Rush Lose Regular Season Finale in Overtime, 3-2
March 30, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(BRAMPTON, ON) - The Rapid City Rush and Brampton Beast once again needed more than sixty minutes to determine a winner in the last game of the regular season. In yet another back and forth affair, the Beast were able to help their playoff positioning with a big win over the Rush, 3-2 in overtime, behind Matt Williams' game-winner just 1:19 into the extra period.
It would take 21 minutes, but for the second game in a row, the Rush would jump out to the early lead. In just his second game back off of the IR, Rush captain Scott Wray unloaded a laser over the glove-side shoulder of Kris Westblom to give the Rush a 1-0 lead exactly one minute into the second period. The Beast would strike moments later, with Scott Howes feverishly slamming away at a rebound in front of Wayne Savage to tie the game at 1-1 with 12:17 left in the second period, a score that would carry over into the final period of the regular season. Towards the end of the second period, Steve Makway would miss an uncalled for slash on Jared Brown and follow it up with a punch to the back of Brown's head. Makway would be ejected and assessed a match penalty for intent to injure, along with a 2 minute minor for roughing and a five minute major for slashing.
The Rush would be unable to capitalize on their five-minute major power play, and a bad shift change for the Rush led to a Beast scoring opportunity. On a two-on-one break, Beast captain Calin Wild would finish on a pass and give the Beast their first lead of the game at 2-1 with 16:36 left in the game. Following the goal, the Rush would have to kill off a four-minute double-minor power play on a penalty assessed to Anthony Perdicaro. Not only would the Rush kill off the penalty, but in dramatic fashion, Jared Brown would tie the game up on a shorthanded goal with 4:15 left in the game to even things up at 2-2. Both teams would go to overtime for a consecutive night to end out the regular season.
1:19 into overtime, the Beast would win a faceoff in the Rush zone, and Matt Williams would errantly shoot the puck towards the net, which would deflect off of the leg of Bobby Preece and into the Rush net, giving the Beast the second point and their third straight win over the Rush by a 3-2 score.
Wayne Savage stopped 22 pucks, losing for the second time in overtime with the Rush in five games played (1-2-2). Jared Brown's game-tying shorthanded goal extended his goal scoring streak to six games, and his point streak to fourteen games, where he has scored 8 goals and 8 assists in that span. The Rush close out the regular season with three losses, the last two in overtime/shootout, and will play the Quad City Mallards in the first round of the playoffs. Game one is slated for Friday April 4th at 7:05 PM at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
Other Rush News:
Playoff tickets are now available for the 2013-14 postseason as the Rush gear up for their Rush for the Ray Miron President's Cup!! The Rush will play against the Quad City Mallards in Round One of the playoffs, so call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details on how to be in attendance and cheer the Rush on!!
Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.
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Central Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2014
- CHL Presidents' Cup Playoff Schedules Set - CHL
- Oilers Announce First Round Playoff Schedule - Tulsa Oilers
- Denver Cutthroats Will See Tulsa Oilers in First Round of Playoffs - Denver Cutthroats
- 5,218 Watch Mallards Close Regular Season with Fourth Straight Win - Quad City Mallards
- Mavericks Finish Regular Season with Franchise Record - Kansas City Mavericks
- Tulsa Falls to Denver in Finale, Locks up Seven Seed for Playoffs - Tulsa Oilers
- Americans Open Post-Season Wednesday Night against Brampton - Allen Americans
- Rush Lose Regular Season Finale in Overtime, 3-2 - Rapid City Rush
- Tulsa Oilers to Host Playoff Press Conference Monday, March 31 at 1:00pm - Tulsa Oilers
- Sundogs' Post-Season Schedule Announced - Arizona Sundogs
- Third Period Goals Lift Sundogs to 5-3 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Thunder Lose Final Regular Season Contest in Arizona - Wichita Thunder
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