughRiders defenseman Josiah Didier. “Come Friday, we'll just keep going.”

It was Didier's goal from the right point with 8:02 left in regulation that brought his team into a 2-2 tie. His shot actually deflected off a Youngstown player in front and past goaltender Jordan Tibbett.

Goals from Scott Mayfield and former Rider Stephen Collins countered Sam Warning's goal and gave Youngstown a 2-1 lead. Warning was dragged down by Stuart Higgins on a hooking penalty with 1:26 left in OT.

The RoughRiders employed a diamond formation on the ensuing power play, with Nolan Zajac (at the top) setting up Kovacs for his game-winning blast with 48.1 seconds remaining.

“Great mental toughness out there by everybody to find a way to get that last goal,” said RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson.

“Coach told us what to do, and we just went out there and did it,” said Kovacs. “We wanted to take shots from the side. We got it out front, it just worked out perfectly.”

Goaltender Brady Hjelle extended his USHL record with his 39th win.

Here's a link to the game boxscore:

http://ushl.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=1341745