Battochio Leads Rush to Twelfth Straight Win, 3-1 over Missouri
February 18, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Independence, MO) - The Rapid City Rush extended their win streak to twelve games on Friday night, earning a 3-1 victory triumph over the Missouri Mavericks at the Independence Events Center. Danny Battochio earned his eighth straight win and league-leading 23rd overall by making 31 saves on 32 shots. Konrad Reeder, Josh Beaulieu and Ryan Menei all found the twine to preserve Rapid City's three-point lead in the Turner Conference. The Rush now head home to face the Arizona Sundogs tomorrow at 7:05pm. Tickets are still available.
Despite owning the league's worst powerplay, the Missouri Mavericks lit the lamp just 2:29 into the game on their first chance of the contest. Todd Griffith slid a pass to Steven Later at the left point, and the defenseman was able to fire a slap shot through Danny Battochio for the lone goal of the period.
The second period yielded another early goal, this time it was the Rush who were able to even the score. Entering the Mavs zone on the left-wing side, Scott Wray slid a pass to the low slot where Konrad Reeder was there to slam it home for the tie.
After over thirty minutes with neither side finding the net, it took a defensive-zone miscue to break the tie. With the puck in their own end, the Mavs coughed up a puck to Josh Beaulieu who walked in alone and snapped a shot to the top-right corner to give the Rush their first lead of the game. In the final four minutes, the Mavericks powerplay went to work seeking the equalizer, but Rapid City's surging penalty kill was up to the task, preserving the lead. In the final minutes, Ryan Menei potted an empty-net goal to seal the 3-1 victory.
Danny Battochio stopped 31 shots for his league leading 23rd win of the season while all-star Robbie Nolan made 19 saves in the losing effort. The Rush have now won thirteen of their last fourteen games and nine straight on the road, the longest such streak in team history.
The Rush now take on the Arizona Sundogs, tomorrow, February 19th at 7:05pm at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tickets are still available for the game.
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