Riverkings fall to Northwest Express in pivotal division matchup

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – With the race for second place tightening, the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings hosted the Northwest Express in a crucial late-season divisional showdown. The team came up short despite a dramatic game tying goal early in the third period. The Riverkings remain in second with the Northwest Express a close third, just two points behind with two games remaining. The Riverkings will play the Steele County Blades while the Northwest Express wrap up with games against the Minnesota Mullets and the Hudson Havoc.

Feb. 20
The Riverkings stumbled out of the gate, surrendering three goals in the opening ten minutes — a slow start that may have been influenced by the lingering flu and cold season. Wisconsin Rapids regrouped, cutting into the deficit with two goals in the second period and tying the game early in the third. However, the Express regained the lead with less than seven minutes remaining and sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

Scoring summary
• Express 1–0 (17:12, 1st, power play): Mason Rappel power play goal with the assist from Alexander Musyakevych.

• Express 2–0 (12:41, 1st): Evan Scholl from Gabriel Sorenson.
• Express 3–0 (09:35, 1st): Bryce Millington from Preston Lundbohm.
• Riverkings 1–3 (9:54, 2nd): Marcus Anderson from Sebastian Redfern on a 2-on-0 breakaway halfway through the period.
• Riverkings 2–3 (01:21, 2nd): Sebastian Redfern from the slot on a feed from Marcus Anderson.
• Riverkings 3–3 (17:48, 3rd): Jonathan Jakshoej sweeps in the loose puck that was initially shot by Mateo Ruffalo.
• Express 4–3 (06:43, 3rd): Bryce Millington from Jeff Schroeder on a 2-on-2.
• Express 5–3 (0:31, 3rd, empty net): Alexander Musyakevych from Preston Lundbohm on the empty netter.
The Riverkings finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Express went 1-for-3.
Jackson Gruttadauria allowed three goals on three shots before Eli Graf entered in relief, stopping 36 of 37. Express goaltender Filip Kaczmarczyk turned aside 53 of 56.

Regular season wraps up

Wisconsin Rapids concluded the regular season at home against the Steele County Blades on Feb. 27–28. The division playoffs begin Friday, March 6 with a best-of-three series. The Minn. Squatch have secured a first-round bye as division champions. If the Riverkings maintain their hold on second place, they will face the Hudson Havoc in the opening round.
All home games are scheduled for 7 p.m. at the South Wood County Recreation Center.