Throughout the first period, the RoughRiders struggled to keep the puck out of their defensive zone. Turnovers at the blue line and mishandled passes allowed the Thunderbirds to keep the puck in their offensive zone for much of the first ten minutes of the period. The RoughRiders played strong on the penalty kill as they turned away three Thunderbirds power plays and failed to score on their only power play. The Thunderbirds out shot the RoughRiders 12-1 in the first period. The game was tied 0-0 after one period of play.
The second period found the RoughRiders shaking off the rust a bit and playing in their offensive zone more. However, it was the Thunderbirds who found the back of the net first, scoring 2:42 into the second period. Less than two minutes later, the RoughRiders evened the score with a goal by Robert Salvato, assisted by Evan Ritt and Rudy Junda. The RoughRiders killed off two more penalties in the second yet failed to tally a goal on their three power play opportunities. The Thunderbirds out shot the RoughRiders 13-8 in the period. The second period ended with the score tied at one goal apiece.
The RoughRiders were able to control play in the third period out shooting the Thunderbirds 9-6. Although their were no goals scored by either team in the third, the RoughRiders played their best period of the game. They also killed off two more penalties in the third. For the game, the RoughRiders were seven for seven on the penalty kill.
The RoughRiders goalies split time during the game with solid performances from Mallory in the first half and Loeffler in the second half of the contest. Overall, the game looked like a typical first game of the season. The RoughRiders started out a little rusty and improved their play throughout the game. Not a bad way to start the season.
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