Cook's Goal with One Minute Remaining Lifts Rapid City to Weekend Sweep
February 14, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - In another thrilling battle on Saturday night, the Rapid City Rush completed a sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes with a 6-4 victory. The two teams battled back and forth and for the second straight game, the Rush came away with a come from behind win. Brendan Cook scored the game-winning goal with just one minute left in regulation and Rich Hansen posted his second straight three point effort to lead Rapid City. With the sweep, the Rush dealt the Jackalopes their first back-to-back losses of the season.
The Rush got the start they wanted this time as Brendan Cook sent in a low shot that was stopped by Juha Toivonen, but the rebound was backhanded home by Brendon Hodge just 1:42 into the period. The Jackalopes would answer back shortly thereafter on their first powerplay chance of the contest. Thirty seconds into the man-advantage, Mike Lesperance fired a wrist shot that was redirected home by Colin Circelli for the equalizer. Both sides remained quiet until a pair of late goals by the Jackalopes gave them a firm lead. With under four minutes left in the first, a centering attempt by Kory Karlander went off of a Rush skate and beat Battochio. Then at the 18:32 mark, Sebastien Thinel took advantage of a clear lane to the Rush goal and tucked a shot into the far side for a 3-1 lead.
For the second straight night, the Rush would come storming back, this in the second half of the middle frame. At the 10:30 mark of the second, Rapid City would pick up a powerplay goal from Rich Hansen who netted his 12th of the season. Cook slid the puck up top to Hodge who unloaded a one-timer on that that was deflected by Hansen to cut the lead in half. The Rush then tied it when Les Reaney's no-look backhand found Luke Erickson and a centering pass was tipped home by Scott Wray for his 299th career goal. On the play, both Reaney and Wray extended their point streaks to eight games. Just over three and a half minutes later, Rapid City would regain the lead with a powerplay goal from Derek LeBlanc, his second in as many games.
Near the midway point of the third period, Dominic Leveille deflected home a Philippe Plante shot to tie the game at four. It looked as though the game was headed to extra time, but a chance on net by both Wray and Reaney led to a rebound chance that was poked home by Brendan Cook for the game-winner with only one minute left. With 19 seconds left, Blaine Jarvis added an empty net goal to complete the 6-4 win.
Danny Battochio stopped 35 shots for his 20th win of the season while Juha Toivonen was dealt just his 4th regulation loss of the season. A night after giving up four powerplay goals, the Rush won the special teams battle as they went 2-for-6 on the powerplay while the Jacks finished the evening 1-for-6.
Tickets are still available for Tuesday's contest against the Colorado Eagles. Tuesday's game will feature a performance from America's Got Talent finalists, "Quick Change". One lucky Rush fan will receive round trip airfare to Las Vegas courtesy of Allegiant Air.
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- Shots From The Point - CHL
- Cook's Goal with One Minute Remaining Lifts Rapid City to Weekend Sweep - Rapid City Rush
- Jacks Lose, 6-4, to Rapid City - Odessa Jackalopes
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