Rush Miss Chances in Home Loss to Savannah
February 28, 2024 - ECHL (ECHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
Rapid City Rush's Matt Radomsky and Simon Boyko and Savannah Ghost Pirates' Nolan Valleau in action
(Rapid City Rush)
(RAPID CITY, S.D.) - The Rapid City Rush, proud affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, lost to the Savannah Ghost Pirates at home on Wednesday night by a score of 6-2.
The game marked the first meeting in history between the two teams, with Savannah holding the title as the newest ECHL team.
Brent Pederson opened the scoring for Savannah with his 14th goal of the season 10:52 into the opening period. Just 38 seconds later, Jordan Kaplan tapped home his 11th goal of the year to stretch the Ghost Pirates lead to two. Pederson and Kaplan would both score again in the game.
The second period was chance-filled for a Rush team that couldn't solve Jesper Vikman in net for Savannah. Vikman logged 30 saves in his sixth ECHL win this season in tonight's game.
Kaplan's second goal came after Nolan Valleau's shot ricocheted off a skate in front and bounced to Kaplan who potted it.
Just 25 seconds into the third period, the Rush found life on the Powerade powerplay when James Hardie rifled home a wrister to break the shutout. The goal marked the first time this season Rapid City has scored during the Murphy's Pub and Grill Minute of Madness.
However, the momentum was short-lived. Brent Pederson buried a wrist shot from the far circle to extend the Savannah lead to 4-1 and kick off a three-goal third period for Savannah.
Anthony Collins and Logan Drevitch would also tally goals in Savannah's offensive surge.
Blake Bennett added one more for the Rush to stay atop the Rush goal-scoring charts with 22 this season. The powerplay marker came with just 1:18 left and was set up by Alex Aleardi.
The Rush are now 20-31-2-0 this season, but after Utah's loss to Idaho, remain seven points out of the ECHL playoff picture.
Savannah remains in town to face the Rush again on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. during Weather Permitting Night presented by KOTA Territory News. Fans with a game ticket can arrive early to participate in a pre-game weather seminar featuring local meteorologists including KOTA Chief Meteorologist David Stradling.
Images from this story
 Rapid City Rush's Matt Radomsky and Simon Boyko and Savannah Ghost Pirates' Nolan Valleau in action |
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from February 28, 2024
- Rush Miss Chances in Home Loss to Savannah - Rapid City Rush
- Will Merchant's Late Power-Play Goal Lifts Idaho To Victory Over Utah, 3-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Admirals Score Three Unanswered En Route To Win Over Adirondack - Norfolk Admirals
- Mavericks Take Advantage Of Major Penalty To Come Back Against Oilers - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Fall to Admirals 3-1 - Adirondack Thunder
- Maier's Shutout Spoils Wheeling's Bid at Season Sweep - Wheeling Nailers
- Reece Vitelli Ties the Game Late, Grigals Stops 50 as Glads Win 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Transactions - February 28 - ECHL
- Beck Warm Goes Back to Barracuda - Wichita Thunder
- Grizzlies Gameday: Wednesday Rivalry Matchup in Boise - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Preview: February 28 vs Kansas City Mavericks - Tulsa Oilers
- Game Notes: February 28 - Savannah Ghost Pirates at Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Congrats Joe Fitzpatrick, You Are the Dano's Tequila Player for a Day Winner - Orlando Solar Bears
- Preview: Royals Host Nailers for Wild Wednesday Season Series Finale - Reading Royals
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.
