Rush Strike Gold in Home Opener
November 29, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
RAPID CITY, S.D. - Rich Hansen and Miguel Beaudry lifted the Rapid City Rush to a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Eagles this afternoon, earning the Rush a victory in their home opener and the first professional game played in the state of South Dakota. Hansen had a pair of goals -- including the game-winner -- and Beaudry stopped all 26 of the shots he faced.
After a fantastic set of opening ceremonies -- complete with fireworks upon introductions -- the standing room-only crowd at the impressive new Rushmore Plaza Civic Center was hyped up for its team's first home game of the season, and they would not leave disappointed.
The Rush and Eagles skated to a fairly even first period, but it was Rapid City's Rich Hansen who got the first home goal in franchise history -- fittingly, on a quick rush -- when he beat Morgan Cey from between the circles. Blaine Jarvis picked up the assist with the pass that sprung Hansen down the slot.
After struggling in the past two second periods against the Eagles, the Rush stood toe-to-toe with Colorado this time. Both teams skated to an even period -- shots were nine for Rapid City, eight for Colorado -- as both goaltenders made some great saves to keep the score the same after the second 20 minutes of play.
Just 18 seconds into the final frame, Hansen made it 2-0 when he beat Cey 5-hole from low in the right circle after a turnover by the Eagles. And at 4:12, Jamie VanderVeeken extended the Rapid City lead after his slapshot from the left circle beat the Eagles' netminder. Derek LeBlanc put the icing on the cake just past the period's mid-point when he skated untouched at the left side of Colorado's net and buried a Jon Pelle rebound.
The Eagles' next game will come on Saturday, December 6 against the Rocky Mountain Rage.
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