Round 2 Playoff Showdown: (#2) Rapids Riverkings vs. (#3) Northwest Express
Riverkings: (37-7-2)
Express: (29-13-2)
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Game 1-3: Fri, Sat, Sun (If Needed)
7:00 PM CST at South Wood County Recreation Center
The Rapids Riverkings have advanced to Round 2 after a dominant 2-0 sweep of the Blades in the first round. Now, they face off against the #3 seed, Northwest Express, with the stakes high: a chance to play for the division title.
What We Learned from Round 1:
The Riverkings showcased their power in two decisive wins. Friday night’s 3-0 victory featured a commanding offensive performance, but Blades goalie James Hunt stole the show, turning away 43 of 46 shots. On the other side, Riverkings netminder Dominic Hite was flawless, earning a shutout with 17 saves on 17 shots.
Saturday’s 6-2 win had a similar tone, but the Riverkings shook off any playoff nerves and found their rhythm, taking control early and never letting go.
Don’t Sleep on the Express:
While the Riverkings handled the Blades, the Express are a formidable opponent. The two teams split their season series, each claiming two wins. The most recent matchup saw the Riverkings prevail 4-1, but this will be a different battle. Watch out for Express forward Preston Lundbohm, who has been a constant threat in every game against the Riverkings. Lundbohm finished the season with an impressive 82 points in just 39 games and will be a key player to shut down. To beat the Express, the Riverkings must clamp down on Lundbohm, play strong defense, and rely on solid goaltending.
Obstfelder, Ahlstrand, and Andersson:
This line was on fire last weekend. Emil Obstfelder contributed 3 points, Felix Ahlstrand racked up 4, and Marcus Andersson added 3. Their chemistry is undeniable, and they’ll be looking to keep the momentum rolling this weekend. We caught up with Ahlstrand to ask about their success:
“Emil and I have been playing together all season, and now I’ve got Marcus, who I’ve played with before in Sweden. The Scandinavian link just makes it easier for us to connect out there. This weekend, it’s crucial to play hard and down low in the offensive zone. If we do that, we know the opportunities will come.”
Fan Themes:
Friday: Blue/Green Night
Saturday: Blackout Night
Let’s make some noise and Defend the Reign!