DUBUQUE - The Dubuque Fighting Saints smashed the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 6-3, in the opening game of the USHL playoffs Tuesday night before 1,704 fans at the Mystique Ice Center.

Game 2 of the best-of-5 series will be played Friday night in Cedar Rapids.

The RoughRiders struck first Tuesday on a goal by Andrew Gaus at the 14:19 mark of the first period, but the Fighting Saints took control with four straight goals to grab a 4-1 lead in the second period before Cedar Rapids responded.

Jiri Fronk pulled Cedar Rapids within 4-2, but Dubuque scored two more goals for a 6-2 bulge.

Erik Foley scored the third goal for the RoughRiders with 3:08 left in the game.

Ryan Larkin got the call in goal for Cedar Rapids and was touched for all six goals.

RoughRiders     1  1  1 - 3
Dubuque         2  3  1 - 6

CR - Andrew Gaus (Joe Wegwerth, Dylan McLaughlin)
DUB - William Lagesson (Robby Jackson)
DUB - Jacob Benson (unassisted)
DUB - Dylan Gambrell (short handed) (Brett Boeing)
DUB - Willie Knierim (Hayden Shaw, Nate Sucese)
CR - Jiri Fronk (Dylan McLaughlin, Joe Wegwerth)
DUB - Hayden Shaw (Mitchell Smith, Evan Smith)
DUB - Brett Boeing (Hayden Shaw, Nate Sucese)
CR - Erik Foley (Andrew Gaus, Logan Von Ruden)