Rush Game Notes: March 14, 2025 vs. Iowa Heartlanders
March 14, 2025 - ECHL (ECHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(RAPID CITY, S.D.)- The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, has won 13 of the last 16 and plays the middle game of its interdivision series against the Iowa Heartlanders. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MDT on Friday at The Monument Ice Arena.
LAST TIME OUT
Blake Bennett racked up a hat-trick, including the overtime winner, as the Rapid City Rush walked off the Iowa Heartlanders 4-3 last night. Bennett scored a 5-on-5 goal in the first period and a power play goal in the second, with a Deni Goure 5-on-3 strike sandwiched in-between. Rapid City built a 3-1 lead late in the second period. However, Iowa picked up late goals in the second and third to tie the game and force overtime. In the opening minute of overtime, Connor Murphy made a brilliant save on Andrew McLean, who was wide open in front of the net. After a battle for the loose puck, Blake Bennett was sprung on a breakaway down the center of the ice. Bennett dragged the puck across the crease, shifted to his backhand, and lifted a shot past Kyle McClellan to end the night.
HE IS INEVITABLE
Blake Bennett is already the hottest player in the ECHL, and yet, he seems to be getting better as his season has gone along. Bennett picked up his second hat-trick of the year and third overtime winner yesterday. He now has 22 goals and 37 points in 23 games. Six of his last eight games have been multi-point performances.
60 FOR THE CAPTAIN
Ryan Wagner assisted on all three of the Rush's goals during regulation for his third three-assist game of the season. Wagner reached the 60-point mark last night in his first season with Rapid City.
POWER PLAY BACK TO LIFE
After just one power play goal in the three-game series at Tahoe, the Rush struck twice on the man advantage last night. Rapid City's power play is 22.7% at home, the sixth-best mark in the ECHL.
KICKING THE EXTRA POINT
After not having much success in overtime early in the season, the Rush has found ways to win the extra points over the last month and a half. Rapid City has won five out of its last six games decided beyond regulation. Blake Bennett has three overtime winners by himself during that span.
THRILLERS WITH THE LANDERS
The Rush and Heartlanders have played some memorable games over the last few years. Rapid City has won six consecutive games in the series, including a New Year's Eve sweep in 2023. Only one of the nine head-to-head matchups has been decided by more than two goals.
The Rapid City Rush squares off with the Iowa Heartlanders on March 13th, 14th, and 15th at The Monument Ice Arena. Saturday, March 15th is Girls Night Out presented by Midco and Loyal Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. Secure your seats today and be a part of the action. Check out the 2024-25 promotional schedule for a list of all themed nights. Call the Rush front office at 605-716-7825 or visit www.rapidcityrush.com for more information.
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ECHL Stories from March 14, 2025
- Heartlanders Take 18 Shots in Third But Rush Get Go-Ahead Goal and Win, 4-2 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Royals Hold Annual $10,000 St. Hat-Trick's Challenge On St. Hat-Trick's Game, Series Finale Against Trois-Rivières - Reading Royals
- Tahoe Scores in Final Minute, Prevailing 2-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Home Point Streak Goes To Seven With Win Over Mavericks - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Grizzlies Get a Standings Point in 3-2 OT Loss at Wichita - Utah Grizzlies
- Three-Goal Third from Tulsa Dooms Bison - Bloomington Bison
- Bates' Hat Trick Paces Thunder to Overtime Win vs. Grizzlies - Wichita Thunder
- Home Point Streak Goes To Seven With Win Over Mavericks - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Mongo Scores Twice in Return, Royals' Nine-Game Point STreak Snapped in Series Opener Loss to Lions, 5-3 - Reading Royals
- Fuel Fall to Kalamazoo on Friday Night - Indy Fuel
- Worcester Thrills in 6-5 Overtime Win over Admirals - Worcester Railers HC
- Oilers Rip off Four Unanswered to Top Bison in First Ever Meeting - Tulsa Oilers
- Ambrosio Has 2-Point Night In Pro Debut Win Against Cincinnati - Toledo Walleye
- Cyclones Earn a Point But Fall in Overtime to Walleye - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Stingrays Clinch Spot in 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gauthier, Nailers Hold off Komets, 3-1 - Wheeling Nailers
- K-Wings Fuel up in Indy Friday - Kalamazoo Wings
- Komets Fall to Wheeling 3-1 - Fort Wayne Komets
- Lions Qualify for Playoffs with 5-3 Win in Reading - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Admirals Get A Point In Back-And-Forth Affair Against Worcester - Norfolk Admirals
- Mariners Take Down Thunder, 4-2 - Maine Mariners
- ECHL Transactions - March 14 - ECHL
- Utah Grizzlies Sign Forward Reilly Connors - Utah Grizzlies
- Rookie Defenseman Gormley Loaned to Thunder - Wichita Thunder
- Belleville Senators Recall Goaltender Michael Simpson; Acquire Defenseman Theo Calvas from Maine - Orlando Solar Bears
- Reece Vitelli Signs PTO with Manitoba Moose - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Ghost Pirates Sign Dwyer, Sullivan - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Thunder Sign Ferris State Forward Kaleb Ergang - Adirondack Thunder
- Cesana Recalled by Checkers - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Rush Deals Patrick Polino to Cincinnati, Receives Future Considerations - Rapid City Rush
- Matt Brown Loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley - Reading Royals
- Rush Game Notes: March 14, 2025 vs. Iowa Heartlanders - Rapid City Rush
- Game Day #58 - Lions de Trois-Rivières vs. Reading Royals - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Theo Calvas Traded to Orlando - Maine Mariners
- K-Wings Receive Forward Ben Berard on Loan from Abbotsford - Kalamazoo Wings
- Thunder Closes Season-Series Tonight with Grizzlies - Wichita Thunder
- Goaltender Ben Kraws Loaned to Steelheads from AHL's Texas Stars - Idaho Steelheads
- Bennett Caps off Hat-Trick with Overtime Winner over Iowa - Rapid City Rush
- Heartlanders Secure Point But Bennett's Hat Trick Wins It for Rush in OT, 4-3 - Iowa Heartlanders
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