SPHL: Quad City Storm this week
Games: The Quad City Storm (4-3-0-0, 8 points) are back on the road for a weekend SPHL doubleheader at Roanoke (3-3-1-0, 7 points). Games begin at 6:05 p.m. CST both Friday and Saturday at the Berglund Center.
History: This is the first meeting of the season between these two clubs. Last season, they split their four games, each posting 2-1-1-0 marks. All-time, both teams are 4-3-1-0 against each other.
Roster moves: As of early Thursday, QC had not made any roster moves this week. QC defenseman Dillon Fournier and LW Houston Wilson remain sidelined with injuries. ... Roanoke made a couple of roster moves this week. The Rail Yard Dogs added centerman Joseph Widmar back to the roster after an ECHL stint with Rapids City. Defenseman CJ Valerian was placed on the 14-day IR. Widmar split time last season between Pensacola and Peoria, scoring 16 goals and dishing out 39 assists for 55 points.
Game notes: The Storm will still be without top goaltender Brent Moran this weekend as he recovers from a lower-body injury. "We are giving Brent additional days to make sure he is 100%," QC coach Shayne Toporowski said. That puts Tyson Brouwer (1-2-0-0, 3.15 GAA, 0.920 save percentage) back in goal this weekend, with Roni Salmenkangas still on the roster as his backup. ... Last Friday, Nic Levesque was a healthy scratch for QC. This Friday, the right winger will not be available after getting suspended. Levesque was assessed a minor boarding penalty in Saturday's game that ultimately drew a one-game suspension from the league. ... After getting swept last weekend by Fayetteville, QC has now been outscored 22-21 in its seven games. Roanoke has been outscored 25-23 in its seven games. ... QC winger Cole Golka (5 goals, 6 assists) and Leif Mattson (5 goals, 6 assists) share the league lead with 11 points. Storm centerman Weiland Parrish (3 goals, 6 assists) is tied for fifth with 9 points. Roanoke's Nick Ford leads the Rail Yard Dogs with 9 points (1 goal, 8 assists). Rookie Gustav Muller leads Roanoke with 4 goals.
Coach speak: "The team unity is there, and I think we're starting to anticipate each other a lot cleaner. Now, it's just a matter of putting the puck in the net, and that's stuff we can work on. ... We just need the points this weekend."
— compiled by Tom Johnston
sports writer/golf editor
