Coverchuk and Ariat Texas Rattlers Defeated by Missouri Thunder in First-Ever Game of the PBR Team Series

CHEYENNE, Wy. – The Missouri Thunder made history Monday night, shutting out the Ariat Texas Rattlers to win the first-ever game of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series 89.25-0. As the game got underway, the intensity was on full display. Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) was first out for the Missouri Thunder, and Cody Coverchuk (Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada) prepared to be the first Ariat Texas Rattlers rider to nod his head in regular-season competition. While Alvidrez was dealt a swift 4.73-second buckoff by Light’s Out (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), Coverchuk’s out with Sugar Boom Boom (Cornwell Bucking Bulls/Circle G) was not as clear. Despite seemingly making the 8, the clock was stopped at the 3.16-second mark for an apparent slap, which stood upon review.

Thunder free agent Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) was quick to change the 0-0 scoreboard. Matched up with hard-bucking American Gangster (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), Salgado reached the requisite 8, awarded an 89.25-point score as the raucous Cheyenne Frontier Days crowd erupted in cheer. The Rattlers’ Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) was unable to answer, bested by Big Wave (Lone Star/Outlaw/Maynes/D&H Cattle Co.) in a heartbreaking 6.27 seconds. After both Cody Teel (College Station, Texas) and Clayton Sellars (Fruitland Park, Florida) for the Thunder and Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) and Ednelio Almeida (Cacoal, Brazl) for the Rattlers failed to make the 8, the fate of the game came down to two riders – Thunder first-round draft pick Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado) and newly minted Rattlers free agent Braidy Randolph (Jonestown, Pennsylvania). Fritzlan was unable to clinch the win for his team early, bucked off by Shake & Bake (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) in 3.55 seconds. As a result, the fate of the game rested in the hands of Randolph, making his PBR debut. The young gun, however, was unable to rise to the occasion, brought down early by Canadian-raised Moonlight Party (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) in 1.69 seconds.

As the action continues Tuesday, July 26, the Missouri Thunder will look to continue their momentum against the Nashville Stampede, while the Ariat Texas Rattlers will attempt to rebound when they face the Kansas City Outlaws. Canadian sensation Coverchuk will remain in the starting lineup for the Ariat Texas Rattlers, slated to take on Safety Meeting (Hruby/Kainz/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) as action continues Tuesday evening.

Coverchuk isn’t the only one competing at the historic first-ever PBR Team Series event. During the Monday evening performance, Coverchuk, along with Moonlight Party, were joined by fellow Canadian-raised bovine Norse God (Jane Clark/Gene Owen). The re-ride bull in the game between the Arizona Ridge Riders and Austin Gamblers, Norse God dispatched Ridge Riders’ Ross Freeman (Kountze, Texas) in 2.54 seconds to earn a 42.75-poitn bull score. Norse God will return to the bull pen Tuesday evening, matched up with the Missouri Thunder’s Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil).

During the second round of games, Saskatchewan sensation Blake Smith (Abbey, Saskatchewan) has earned a position in the starting lineup for the Austin Gamblers when they face the Oklahoma Freedom. Smith will face Sky Harbor (Wilks Ranch/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger).

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