DUBUQUE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (22-9-1-3, 48 pts) fell 5-2 to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (12-16-4-1, 29 pts) at home on Friday night.

The Saints opened the scoring in Friday's game with Matt Desiderio scoring his first-career USHL goal in the late stages of the first period. Despite the momentum, the Riders responded with the tying goal with a minute left in the first to send the game into the second all knotted up.

After a Riders goal in the second, the Saints entered the third down one. Then, Cedar Rapids scored twice in the first 3:26 of the third to take a three-goal lead.

The Fighting Saints power play was just 1-6 on Friday night, not scoring until a two-man advantage late in the third. James Reeder scored that power-play tally and recorded a two-point night for the Saints with an assist on Desiderio's goal.

Dubuque allowed four of the last five goals of the game in the loss. Kevin Reidler made 22 saves in just his fifth loss of the year.

The Fighting Saints return to the ice on Saturday night when they host the Des Moines Buccaneers at 7:05 p.m. CST.