Rush Score Five Unanswered to Top Gems 5-4 in Game #1
April 1, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - On Friday night, the Dayton Gems visited the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center for the first time in game one of the CHL's opening round series. The Gems scored the game's first three goals before the Rush roared back with five unanswered to take a 5-4 decision and 1-0 series lead. Tim Boron made 34 saves for the victory while Les Reaney scored a pair of goals, one of four multi-point efforts for Rapid City. The two teams are back at it tomorrow night at 7:05pm in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tickets are still available.
After weathering an early storm, the Gems turned the tide and exploded for three unanswered goals in just 1:53. The first came 12:20 into the contest on a powerplay goal from Brandon Naurato that was set up by Tim Hartung. The Gems doubled the lead when Chris Lipsett's drop pass set up Damian Surma for a slap shot from the slot. Just 16 seconds later, Jonathan Ornelas flicked home a loose puck from the top of the crease to give the Gems a 3-0 lead just 14:13 into the game. Ornelas' goal marked the end of the game for Rush goaltender Danny Battochio who was relieved by Tim Boron. The Rush finally stopped the bleeding and were given life with a goal from Les Reaney with 2:03 remaining in the period. After a flurry on net, Reaney prodded a puck loose and over the goal line, making it 3-1 after the first period.
The second period was all Rapid City, with the Rush tying a season record with four goals in the frame. The Rush netted three goals in a 3:24 span to take their first lead of the series. The first came at 2:05 when Konrad Reeder's blind backhand pass found Andrew Smale on the back door for the defenseman's 100th career point. A minute and a half later, Kevin Harvey's centering pass was driven home by Colt King from the slot, tying the game at three. At 5:29, while on the powerplay, Derek LeBlanc ripped a shot off the post that was poked home by Reaney for his second of the game to give the Rush their first lead. Finally, the Rush potted their third powerplay goal of the game with just one second left in the period. Vladimir Hartinger fired a slapshot from the point that was deflected past Derek MacIntyre to give the Rush a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes.
The Gems didn't go down without a fight, cutting the lead in half 7:30 into the final period. Nick Canzanello took advantage of a broken play, snapping a wrist shot to the top-left corner, making it 5-4. Despite being outshot 19-6 in the third period, and facing an extra attacker, the Rush held on to draw first blood in the series.
The Rush were a very impressive 3-for-5 on the powerplay while the penalty kill stifled the final five chances for the Gems.
The two teams are back at it tomorrow night at 7:05pm in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tickets are still available.
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