Day 96: Rovers Race to Victory

The Rovers led wire to wire and took the checkered flag in Indy.




Indianapolis, IN (AP)

Finally done with the Vampyres for the time being, the Rovers were anxious to face some new opposition in the 500s. The trip to Indy proved to be a successful one, as they skated away with a 3-1 road win. Adam Hall's shorthanded goal opened the scoring in the first, and Cory Stillman added a second early in the middle period. Ramzi Abid answered as the third got underway, but Glen Murray stemmed any possible comeback with another shorthanded effort, this his 16th of the season. Martin Gerber stopped 23 of 24 shots for the win, while Jussi Markkanen made 29 saves in defeat.

The win maintained the status quo atop the division as the Mounties also won to keep their one point cushion over Baffin. The race stands at 69 pts to 68, each with 18 games remaining. The Rovers now face the third-place Capones in a pivotal home-and-home, with the first leg getting underway tonight in Iqaluit.

Notes: - Kris Draper left the game in the third period with a lower-body injury. It is not considered serious, but he will be a game-time decision for tonight's contest against the Capones.