Short-handed goals give Rage win in home opener

Published on October 26, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release


Broomfield, Colo. - For the second straight year, the Rocky Mountain Rage hockey team played their home opener against the Tulsa Oilers. For the second straight year, the Rage came away with a win. Two short-handed goals by forwards Chip Dunleavy and Nathan Rosychuk helped the Rage to a 4-1 victory over the Oilers tonight at the Broomfield Event Center. Rocky Mountain is now 3-0-0 this season for the first three-game winning streak in Rage history and in first place in the Northwest Division. The Tulsa Oilers drop to 1-2-0 for fourth place in the Northwest Division.

Fans were greeted with a couple of noticeable changes on and off the ice at the Broomfield Event Center in the first period. First, Rocky Mountain Rage mascot, Rowdy Rage, unveiled his new, lean, muscular physique following an intense summer makeover. But more importantly, fans were introduced to 15 new faces in the Rage lineup.

Both teams came out strong in the first period, but two early power-plays propelled the Rage to be the dominant team throughout the first. Tulsa goaltender Kevin St. Pierre battled almost single-handedly, saving all 12 Rage shots on goal. Tulsa made six shots on the period, a season low for the team.

Just 11 seconds into the second period, a Tulsa defenseman collided with Rage defenseman Pat Sutton shattering the glass between the player benches. The pause in play did not break Rocky Mountain's focus however. Rage right winger Chip Dunleavy picked up a Tulsa turnover at center ice. He skated in with speed and fired the puck in net short-handed from the glove side of St. Pierre at 2:40. Trevor Weisgerber and goaltender Scott Reid assisted on the play.

Dunleavy earned his second point of the night and the season assisting on a goal by Colt King just over five minutes later giving the Rage a 2-0 lead.

The Rage had an opportunity to take a three goal lead when Tulsa's Paul Kelly and David Beauregard were called at 7:49 for slashing and interference, respectively. Tulsa killed off the 5-on-3 opportunity and Kelly picked up the puck immediately after being released from the penalty box. He earned a small breakaway and shot the puck under the stick side of Reid cutting Rocky Mountain's lead by one.

Rocky Mountain once again finished the period outshooting the Oilers 12-7.

In the third period, Rosychuk was called for a slashing penalty at 9:03, but the break proved to be worthwhile for the Rage winger. He returned to the ice and scored short-handed at 11:15 for a two-goal lead once again. Scott Wray and Tyler Butler assisted on the play.

Wray added an empty net goal in the final five seconds of regulation giving him a team-leading seven points in three games this season.

Tulsa went 0-4 and Rocky Mountain went 0-5 on the power-play.

The Rage returns to action tomorrow in game two of opening weekend when they play the Arizona Sundogs at the Broomfield Event Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Both games this weekend feature a Hat Trick Ticket Special, tomorrow is your last chance - buy three tickets at regular price and get one free. Single-game tickets range in price from $18-$43 per seat (parking included), and may be purchased through Ticketmaster. Log-on to www.Ticketmaster.com, call (303) 830-TIXS, or visit any Ticketmaster retail outlet.

Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also available for the 2007-08 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainRage.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2007


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