Rush Finish 2010 with 4-1 Loss to Thunder
December 31, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - On Friday night, the Rapid City Rush had their New Year's Eve celebration spoiled by the visiting Wichita Thunder who earned a 4-1 victory. The Thunder were able to pick up a pair of powerplay goals in the early going while Marc-Antoine Gelinas stopped 25 of 26 for his 12th win of the season. The Rush and Thunder battle again tomorrow at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in a game set for 7:05pm. Tickets are still available for the contest.
The opening period was all Thunder as visitors outshot the Rush 14-5 and scored a pair of powerplay goals for a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. While on a two-man advantage, Jesse Bennefield collected his team-leading 16th goal of the season when he sent home a rebound from the bottom of the left circle. The Thunder then doubled the lead at the 15:20 mark when Andrew Martens slid a back-door pass to Aaron Davis who slammed it home for his 10th of the season.
The Rush cut the lead in half just over six minutes into the second period on the sixth goal of the season from Brendon Hodge. After a cycle in the Wichita zone, Ryan Menei slid a centering pass to Hodge who tipped a shot past the blocker of Gelinas and in. Wichita regained the two-goal lead five minutes later on an even-strength goal from Lance Galbraith who unloaded a slapshot over the glove of Battochio.
Wichita would add to the lead and bring the game to its 4-1 final when AJ Gale finished a 2-on-1 rush for his 14th goal of the season.
The Rush and Thunder square off again tomorrow at 7:05pm. Tickets are still available for that game.
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