RoughRiders beat Dubuque for 3-0 start

By Jim Ecker

CEDAR RAPIDS – Nathan Chorlton scored two goals and collected an assist for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in their 5-2 victory over Dubuque at the ImOn Ice Arena Saturday and was named the No.1 star of the game, but his work was not done for the night.

After the RoughRiders celebrated their third straight win of the young USHL season in the home opener, Chorlton hopped on a stationary exercise bike and kept working.

Hard work. Skill. Teamwork. Those are three of the ingredients the RoughRiders think will help them enjoy a successful season.

“We’re a close team,” said Chorlton as he pedaled away. “I think we were tougher than them all night. I knew it would come.”

Cedar Rapids grabbed a 3-0 lead after two periods on goals by David Bosco, Chorlton and Jackson Fox, but the Fighting Saints responded with two straight goals in the first 7 1/2 minutes of the final period to pull within 3-2.

The RoughRiders retaliated with goals by Sullivan Miller and an empty-net tally by Chorlton to put it away. Chorlton, from Hastings, Minn., collected an assist on the goal by Miller.

Henry Lechner contributed three assists. Bosco and Miller both had a goal and assist. Carter Ernst provided two assists. Chase Pavlesich also had an assist.

“We have pretty decent depth,” said RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson, the winningest coach in USHL history. “We have to keep getting better every day. We have to keep working and keep learning.”

“We have everything,” remarked Chorlton. “We have the skill.”

Joseph Skidmore made 28 saves for Cedar Rapids.

There were a few minor skirmishes between the two teams, who don’t seem to like each other already. An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed all the festivities at The Stable.

Dubuque            0   0  2 – 2
RoughRiders      1   2  2 – 5

CR – Bosco (Pavlesich, Ernst)
CR – Chorlton (Lechner)
CR – Fox (Ernst, Lechner)
D – Blasiak (Wahlund, Theuer)
D – Lock (Lefere, Richards)
CR – Miller (Lechner, Chorlton)
CR – Chorlton (Bosco, Miller)