Rush Cap off 2010-11 Regular Season with Second Consecutive Conference Championship
Published on March 27, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Prescott Valley, AZ) - The Rapid City Rush (40-22-4) claimed their second consecutive conference crown with a 5-2 triumph over the Arizona Sundogs (25-31-10) on Saturday night. Rapid City's win gives the team back-to-back 40-win campaigns and also 20 road victories, a new franchise record. Ryan Menei led the Rush with three points on the night, giving him a final total of 87, setting a new Rush single-season record for points. Danny Battochio made 33 saves for his 30th win of the season, making him the only goaltender in the CHL to reach that plateau this year. The Turner Conference Regular Season Champions will now face the eighth-seed Dayton Gems in the first round of the 2011 CHL Playoffs.
The Sundogs got on the board just 14 seconds into the contest with the 11th goal of the season from Patrick Schafer. With less than 1:30 left in the first, the Rush evened the score with a blast from defenseman Dave Grimson, his first of two on the night.
The second period was all Rapid City, as the Rush rattled off three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead. Four minutes in, Scott Wray attempted a centering pass that caromed off of a Sundog skate and through Doug Groenestege for the 2-1 lead. The Rush doubled it at the 16:20 mark when Les Reaney followed his own shot and backhanded home a rebound for his 23rd of the year. Finally, with less than a minute left, Grimson netted his second of the game, tapping home a rebound from a Jesse Schultz shot to give the Rush full control heading into the third.
In the final period, the Sundogs stopped the bleeding at 6:28 when Craig Macdonald snapped home a wrister from the slot to make it 4-2. However, just 2:30 after the Macdonald goal, crisp passing on the powerplay between Jesse Schultz and Konrad Reeder set up Ryan Menei for a backdoor slam and the 5-2 final.
The Rush now square off against the Dayton Gems in games #1 & #2 of the Turner Conference Quarterfinals on Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2nd at 7:05pm at the RPCC. Tickets for the 2011 playoffs are available by calling the Rush office at 716-7825.
Other Rush News:
Playoff tickets for the 2011 postseason are now available. To purchase, call the Rush office at 716-7825.
Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2011
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- Thunder Announces Playoff Schedule, Will Face Mavs - Wichita Thunder
- Eagles' Opening Round Playoff Schedule Set - Colorado Eagles
- Mallards Open Playoffs Friday at Colorado - Quad City Mallards
- Dayton's drive to the championship starts in Rapid City - Dayton Gems
- Bucks Close out Season Today - Laredo Bucks
- Rush Cap off 2010-11 Regular Season with Second Consecutive Conference Championship - Rapid City Rush
- Sundogs Fall to Rush, 5-2, in Regular Season Finale - Arizona Sundogs
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