LeBlanc's Overtime Goal Clinches Rapid City's First Playoff Berth With 3-2 Victory Over Eagles
February 27, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - On Saturday night, the Rush and Eagles found themselves in another thriller at the sold out Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. With another low-scoring affair heading into overtime, the Rush came out on top for the second straight game, this time 3-2. With two goals, including the game-winner, Derek LeBlanc served as the hero while Danny Battochio stopped 23 shots for his 23rd win of the season. The win not only ensures a playoff berth for the Rush, but it extends Rapid City's lead in the Northern Conference to two points.
The Eagles were the first to get on the board when Jay Birnie used the Rush defense as a screen and fired a wrist shot over the glove of Battochio for his 6th of the season. Birnie's goal was the lone tally of the opening frame and the Eagles had the edge in shots 11-9 through the first 20 minutes.
It would take nearly 20 minutes, but the Rush would answer back to tie the game in the second period. An outlet pass from Brendon Hodge set up an odd-man rush, and Derek LeBlanc held the puck until netminder Andrew Penner committed, allowing him to tuck a shot under the crossbar for the equalizer.
Early in the third, the Rush would take their first lead of the game off of the 25th goal of the season from Les Reaney. Reaney appeared to have lost the puck on several occasions, but continued to battle until he gained possession, split the defense, and slid home a backhander for the 2-1 lead. Less than four minutes later, the Eagles would fire right back, this time while shorthanded. A turnover just outside of the Eagles zone allowed Kevin Ulanski to break in all alone and sent a backhand shot past Battochio to make it 2-2.
Despite a number of chances for both sides, the goaltenders were on display once again as both Battochio and Penner traded amazing saves to force overtime.
Despite being shorthanded for the opening 36 seconds of overtime, the Rush came away with the first and only shot of the extra period. For the secod time in less than two weeks, Derek LeBlanc netted a game-winner against Colorado at the RPCC. This time it took 57 seconds as he corralled a loose puck along the Eagles bench, beat the defense and roofed a backhander to the top-right corner for the playoff clincher.
The two squads now head to Colorado for a 7:05pm game tomorrow at the Budweiser Events Center.
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Central Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2010
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