CHL Rapid City Rush

Rapid City Starts 2009-10 Campaign With 3-2 Win

October 17, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Rapid City, SD) - Friday night was opening night for the Central Hockey League and the expansion Missouri Mavericks who played their first game in history. The Rapid City Rush spoiled the Mavericks debut, dealing them a 3-2 loss powered by one of Rapid City's biggest additions, Colt King.

The opening period was an even battle as both teams fired a total of 10 shots on net, but only one found its way in. At the 7:33 mark of the first, the Missouri Mavericks struck first as Carlyle Lewis notched a powerplay goal, the first goal in franchise history. Mark Van Vliet caught a streaking Lewis with a rink-wide pass and Lewis entered all alone from the right wing side in on Miguel Beaudry for the goal. Heading into the second, the Mavericks held a 1-0 lead.

The second period was a different one from Rapid City's standpoint, beginning with their first goal of the season. Evening up the game was newcomer Colt King who swept a rebound home on the powerplay, the assists going to Rich Hansen and Jon Pelle at the 11:22 mark. Exactly two minutes later, things got physical as a scrum led to a fight between Missouri's Karey Pieper and Rapid City's Jamie VanderVeeken. Keeping the energy in the building pumping, the Rush took their first lead of the game just over two minutes later. Another newcomer answered the call as Brendan Cook scored five-hole on Gorman with a breakaway chance created by a soft pass from Hansen. However, with just 63 seconds left in the frame, the Mavericks evened the score once again, this time Sam Bowles sent in a rebound for with another powerplay goal. That tally was set up by Sean Perkins and Chad Hinz. At the end of forty minutes, the teams were tied at two, with shots favoring Rapid City, 22-18.

In the final period, Rapid City's King stepped up once again, giving the Rush a 3-2 lead just 56 seconds in. Pelle would pick up his second assist as he fired a puck in from the hash marks on the right wing side and King was able to get a stick on the puck to redirect it home for the eventual game winner. Later in the period, Rapid City's Scott Wray squared off against Missouri's Tyler Fleck, both receiving fighting majors.

After the final buzzer, the Rush led in shots 35-26, while the Mavericks finished the night 2-for-5 on the powerplay, Rapid City 1-for-4. Over 4,600 fans were in attendance for tonight's season opener and tickets are still available for tomorrow's contest against Missouri, slated for 7:05.

Other Rush News:

Up next, the Rush will play the Arizona Sundogs on Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th at 7:05 PM. Tickets for these games are currently on sale, starting at $15 a seat. Visit the Rush website at www.RapidCityRush.com for more information on seats and pricing.

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are available as well. Call the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825) for more information. A limited number of premium club seats are available.

Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2009


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