Menei's Hat Trick Powers Rush to 5-2 Triumph in Game One
Published on April 15, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center featured game one of the Turner Conference Semifinals between the Rapid City Rush and the Fort Wayne Komets. The âBattle of the Champions' began with Rapid City earning a 5-2 victory led by Ryan Menei's hat trick effort. Rapid City now leads the best-of-5 series 1-0 with game #2 slated for tomorrow night at the Civic Center. Tickets are still available.
Colt King potted the opening goal of the game, banging home a powerplay goal at the 8:23 mark of the first. Les Reaney fired a shot on net that was stopped by goaltender Nick Boucher, but the loose puck in between the pads was slammed home by King for his third of the playoffs. Then at the 12:01 mark, Ryan Menei was slid a pass aimed for Konrad Reeder at the goal mouth, but the pass was missed, fooling Boucher and beating him five-hole. The Rush took a commanding 3-0 lead when Menei struck for his second of the night, backhanding a shot home from the left side of the crease. The powerplay goal was scored with just 32 seconds left in the period.
The Komets were able to chip away at the lead, making it 3-1 by scoring the lone goal of the second period. The tally came from Colin Chaulk who finished an odd-man chance that was created by an ill-timed change by Rapid City.
In the final frame, Ryan Menei found the back of the net to complete the seventh hat trick in Rush history, and the second in the playoffs. Josh Beaulieu's pass to the bottom of the left circle was ripped home by Menei for the third hat trick of the season for the Rush. Colin Chaulk potted his second of the game for the Komets with a powerplay, extra attacker goal at 17:06. However, a second gamble didn't pay off for Fort Wayne as Dave Grimson sailed home an emptynet goal to seal the 5-2 win for the Rush.
Danny Battochio turned away 20 shots for his third win of the playoffs while Nick Boucher was dealt his first loss of the playoffs despite making 21 saves.
The Rush powerplay ended the night 2-for-9, marking the seventh straight game that the unit has found the twine.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2011
- Menei's Hat Trick Powers Rush to 5-2 Triumph in Game One - Rapid City Rush
- Eagles Shoot Past Mavs to Take 1-0 Series Lead - Colorado Eagles
- Oilers Take Game 1 on OT Powerplay Goal - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mavericks Fall to Eagles in Game One, 5-2 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Boardwalk Statue Dressed for Playoff Success - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Don Parsons and Stanley Cup Predictions Highlight Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Shots from the Point for April 15, 2011 - CHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
