CHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Fall To Thunder 4-1

Published on January 11, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Rapid City, SD) - The Rapid City Rush and the Wichita Thunder faced off in the second game of their doubleheader on Saturday night. The Rush were hoping to make it two in a row at home, and keep it perfect against the Thunder, but Wichita came away with a 4-1 victory.

The intensity between the two teams didn't diminish overnight as the squads didn't take long to drop the gloves in the first period. Kyle Sheen and Stan Yanchishyn both received fighting majors at 5:42 in the 1st period. Wichita would later tally the game's first goal at the 6:39 mark when Jason Duda finding the back of the net on a play assisted by Joel Hanson and Bryan Nathe.

The teams were nearly even in the shot column as Rapid City fired off 9 at Thunder netminder Krister Toews as Wichita sent 8 shots in at Miguel Beaudry. The period ended with the Thunder up, 1-0.

The second period was one to forget for the Rush. Only 3:26 into the period, Nathe found the back of the net for the Thunder, doubling their lead, 2-0. The Rush had a couple of powerplay opportunities, but those weren't able to translate into goals. Joel Hanson put another point on the board for Wichita at the 16:58 mark of the 2nd period. Hanson was assisted by Duda and Tony Okufany on the play. The Thunder ended the period up 3-0 on the Rapid City Rush.

Rapid City finally got on the board in the third period as Derek LeBlanc found the back of the net just 3:19 into the final period. LeBlanc was assisted by Joey Olson on the goal that found the Rush down 3-1. Wichita didn't respond to the goal until the end of the period as Scott Rozendal grabbed a shorthanded empty-net goal at the 19:24 mark in the period. The Rozendal goal was unassisted, and sealed the Thunder victory at 4-1.

Rapid City continued their struggles on the powerplay going scoreless on 11 powerplay chances while the Thunder were held scoreless on 7 chances. Final shots were 39-37 Rapid City with the edge. Joey Olson extended his point streak to now 4 games while Derek LeBlanc now has 7 points in his last 6 games.

The Rush will host the New Mexico Scorpions on January 16th and 17th as it will be the first time the two teams meet. On both Friday and Saturday the drop of the puck is scheduled for 7:05pm.

Other Rush News:

The Rapid City Rush would like to invite fans to "The Rush Hour with Coach Joe Ferras" live at Boston's every Tuesday at 7pm. Weekly giveaways include signed, game-used sticks, signed pucks and Miller Light gear.

For more information on Rapid City Rush Hockey, log onto www.RapidCityRush.com or contact the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825).

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2009


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