CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (32-11-3-3, 70 pts) fell 5-3 to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (21-22-5-2, 49 pts) on Friday night.

Just over a minute into the third period, James Reeder took a pass from Noah Powell and finished a short-handed breakaway to tie the game at three. It was the first time since the 10:07 mark of the first that Dubuque did not trail in the contest. 

Despite Reeder's 20th tally of the year, the Saints allowed a fourth goal on a wraparound by Cedar Rapids less than three minutes later and never found another tying goal.

The Fighting Saints trailed for much of Friday night's contest after falling behind 2-0 in the first period, including a short-handed goal against to open the scoring. 

Powell had three points in the loss, including the Saints first goal of the night. Powell now has 51 points in the last 35 games for the Saints. Gavin Cornforth finished off his second power-play goal in the last three games for his 14th goal of the season, but Dubuque could never quite take control of the momentum from either goal.

Kevin Reidler made 13 saves before being pulled in the second period for Dylan Johnson. It was the first time Reidler has not finished a game he started all season. Johnson made 11 saves on 12 shots in relief and stopped a penalty shot in the third period to keep the Saints' deficit at one. An empty-net goal in the final minute iced the game for Cedar Rapids.

Despite having a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win on Friday, the Fighting Saints were unable to find a way to come back to win the game. It was their first loss in the fourth matchup at Cedar Rapids this season.

Dubuque is back on the ice on Saturday night at home for a matchup with the Des Moines Buccaneers.