CHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Overcome Three-Goal Deficit in 4-3 Shootout Win in Arizona

March 26, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Prescott Valley, AZ) - The Rapid City Rush mounted a furious comeback to top the Arizona Sundogs in a shootout on Friday night. The Rush overcame a three-goal deficit to win 4-3 at Tim's Toyota Center, the largest come-from behind win of the season for Rapid City. Danny Battochio tied a Rush record with 49 saves in the win, keeping Rapid City in the race for the Turner Conference crown. The Rush and Sundogs faceoff again tomorrow at 8:05pm MST in the final game of the 2010-11 regular season.

The Sundogs scored the lone goal of the opening period, capitalizing on a full two-minute two-man advantage with five minutes left. Mark Kolanos' effort to keep the puck in allowed defenseman Brett Blatchford to fire a shot home from the left point.

Arizona kept up the pressure throughout the second period, extending their lead to three. The first tally came at 7:22 on a powerplay goal from Jamie VanderVeeken who blasted a slapshot to the top-left corner. It was then Luke Erickson's turn to find the twine, tapping home his own rebound with less than seven minutes left to give the Sundogs a 3-0 lead. Things only got worse for the Rush who shortly after the Erickson goal, gave up another powerplay chance. However, the tide began to turn with a shorthanded goal from captain Scott Wray. Wray accepted a pass from Konrad Reeder and was able to trickle a shot through the pads of Scott Reid, giving the Rush a breath of life.

The momentum carried over into the third period, and resulted in a goal just 39 seconds into the frame. A dump in by Dave Grimson took a odd bounce and the loose puck came to Colt King in the slot area for the easy shot home. Then at the 2:45 mark, King set up Derek LeBlanc in the high slot, and the winger snapped one past the blocker of Reid to tie the game at three.

From then on, both Danny Battochio and Scott Reid displayed strong goaltending, forcing the game into a shootout.

In the shootout, Danny Battochio turned away four of five attempts while both Ryan Menei and Josh Beaulieu converted to earn the 4-3 win for the Rush.

The shootout win is the second of the season for Rapid City and just the fourth time the Rush have won when trailing heading into the third period.

The next home games for the Rush will be in the playoffs and dates are yet to be determined. Tickets for the 2011 playoffs are available by calling the Rush office at 716-7825.

Other Rush News:

Playoff tickets for the 2011 postseason are now available. To purchase, call the Rush office at 716-7825.

Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2011


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