CHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Double up RiverKings with 4-2 Victory

Published on November 13, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


Rapid City, SD - The Rapid City Rush struck in bunched on Friday night, toppling the Mississippi RiverKings in the first meeting of the season between the two squads. Derek LeBlanc and Ryan Menei scored goals just eleven seconds apart in the opening frame while Scott Wray and Kevin Harvey lit the lamp just 1:22 apart in the second. Rush goaltender Danny Battochio made 34 saves for his fifth win of the season.

Before the contest, Rush defenseman Riley Weselowski, along with the Rush Foundation, presented a check worth $4,500 to the Ryan Christian Love Fund. Ryan Christian, diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, is the daughter of Mississippi RiverKings forward Jeff Christian. Back in September, Weselowski took part in the annual Kroll's Diner Bismarck Marathon in an effort to raise funds for the Ryan Christian Love Fund.

The Rush would begin the scoring a pair of goals just eleven seconds apart, representing the fastest two goals in team history. The first came at 8:05 after Scott Wray stopped an outlet pass by the RiverKings and the rolling puck was picked up and rifled home by Derek LeBlanc for his 6th of the season. Eleven seconds later, Ryan Menei would also score his 6th marker of the season when he unloaded a wrist shot from the high slot to the top-right corner, giving Rapid City a 2-0 lead. The RiverKings would cut the lead in half with a powerplay goal from Matt Summers with just 31 seconds remaining, making it a 2-1 game after 20 minutes.

The Rush came out strong again in the second period, beginning with a powerplay goal 1:30 in. Good perimeter puck movement from Brendon Hodge to Derek LeBlanc led to a shot on net and Scott Wray sending the rebound home to double the lead. Just over a minute later, a defensive zone turnover by the RiverKings led to a chance for Hodge whose shot trickled below the goal line for Kevin Harvey to bounce a shot off of McNulty and in for the 4-1 advantage. After the Harvey goal, McNulty was replaced in net by Alexandre Pechurskiy for the remainder of the game. At 6:38, the RiverKings would get their first shorthanded goal of the season on a breakaway from Louis Dumont who rifled a slapshot over the glove of Battochio, making a 4-2 contest.

The RiverKings outshot the Rush 13-8 in the final period, but Danny Battochio remained solid in net as the Rush held on for the 4-2 victory.

Both teams had plenty of powerplay chances on the night with Mississippi going 1-for-8 and Rapid City finishing 1-for-7 on the night.

Kyle McNulty, who was dealt the loss, made 17 saves on 21 shots in nearly 23 minutes of action while Alexandre Pechurskiy turned away all 21 shots he faced. Danny Battochio stopped 34 of 36 for his fifth victory of the season.

The Rush now take on the Tulsa Oilers tomorrow, November 13th at 7:05PM in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tickets are still available for the game.

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2010


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.

OurSports Central