Cedar Rapids, IA – The Dubuque Fighting Saints (2-1-0-0, 2 pts) fell 5-2 to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (3-0-0-0, 6 pts) on Saturday in their first defeat of the season.
Down 3-0 after the second period, Dubuque began a late push just past the five-minute mark of the third. David Blasiak (2) scored for the second-straight game 2:03 before Gavin Lock (1) scored in his first action of the season. The Saints clawed back within a goal with more than 10 minutes remaining in the third. Joe Wahlund and Trevor Theuer assisted Blasiak, while Travis Lefere and Kris Richards set up Lock's tally.
The Saints found themselves behind by three after three second-period tallies by the Riders. Following a scoreless first period, the Riders scored just 1:46 into the second period. The Saints challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal was confirmed after video review.
Dubuque continued to create offensive opportunities in the second period, including Theuer hitting the post shortly after David Bosco's ice-breaker. Joseph Skidmore stopped all 12 Saints shots on goal in the second period and finished the game with 28 saves on 30 shots.
At 13:59 of the second, Nathan Chorlton wired a wrist shot by Luke Carrithers to extend the RoughRiders' lead. Then, just 2:35 later, Jackson Fox converted on the first power-play chance for Cedar Rapids to open a 3-0 lead late in the second.
The Saints went scoreless on the power play for the first time this season, failing on three opportunities. Carrithers made some quality saves in the contest, but allowed four goals on 29 shots in his first defeat of the season.
Dubuque returns to the ice on Friday in Waterloo, before the Saints open their home schedule on Saturday against the RoughRiders.
