RoughRiders routed by Dubuque, 8-0

CEDAR RAPIDS — So much for coming back from the holiday break and creating momentum.

Colin Theisen had a hat trick, and Dubuque scored five power-play goals to squash the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 8-0, Friday night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

It's the second home defeat in a row since returning from the USHL's week-long sabbatical for the Riders, who play Saturday night at Green Bay. They lost Wednesday night at home to Fargo, 5-2.

'I don't know why you'd ask that,' Riders Coach Mark Carlson said, when asked if he felt this was one of the worst games his team has played this season. 'No, is that answer. I thought we got into some penalty trouble tonight. I thought in the second period we played really well. We had a ton of chances, only gave up (seven) shots. Obviously there are some things we need to clean up. But there are a lot of positives to take out of it, too.'

This is a seven-game losing streak for Cedar Rapids, which is 3-23-3 in what is virtually certain to be the worst season in the club's 18-year history. They went 19-34-5 in their inaugural 1999-2000 season.

If you were wondering, the worst team in USHL history is the 1985-86 Omaha Lancers, who were 0-46-2.

Cedar Rapids will play Saturday night's game without defensemen Ben Foley and Bence Stipsicz. Via USHL rules, they will sit out after being assessed game misconduct penalties late in the second period for secondary altercations.

Liam Walsh of the RoughRiders hit a Dubuque player from behind in the corner, drawing a penalty. Another Dubuque player protected his teammate by jumping Walsh, with Messina, Foley and Stipsicz eventually dropping their gloves and fighting with Dubuque's Jacob Schmidt-Stejstrup, Regen Cavanagh and Patrick Kudla.

That was the most excitement the crowd of 2,252 had, honestly. Except for the throng of cowbell-ringing Fighting Saints fans that made the trip southwest.

Dubuque ended starting goaltender Drew DeRidder's night with a four-goal opening period. Zach Solow scored just 2:15 in, with Cole Guttman scoring five minutes later.

Theisen added two goals before period's end, and got his hatty late in the second. Between his three goals, former RoughRider Taylor Brierley scored.

Dubuque finished 5-for-8 with the man advantage and scored eight times on 25 shots. Jaxon Castor picked up his fourth shutout of the season for the Saints, though he wasn't overly busy, making only 19 saves.

Contrarily, Cedar Rapids went 0-for-7 on the power play. The Riders' specialty units have struggled this season, ranked 15th out of 17 teams on the power play coming into Friday and 16th on the penalty kill.

'I just think the big thing is we have to stay out of the box,' Carlson said, succinctly. 'I think our guys are working their tails off. That's how I see it.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com