RoughRiders Vulcan-ize Chicago, 6-1

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jeff Costello does a leaping full body hurdle thing into the glass to celebrate goals. He did it again last night after getting Cedar Rapids on the board in the opening minute.

But, sorry, Jeff. You have to take a backseat to teammate Eric Robinson in the creativity department.

It was Star Trek Night, so after Robinson scored midway through the first period of a 6-1 trampling of Chicago before 3,465 fans, he took off one of his gloves, extended his hand skyward and gave everyone the Vulcan “Live Long and Prosper” salute.

Classic.

“Hope they didn’t think I flipped the crowd off because I was nervous about that,” Robinson said. “Actually our trainer Leo (Miller) told Bryce (Aneloski) about doing it, and Bryce told me. I guess it was whoever would get to it first.”

“Robby,” was all Riders Coach Mark Carlson could say, shaking his head as he was told what Robinson had done. The coach actually wondered if Robinson had an injury or equipment problem.

Despite getting home in the wee hours after a tough loss at Green Bay on Friday night, the Riders (18-15-2, 38 points) came out with a ton of jump, running to a 4-1 first-period lead on goals from Costello, Robinson, Aneloski and Zach Lehrke. Costello scored again (his team-high 19th) in the second period on a pretty deke move and roofed shot and Stephen Collins scored in the third on the power play.

Costello had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick: two goals, an assist and a fight he appeared to win. Lehrke finished with a goal, an assist and a plus-four, plus-minus rating.

Cedar Rapids plays today at Omaha for its last three-game weekend of the season.

“Maybe it was a little out of the ordinary that we came out with so much juice,” Robinson said. “But that’s a new chapter that’s starting to begin with this team. We’re starting to become more of a team, the definition of a team. It’s pretty exciting. I think everyone is vibing off of that. The energy and excitement you get from a team bonding is great.”

Cedar Rapids is 5-3 since the holiday break, with all three losses by a goal. It’s a team that has obviously improving players and a team mentality, developing a little more of a physical, stick-up-for-each-other thing as well.

“We’ve had good leadership,” said Carlson “It’s a day-by-day thing, but we’re starting to come together.”

Cedar Rapids outshot Chicago, 42-24, with Troy Grosenick getting the win in goal. Riders scratches were defenseman Andy Simpson and forwards Sam Warning and Stu Wilson.

Here’s the game boxscore:

http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1049056