Rush Continue To Pick Up Points, But Drop 5th Shootout Of The Year
February 20, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Hidalgo, TX) - For the fifth time this season, the Rapid City Rush dropped a shootout, this time at the hands of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. In the first and only meeting of the season between the two teams, the Rush earned at least a point for the 12th straight game and 15th consecutive road contest. Derek LeBlanc extended his goal scoring streak to five games while Danny Battochio remains unbeaten in regulation on the road.
Despite strong early play by the Bees, Rapid City would get on the board first at the 5:29 mark of the first. After Gio Flamminio's outlet pass was deflected by Luke Erickson over to Jamie VanderVeeken who fired a snapshot to the top right corner for his 10th of the season. With the goal, VanderVeeken becomes the 11th Rush player to reach double digit goals.
Nearly 20 minutes later, Zak McClellan blasted a shorthanded goal past Danny Battochio to even the game at one. At the 13:01 mark of the second, a cross-ice pass from Erickson found Derek LeBlanc who fired a one-timer home to regain the lead. The lead didn't last long as the Bees struck with a powerplay goal just 1:37 later. Taking advantage of a wide-open slot, Grant Goeckner-Zoeller fed Aaron Lee in front for the equalizer.
In the third, the Killer Bees would gain their first lead of the contest off of Sean Muncy's 12th of the season. Catching the Rush on a change, Goeckner-Zoeller dropped a pass to Muncy and the forward tucked the puck under the cross bar to make it 3-2 Rio Grande Valley. Near the midway point of the third, Blaine Jarvis accepted a pass from Rich Hansen and found the top right corner to tie the contest, 3-3.
With no scoring through the rest of the third and no one finding the game-winner in overtime, the Rush and Killer Bees headed to a shootout. Four of Rapid City's five shooters were denied by Andy Franck while Joel Irving's tally served as the game-winner, 4-3.
The Rush are now 1-5 in shootouts this season while the Killer Bees move to 6-6. With the shootout loss, the Rush now move their lead in the Northern Conference to five points. Danny Battochio is now 21-4-2 on the season and 9-0-2 on the road.
The Rush now travel to Corpus Christi for the first and only meeting of the year with the IceRays tomorrow at 6:45pm MST.
The next home game for the Rapid City Rush is Wednesday, February 24th against the Arizona Sundogs. Tickets are still available for that contest.
Other Rush News:
Flex Packs are available for as little as $160, call the Rush office to learn more. Quarter and Half Season Ticket passes are available starting at just $100.
Group tickets are available and start at $11. Groups of 15 or more receive two complimentary tickets to the same game. Contact the Rush office at 605.716.7825 for more information.
Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2010
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- Hockey Doubleheader Sunday Afternoon at the BOK Center - Tulsa Oilers
- Bucks Bounce Back With 5-1 Win - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings Seek Season Sweep Of Eagles Tonight - Mississippi RiverKings
- Parsons Jersey Retirement Ceremony Set For March 13th - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Have Quick Turnaround Today In Rio - Laredo Bucks
- Rush Continue To Pick Up Points, But Drop 5th Shootout Of The Year - Rapid City Rush
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