Rush Drop First Rematch of '10 Finals, 6-4 to Americans
October 30, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - Friday night marked the first meeting between the Rapid City Rush and Allen Americans since game 6 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals. The Americans took the first step to avenging the series loss with a 6-4 victory over the Rush in the first game of the weekend set. The two teams square off again tomorrow night at 7:05PM, tickets are still available.
The Rush got the start they were looking for, jumping out to a 2-0 lead just 6:04 into the first period. The first tally was picked up by Ryan Menei who fired a wrist shot to the top right corner on a feed from behind the net by Brendon Hodge. Scott Wray would then extend the Rush lead on a 2-on-1 that resulted in a slapshot tucked under the crossbar for the first shorthanded goal of the season for Rapid City. It took until the 15:31 mark, but the Americans would cut the lead in half on Justin DaCosta's wrist shot from the top of the circles, marking his second of the year. After 20 minutes, the Rush led 2-1 despite being outshot 21-14.
DaCosta's first period tally marked the first of three unanswered goals for the Americans. Dustin Donaghy answered Wray's goal with a shorthanded effort of his own at 10:14 of the second to knot the score. It was then Tobias Whelan who gave the Americans their first lead of the game with a powerplay goal at the 17:16 mark. The Rush would answer back 21 seconds later with Kevin Harvey finding the back of the net in his first game for Rapid City, tying the game at 3-3.
The Americans hot streak on the powerplay continued into the finals period as Colton Yellow Horn regained the lead at the 7:59 mark on a wrist shot the beat Danny Battochio over the glove. Jamie VanderVeeken, also appearing in his first game of the season, tied the game for the third time. The defenseman collected the puck at the left point and fired a wrist shot past a screened Chris Whitley to tie the game at 4-4 with less than 10 minutes remaining. The tie wouldn't last long as Bruce Graham picked up the third powerplay goal of the night for Allen just 44 seconds after VanderVeeken's tally. Americans captain Jarret Lukin would pick up a shorthanded, empty-net goal with just 14 seconds left to seal the 6-4 win.
Special teams were key as the Americans finished the night 3-for-7 on the powerplay while holding the Rush scoreless of four chances. In all, the Americans finished the night with five special teams goals.
Other Rush News:
Tickets for the 2010 - 11 Rush hockey season are on sale now. For more information, contact the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825) or email tickets@rapidcityrush.com
Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2010
- Mallards Rally Past Evansville in Overtime - Quad City Mallards
- Jackalopes Snap Skid with 4-2 Win over Laredo - Odessa Jackalopes
- Mavs lose to Mudbugs, 2-1 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Bucks Spooked in Odessa, Fall 4-2 - Laredo Bucks
- Pagliero, Killer Bees Shut Out RiverKings - Mississippi RiverKings
- DeCaro Stones Mavs as âBugs Increase Win Streak to Four - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Dayton Gems Hand PrairieThunder Their First Loss of the Season - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Magers, Thunder Stop Oilers - Wichita Thunder
- Pagliero Turns Away 40 In Bees' Win - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Gems Win Third Straight - Dayton Gems
- Sundogs Add Labelle, Waive Watson - Arizona Sundogs
- RiverKings Slug Past Missouri - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rush Drop First Rematch of '10 Finals, 6-4 to Americans - Rapid City Rush
- Sundogs Retire Former Player and Current Assistant Coach Chris Bartolone's No. 29 - Arizona Sundogs
- Brahmas Hand Sundogs 5-3 Loss with Three-Goal Third Period - Arizona Sundogs
- Brahmas Down 'Dogs in 5-3 Win - Fort Worth Brahmas
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.
