Rush Sweep ECHL's Best
Published on November 18, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(TULSA, OK) - Zach Tolkinen provided the game-winner on a red-hot power play in the third period and Adam Morrison made 36 saves as the Rapid City Rush swept the ECHL's best team out of their own building, defeating the Tulsa Oilers 3-2 on Friday night.
Tulsa scored quickly to go up 1-0 in the first minute of the game. Just 28 seconds into his Oilers debut, newcomer Darik Angeli squeaked a rebound by Rush net-minder Adam Morrison after Phil Brewer was denied on a wrap-around attempt (Brewer and Eric Drapluk assisted on the goal). Countering Tulsa's early offense was the Rush power play in the latter stage of the opening frame. With 1:53 left in the first, and one minute gone by on the first Rush power play of the game, Josh MacDonald flipped a rebound off of Lindsay Spark's attempt by Oilers goaltender Colin Stevens to even the game at 1-1 (Sparks and Ryan Walters assisted).
In a stroke of coincidence, the Rush took the lead on a goal 28 seconds into the second frame. Anthony Collins dumped the puck into the corner of the Oilers zone, and Triston Grant retrieved the puck. Nearly parallel, if not on, the goal line, Grant flung the puck towards the net and it trickled by Stevens and in, giving the Rush a 2-1 lead that they would protect for the remainder of the frame (Collins earned the lone assist).
Tulsa tied the game early in the third period before Rush special teams came storming back. Jacob Poe evened things up for the home side when he fired a shot from the blue line that got deflected by a body and pushed past Morrison, tying the game at 2-2 with 18:16 left in the game (Shawn Bates and Adam Pleskach assisted). The even score was short lived, as the Rush power play provided the eventual game-winner. Less than a minute later, with 6 seconds gone by in their fourth man-advantage of the game, Zach Tolkinen fired a shot from the blue line that went off of Stevens and in, giving the vistors a 3-2 lead with 17:34 left in regulation (Sparks earned his second assist of the game, while Garrett Haar notched his first). With 1:34 left in regulation, the Oilers were awarded their final power play of the game, and pulled Stevens to make it a 6-on-4 advantage against the Rush penalty kill. The visitors, led by Morrison in net, stood tall, and killed off the final 94 seconds to hang on for the win and sweep of the ECHL's best team, 3-2.
Adam Morrison is 3/3 on starts with the Rush, earning his third straight win with 36 saves on 38 shots faced (3-0-0).
The Rush conclude their road trip with a visit to the two-time defending Kelly Cup Champion Allen Americans tomorrow night. Puck drop in the Allen Events Center is slated for 6:05 p.m. MST.
ECHL Stories from November 18, 2016
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- GAME RECAP: Gladiators Tie Game Late, Take 6-5 OT Win in Cincinnati - Atlanta Gladiators
- GAME REPORT: Oilers Edged by Rush 2-1 - Tulsa Oilers
- CORRECTION: Oilers Edged by Rush 3-2 - Tulsa Oilers
- STEELHEADS: Steelheads Fall to Admirals in OT - Idaho Steelheads
- Rush Sweep ECHL's Best - Rapid City Rush
- Game Recap: Dramatic Divisional Clash Swiped by Walleye in Shootout - Kalamazoo Wings
- Admirals Finally Earn First Home Victory - Norfolk Admirals
- Recap: Cyclones Drop Heartbreaker in Overtime - Cincinnati Cyclones
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- Mallards' Twentieth Season Commemorative Publication Recognizes Significant Players in Team History - Quad City Mallards
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- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
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