Feature Story
Patterson’s return helping Riders in stretch run
By
Brian Lavelle
In the wake of a strong rookie season
with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders last year, Kent
Patterson seemed set to begin this season as one of the United States Hockey
League’s top goaltenders- but not everything went according to plan for the
native of
Patterson, who was selected by the
Colorado Avalanche in the fourth round of last June’s National Hockey League Entry
Draft with the 113th overall pick, last season finished second in the USHL in
save percentage (.913) and finished seventh in goals against average (2.91) and
wins (20).
After being named to the USHL All-Rookie
Team, Patterson was invited to compete for a spot on the
However, Patterson’s hopes of enjoying a
strong start to the season and perhaps representing his country took a
significant hit when he emerged from the evaluation camp with what seemed to be
a nagging groin injury, a problem that kept him out of the Rider lineup in
preseason and then through the start of the regular season. When the injury did
not respond to treatment, it was found that Patterson in fact had a sports
hernia and would require surgery. As a result, Patterson was placed on injured
reserve and, after a lengthy rehabilitation process, did not see his first game
action of the season until early December.
“Being hurt and missing all that time was
tough,” said Patterson. “But all the work I did rehabbing was really worth it
when I came back.”
Having watched the first 18 games of the
season from the stands, Patterson was, unsurprisingly, thrilled to finally make
his return to the lineup.
“Sitting out really made me appreciate it even more when I had the chance to get back
out there and help the team,” said Patterson. “Sometimes you maybe take it for
granted a little bit but when you’re not able to get out there for a while,
it’s that much more exciting when you’re finally able to start playing again.”
After understandably needing a few games
to get up to speed, it soon became apparent that the dependable Patterson who
excelled for the Riders last season was back. Patterson has continued to thrive
as the Riders have approached the stretch run of the regular season. He has
allowed two goals or fewer in four of his last five appearances as the Riders
battle it out for playoff position in the tightly packed East Division.
Working in Patterson’s favor is the fact
that the Riders have not needed him to carry the goaltending load on his
own. Like last year when he split time
with Richard Bachman – now a standout at Colorado College – Patterson has again
this season acted as one half of perhaps the top goaltending tandem in the
league as he has shared the Rider netminding duties
with first-year goalie Brady Hjelle.
The symbiotic relationship between the
two has been a boon for the Riders.
“
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