Chowder Cup surprise team so far: Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
Through 2 days of hockey at the most prestigious tournament in Junior Hockey, the surprise team is the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings. The Riverkings are in its inaugural season in the MnJHL Junior Hockey League and were thrown into the Elite Bracket at the Chowder Cup. Of the over 100 teams only 12 are playing in the Elite bracket.
On the first day, the Riverkings faced a team that rostered players from Canada with players from the top levels of Junior Hockey in Canada. Score was tied 0-0 halfway through the game and the Riverkings tallied a goal to lead 1-0. After surviving 5 penalty kills the Riverkings gave up goals on there 6th and 7th penalty kills and were losing 2-1 late in the game. The Riverkings had a breakaway and a open net opportunity that they didn’t capitalize on and lost 3-1. On day 2, the Riverkings faced a team called East Coast Militia that had D1 players as well as NAHL and USHL players. Again, halfway through the game it was 0-0 and the Riverkings scored to take a 1-0 lead. After the goal there were numerous scouts and fans that ran over to see the new kids from the midwest and the Riverkings were going to try an pull the biggest upset of the whole tournament. Late in the game the Riverkings gave up a power play goal and another one to go down 2-1. With 3 minutes left the Riverkings were on a breakaway to tie the game and the Militia goalie came up with a huge save that could of tied it. Of course, the Miltia then proceeded to use the momentum a big save to score within 30 seconds and win 3-1.
Coach Quarters and the MnJHL came to Boston and have put up the biggest surprise of a Junior A team who is in there first season playing even with teams that have been around forever and in the Elite Division of the Chowder Cup that have had players like Patrick Kane play in. Coach Quarters set every franchise record for the Central Wisconsin Saints during 2013-14 and has elected to Coach the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings for 2014-15. Go to www.riverkingshockey.com to be part of a championship team in the making.
