02.11.2026 River Hawks Rewind

River Hawks Fans,

Over the weekend, the Grand Junction River Hawks hosted the Casper Warbirds for a three-game series that showcased depth, structure, resilience, and playoff-level execution. See the highlights below, and don't forget - we have a home game

THIS FRIDAY, February 13th vs. the Utah Outliers!

Game 1 - Friday, February 6 @ River City Sportplex

Grand Junction 5 | Casper 1

The River Hawks set the tone for the weekend immediately on Friday night with a composed and assertive performance. After Casper opened the scoring early, Grand Junction responded with five unanswered goals, taking full control of the game through pace, puck possession, and sustained offensive pressure.

The River Hawks tied the game midway through the first period when #9 Harrison Browning finished an even-strength chance at 9:12 from #28 Joey Ziska and #23 Reid Meinhart, and momentum fully swung in the 2nd frame as #19 Sami Kallionkieli scored at 19:10 with assists from #7 Ivan Janak and #81 Luke Pitrusu to give Grand Junction the lead and never looking back. The very next shift #6 Gavin Mears  netted a goal with helpers coming from #90 Gergo Schwartz and #7 Ivan Janak. A suffocating 3rd period was led by #8 Isaiah Yates when he scored the 4th goal for Grand Junction with assists by #25 Tibor Nemeth and #77 Tai Kontrec. In the last minute of play the River Hawks put an exclamation mark on the game when #Reid Meinhardt score with assists coming from #28 Joey Ziska and #7 Ivan Janak. 

Simon Zille – 11 for 12 Saves 91.6%

Game 2 - Saturday, February 7 @ River City Sportplex

Grand Junction 4 | Casper 1

Saturday night brought a playoff-style edge, with physical play, special-teams swings, and emotional intensity throughout. The River Hawks struck first on the power play when #9 Harrison Browning (#44 Gabe Iervella & #77 Tai Kontrec) buried a goal at 14:00 of the first period, setting the tone early. Just minutes later, Grand Junction doubled the lead with a momentum-changing shorthanded goal by #23 Reid Meinhardt (#21 Reid Taylor and #7 Ivan Janak) at 7:16, highlighting the team’s aggressive penalty-kill pressure.

Casper attempted to respond physically and emotionally, but the River Hawks stayed composed. In the second period, #90 Gergo Schwartz (#8 Isaiah Yates, and #25 Tibor Nemeth) extended the lead with an even-strength goal at 9:34, followed by #81 Luke Pitrusu (#17 Rayne Walsh & #21 Reid Taylor) finishing a strong offensive sequence at 4:56. Despite multiple scrums and penalties on both sides, Grand Junction managed the game effectively, defended well late, and closed out another convincing win.

Viggo Boston 21 for 21 Saves 100%

Game 3 - Sunday February 8 @ River City Sportplex

Grand Junction 3 | Casper 2 (OT)

Sunday afternoon delivered the most dramatic chapter of the series. Casper jumped out in front with a 2-1 lead going in the 3rd and final period, but the River Hawks stayed patient and methodical, trusting their structure and continuing to generate quality looks. Grand Junction opened their scoring when #81 Luke Pitrusu (#21 Reid Taylor & #17 Rayne Walsh) found the net at 2:07 of the first period, allowing the River Hawks to take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd period.

As the game wore on, the River Hawks’ persistence paid off late in regulation. The 3rd period saw the River Hawks net the tying goal of the game on the opening shift as #19 Sami Kallionkieli (#25 Tibor Nemeth & #8 Isaiah Yates) scored the tying goal at 19:41 of the third period. The remainder of the 3rd period seen both goal tenders play great. Into overtime the game went knotted at 2-2; puck support created the winning opportunity, and #8 Isaiah Yates sealed the comeback victory with the game-winner at 4:38 of overtime with a great pass coming from #19 Sami Kallionkieli and #25 Tibor Nemeth, completing a resilient finish to the weekend.

Simon Zille 24 for 26 Saves 92.3%

 HOME GAME This Friday - Get Ready

The three-game sweep reinforced a clear season-long trend between these two teams. Grand Junction has now won all six meetings against Casper this season, outscoring the Warbirds 30–6 overall. The River Hawks averaged 5.0 goals per game, allowed just 1.0 goal per game, and scored 25 of their 30 goals at even strength. 

Special teams continued to be a difference-maker, with the penalty kill operating at 95%, allowing only one power-play goal across 20 Casper opportunities. More importantly, the weekend showcased Grand Junction’s identity: depth scoring, disciplined structure, emotional control, and the ability to win games in multiple ways — whether pulling away early or grinding through adversity late.

Across three nights, the River Hawks didn’t just win the series — they set the standard in how to handle a divisional opponent in meaningful, playoff-style games.

It’s the next chapter of the River Hawks–Outliers rivalry. 

THIS WEEK at River City Sportplex.

Postseason implications on the line.

Expect high pace, high intensity. Circle the date. Bring the energy. Rivalry hockey is back!

Get Your Tickets!

HawkTalk will be in the Riverside Pub at 6:30PM this Wednesday.

Go beyond the ice each week with Head Coach Dustin Timm and River Hawks players as they share how the team prepares for upcoming match-ups, and competes at the NCDC level.

Can't watch live? Listen to the replay on our YouTube channel. 

We’re building a new blog-style section on our website to host every Game Day Rewind. Each recap will feature game-specific stats, averages, notes, game flow, and key insights into your River Hawks’ performance. 

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