Reaney's Hat Trick Powers Rush To Sixth Straight Victory
Published on December 6, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - On Saturday night, Rush forward Les Reaney scored Rapid City's first-ever hat trick at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to lift the Rush over the Oilers, 6-3. Rapid City extended their winning streak to six games, the longest current streak in the CHL. The Rush now tie the Oilers for second place in the Northern Conference standings, trailing the Eagles by only two points.
Les Reaney would get the scoring started at the 5:12 mark of the opening frame on a play assisted by Blaine Jarvis and Clay Plume. Plume sent a rink-wide pass that found the tape of Jarvis who stopped just inside the offensive end and found a trailing Reaney who scored five-hole on Oiler netminder Marty Magers. However, late in the first, the Oilers would get a pair of powerplay goals from TJ Caig to gain their first lead of the game. The first was at 17:22 when Dan Reidel's shot went off of a body to Caig who snuck it home past Rush goaltender Miguel Beaudry. Then, just 1:18 later, Caig deflected a Derek Eastman shot home to make it a 2-1 Tulsa lead heading into the second.
The second frame would be all Rapid City as Reaney scored his second of the game just 35 seconds into the period. Reaney walked over the blue line and let a rocket go that went over the shoulder of Magers to tie the contest. Near the midway point of the stanza, Luke Erickson scored his fourth of the year off of a back door pass from Rich Hansen to give Rapid City the lead once again. Then at the 17:22 mark of the second, Reaney made history with his third goal that marked Rapid City's first hat trick at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Defenseman Gio Flamminio led the offensive charge for the Rush and feathered a saucer pass into the slot that Reaney redirected home to make it 4-2 after 40 minutes of play.
The Oilers would battle back to make it a one-goal game at the 7:31 mark of the final period. Sean Erickson blasted a slap shot five-hole for his first professional goal on a play assisted by Reidel and Rick Kozak. However, late in regulation, the Rush would pull away beginning with a powerplay goal from Scott Wray, his seventh goal of the season. Defenseman Jamie VanderVeeken fired a slapshot from the point that Wray was able to get a stick on and tip past Magers to make it 5-3. Finally, former Oiler Brendon Hodge netted an empty-net goal to seal the win for Rapid City, 6-3.
Leading the way for the Rush was Les Reaney who collected Rapid City's first four-point effort of the season (3g, 1a). Miguel Beaudry made 29 saves on 32 shots for his sixth win of the season (6-3-0). Rapid City entered the game with the #1 penalty kill in the league but gave up two powerplay goals on six chances while going 1-for-7 on the man-advantage. The Rush held the edge in final shots, 39-32.
The Rush now head to the road for their first game at the Independence Events Center to take on the Missouri Mavericks on Tuesday, December, 8th at 6:05 MST.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2009
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- Eagles Schneek Away With Shootout Win - Colorado Eagles
- Ofukany, Detulleo Clutch In Shootout Loss - Wichita Thunder
- Cooper Heroics Lead RiverKings Past Mavericks - Mississippi RiverKings
- Brahmas Buck 'Bugs 4-2 in Texas - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Reaney's Hat Trick Powers Rush To Sixth Straight Victory - Rapid City Rush
- Eagles Take First of Two in Wichita - Colorado Eagles
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