Rush Score Four Unanswered Goals to Even Series
Published on May 1, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Allen, TX) - Facing adversity, the Rapid City Rush answered the call yet again, mounting a comeback in game 4 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals to even the series 2-2. Rapid City scored four unanswered goals, including three in the second period en route to a 4-2 victory on Friday night. The win now means that game 6 will be played on Tuesday, May 4th at 6:35pm at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tickets are available for that game.
For the second straight game, the Americans took a 2-0 lead in the first period, collecting a pair of powerplay goals on their first two chances. The first came just 2:43 into the first on a backdoor pass from Bruce Graham that was directed home by Justin Bowers for his 11th of the playoffs. Just 29 seconds later, the Americans would strike again, this time it was Graham's turn when he accepted a pass in the high slot and fired a wrist shot past Danny Battochio for the 2-0 lead.
It took nearly until the midway point of the second period for Rapid City to answer, but they did in a big way. Gio Flamminio sent a wrist shot in front that was deflected home by Derek LeBlanc for his 8th of the playoffs at the 9:21 mark. A few minutes later, Rapid City was awarded a 5-on-3 powerplay, and Brendon Hodge unloaded a cannon from the point that found the top-right corner to tie it. At the 17:10 mark, Les Reaney received an outlet pass from Brendon Cook, springing him on one with Scott Wray. Reaney decided to keep the puck and fire a snap shot five-hole past Whitley for the 3-2 lead heading into the intermission.
Capping off the scoring on the night was Jon Pelle, who collected his first goal in ten games when he picked up a pass from Brendon Hodge and put it in the open net as netminder Chris Whitley was down on the play.
Danny Battochio made 27 saves for his 10th win of the playoffs while Whitley was dealt the loss despite making 35 stops on the night. Rapid City gave up two powerplay goals on the first two chances, but then killed off the remaining four chances by the Americans. On the other end, the Rush powerplay ended the night 2-for-8, scoring multiple powerplay goals for the first time this post-season.
Game five is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:30pm MST.
The entire series schedule is as follows:
Ray Miron President's Cup Finals - Series "I" (best-of-7) Allen Americans vs. Rapid City Rush
Game 1 - Fri., Apr. 23 - Allen at Rapid City (Americans W 4-1, Lead Series 1-0) Game 2 - Sat., Apr. 24 - Allen at Rapid City (Rush OTW 5-4, Series Tied 1-1) Game 3 - Wed., Apr. 28 - Rapid City at Allen (Americans W 5-2, Lead Series 2-1) Game 4 - Fri., Apr. 30 - Rapid City at Allen (Rush W 4-2, Series Tied 2-2) Game 5 - Sat., May 1 - Rapid City at Allen, 7:30 Game 6 - Tue., May 4 - Allen at Rapid City, 6:35 *Game 7 - Fri., May 7 - Allen at Rapid City, 7:05
*if necessary All Times Local
Tickets are on sale now. Contact the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center at 1-800-GOT-MINE or gotmine.com. Playoff packages and discounted group rates are available through the Rush office at 605-716-PUCK (7825).
Central Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2010
- Americans drop Game Five to Rapid City, Rush lead finals 3-2 - Allen Americans
- Rapid City ties finals 2-2 with 4-2 win over Americans - Allen Americans
- Rush Score Four Unanswered Goals to Even Series - Rapid City Rush
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