Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings return home with 2-2 road trip record
WAYNE, N.J. — The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings wrapped up a four-game road trip at the Hitman Classic Showcase, a premier Junior Hockey event held at the Ice Vault in Wayne, New Jersey. The showcase featured teams from across the country competing in non-divisional matchups, offering players a chance to ‘showcase’ their talents to the gathered college and pro scouts. With the large number of teams present, the showcase requires a modified game format where the teams play two 25 minute periods. The Riverkings arrived on Thursday to play four games over the next three days, splitting the outcome with two wins and giving up two games for their first loses of the young season.
The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings opened with a Thursday matinee game against the Red Bank Generals from New Jersey. Having scored nearly forty goals in the last four games, the Riverkings failed to net a single shot, dropping the opener 0-2 to the tenacious Generals. Mitchell Nelson opened the scoring at 19:30 of the first half and Michael Reed followed five minutes later for the only scoring of the games. Enough for the Generals to take the victory.
The outcome of the next game was no better for the Riverkings as they faced off against the West Chester Wolves, second in the Atlantic Division. The Riverkings took the lead with an early unassisted goal by Mateo Ruffolo. The Wolves answered a short time later with a goal (17:51) by forward Titus Keyes. The Riverkings then retook the lead when Logan Byman found the back of the net at the 16:24 mark of the first half; assists going to Riley Williams and Reilly Duke. The lead did not hold, Nolan Stott evened the scoring and the half ended knotted up at 2-2. The second half was all Wolves as the Riverkings gave up three and finished with a 5-2 defeat.
The Riverkings would rebound on Friday, having found their game and taking 2-0 victory against the Connecticut Junior Rangers. The Riverkings played what could be their best game of the season so far. Felix Ahlstrand got the early goal with the assist going to #17 Daniil Korobeynikov. Korobeynikov would get his second assist of the game as Noa Diamond put in the second goal with only 16.9 seconds remaining in the half. The second half remained scoreless and Deaken Shaw recorded his second shutout of the season. Shaw had 24 saves while the CJR goalie went 29 for 31 shots.
The Riverkings faced the Mercer Chiefs in a late day matchup on Saturday. The Chiefs struck first with Rhett Winger scoring the goal at the 16:33 mark of the first half. Less than a minute later, Noa Diamond found the answer with the assists from Mateo Ruffolo and Olivier Bolduc. The game was tight throughout, but with assists from Lucas Nelson and Mikhail Ilyin, Noa Diamond put in his second of the game with 9:40 left on the clock. The lead held and the Riverkings took the game 2-1. Deaken Shaw had 20 saves on 21 shots and Chiefs goalie Christophe Martin let in two on 30 shots.
Forward Noa Diamond has been a standout for the Riverkings, tallying 12 goals and 11 assists through eight games. The Riverkings return to South Wood County Recreation Center for their home openers against the Hudson Havoc at South Wood County Recreation Center on Oct. 17 and 18. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. both nights.