ROANOKE, Va – Round one of the 2024 Presidents Cup Playoffs made it’s way to the Berglund Center Friday night. After a loss in game one on the road, the Rail Yard Dawgs were in a “must-win” situation in this best-of-three series. The Dawgs won 3-2, forcing a third game.
The Storm came out ready to protect their championship run. Quad City outshot the Dawgs early in the game. Storm goalie Brent Moran was a brick wall, and the Dawgs kept searching for a loose brick to get the puck through. The score going into the third period was 2-1, and that period belonged to the Dawgs. It was the power play goal from Stephen Alvo that evened up the score. 31 seconds later, Alex DiCarlo hammered a rebound into the net, for the 3-2 win.
Game three started with the Dawgs strong on the defense, keeping Quad City in check. After a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period, the Storm’s Logan Nelson found the net, for Quad City’s lone goal in the second period. The third period was all Dawgs. There were four Roanoke goals, including an empty netter from Billy Roche, assisted by goalie Austyn Roudebush. The crowd went wild after the C.J. Stubbs put the icing on top of the cake with the seventh goal. Roanoke now moves into Round two of the playoffs.
Check out this photo gallery from Inside the Rink’s Michele Hancock for highlights from the game.
