CHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Use Five Special Teams Goals To Silence Thunder 6-3

March 19, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Wichita, KS) - On Wednesday night, the Rapid City Rush played the final road game of their inaugural season as they faced the Wichita Thunder in the Kansas Coliseum. Rapid City would collect its 21st win of the season with the help of five special teams goals, including a league- high three shorthanded tallies.

In the opening minutes of the game, Wichita dominated in shots as Rush rookie goaltender Lanny Ramage kept his team in the game early. The Rush would reward their goaltender at the 6:35 mark as Jon Pelle was able to capitalize on a defensive zone turnover by the Thunder. For Pelle, it marked the 40th point of his rookie season, a goal assisted by R.G. Flath and Derek LeBlanc. Defenseman Luke Fritshaw would give Rapid City a 2-0 lead on the powerplay off of a shot from the point that trickled its way past Thunder netminder John Daigneau. The Rush would take the two-goal lead into the intermission as well as a 14-12 shot advantage.

In the second, Wichita would capitalize on a Rush turnover when Marc Belanger fired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Ramage to cut the lead in half less than three minutes in. Belanger's goal was the lone marker of the period as shots were fairly even with Rapid City holding the slight edge 14-13.

The third period did not start the way the Rush intended as Wichita collected two goals in under two minutes starting at the 7:15 mark. Cole Ruwe netted his first professional goal off of yet another defensive zone turnover by Rapid City. Wichita's leading scorer, Jason Duda sent home a rebound to give the Thunder their first lead of the game at the 9:09 mark. Rapid City would waste no time in evening up the score as R.G. Flath batted in a second effort shorthanded. The Rush would then score another shorthanded goal just 12 seconds later when off of the ensuing faceoff, Fritshaw sailed a wristshot from his own blueline that fooled Daigneau for the go-ahead goal. The Rush continued their offensive dominance with another special teams goal, this time it was Derek LeBlanc who caromed a shot off of a defenseman for the goal. Jon Pelle would add his fourth point of the game when he scored a shorthanded, empty net goal to seal the 6-3 victory for Rapid City.

After going 11 straight powerplays without a goal, the Rush went 2-for-7 on the man advantage.

Rapid City continued to improve on the penalty kill, holding the Thunder scoreless on 8 powerplays including a 5-on-3 in the first period. Rush netminder Lanny Ramage made 31 saves to pick up his fifth win of the season and second at the Kansas Coliseum. Ramage collected his first profession victory back on November 2nd on the road against the Thunder.The Rush now head home for the final two games of their inaugural season. The Rush host the Colorado Eagles both Friday and Saturday. Friday night's game will be the 1,000th regular season game for captain and player-assistant coach Mark DeSantis.

Other Rush News:

The Rapid City Rush will be playing a street hockey game against the winner and friends of the Coca-Cola "Coolest Kid on the Block" promotion. The game will take place in the Civic Center parking lot on Sunday, March 22nd , from 3-5pm.

For more information on Rapid City Rush Hockey, log onto www.RapidCityRush.comor contact the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825).

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2009


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