Rush Game Notes: April 1, 2026 vs. Tulsa Oilers
ECHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Game Notes: April 1, 2026 vs. Tulsa Oilers

Published on April 1, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(RAPID CITY, S.D.)- The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, are alive in the playoff race and return home for a three-game series against the Tulsa Oilers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MDT on Wednesday at The Monument Ice Arena.

LAST TIME OUT

The Rapid City Rush picked up their fifth point of the weekend but fell to the Tahoe Knight Monsters in overtime, 5-4, at Tahoe Blue Event Center on Sunday. The first period was back-and-forth. The Rush scored 33 seconds into the game when Hunter Donohoe wristed home his first professional goal from the blue line. Ryan Wagner also buried in the first. The two teams traded blows and were tied, 2-2, after one. Ryan Chyzowski scored for the third consecutive game with a power play snipe in the opening minute of the second. Seth Fyten doubled the lead when he one-timed a feed from Braden Birnie. With the Rush in front, 4-2, Tahoe mounted a response in the final period. Luke Adam scored on the power play, then Casey Bailey tied the game with three minutes remaining. Rapid City did not record a shot on their only possession of overtime, and Mike O'Leary tipped in the game-winner to give the Knight Monsters the extra point.

THE CAPTAIN WASTES NO TIME

For the first time in his two years with the Rush, the team was without their captain. Ryan Wagner missed the first two games of the Tahoe series to be with his family in Wisconsin. His team did not miss a beat with a pair of road wins in his absence. Wagner flew back to Nevada late Saturday night and recorded a goal and an assist in his return.

LET CHYZ COOK

Ryan Chyzowski was a massive part of the Rush's five-point series at Tahoe. Chyzowski scored in all three games of the series for the first time this season, with two of those three on the power play. He also took 21 shots on goal, by far the most he's had in one weekend. The fifth-year pro is now only four goals back of the league lead with 28.

SAVE THAT PUCK!

First impressions are everything, and the two new guys shined for Rapid City in their first week with the team. Clay Hanus picked up his first professional point on Saturday, and Hunter Donohoe's blue-line slapshot just 33 seconds into Sunday's game gave the British Columbia native his first pro goal.

PAULS BACK, MURPHY UP

The Calgary Wranglers made a pair of transactions on Monday morning. Chase Pauls returns to the Rush after playing his first three Wranglers games in late March. His 20 points lead all Rapid City defensemen this season. Additionally, Calgary recalled goaltender Connor Murphy. Having no contracted goalies is not unfamiliar territory for the Rush this season, and they are prepared: Rico DiMatteo and Nathan Torchia will steer the ship between the pipes.

WELCOME, SEAN

Dave Smith and Peter Drikos have beefed up the defensive side of the puck with their post-college signings this season. The latest addition is Sean Strange, who signed earlier this week. The 6-foot-2, left-shot defenseman played collegiately at the University of Calgary.

ANOTHER POWER PLAY GOAL

The Rush's power play is riding a season-long streak with a goal in five consecutive games. With four of those five goals coming in close games, the man advantage has proven to be a relied-upon component of Rapid City's offense. The home fans will see Minnesota native Clay Hanus run the power play for the first time this week.

STILL ALIVE

While the late Tahoe comeback led to a three-point swing in the wrong direction, the Rush still gained three standings points against the team they're chasing and begin the month of April in playoff contention. Rapid City trails Tahoe by nine points with eight games remaining, plus one game in hand. The Knight Monsters are hosting Cincinnati- and head coach Riley Weselowski- this week.

REVENGE TOUR?

The Rush can keep their playoff hopes going by continuing to win games. They will need to do it against teams who, earlier in the season, picked up surprising series victories against Rapid City. Tulsa swept the Rush in Oklahoma a month ago, while Utah came to The Monument and took two out of three in late January.

The Rapid City Rush return home to face the Tulsa Oilers on April 1st, 3rd, and 4th at The Monument Ice Arena! We're rolling out the C of Red on Saturday, April 4th for Affiliation Night, presented by KT Connections. Head to www.rapidcityrush.com or call 605-716-7825 to secure your seats today.

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