Shorthanded Rush Prevail in Game Two; Take 2-0 Series Lead
April 16, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - The Rapid City Rush battled adversity in game two of the Turner Conference Semifinals against the Fort Wayne Komets, but earned a 4-3 win at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Rapid City's regular season leader in all major offensive statistics, Ryan Menei, was knocked out of the game early in the first. In addition, the CHL's leader in wins, Danny Battochio, was exited the game during the first intermission after an apparent injury. The Rush also faced a total of 10 powerplay chances from the Komets, but managed to battle back with a pair of third period goals for the 2-0 series lead. The Rush will now look to eliminate the Komets in the best-of-5 series on Wednesday night in Fort Wayne.
For the second straight night, the Rush got on the board first while on the powerplay. This time it was Les Reaney who had a pass from Andrew Smale ricochet off of his skate and past goaltender Nick Boucher. With less than 1:30 remaining in the period, the Komets bounced back when Kaleigh Schrock finished an odd-man rush with the pass coming from Dan Lapointe. The end of the first signaled the end of the game for Danny Battochio who left the game with an injury, making way for Tim Boron.
The Rush regained the lead with a goal just 23 seconds into the middle period. After a shot from Jesse Schultz was turned away, the rebound came free to Reaney who potted his second of the game. Collecting the second assist was defenseman Chris Eade who earned his first point in a Rush uniform. Fort Wayne then had the powerplay awaken, collecting back-to-back goals to take their first lead of the series. The first came at on a 5-on-3 chance and Sean O'Connor's cross-ice pass set up Matt Krug at the left faceoff circle with an open net for the tally. Then at 12:25, Colin Chaulk poured in his third of the weekend, tapping home a rebound that gave the Komets their first lead of the series, 3-2.
It took just 1:50 into the third period for the Rush to score the equalizer, the fourth powerplay goal of the series for the defending champs. The Rush took advantage of a broken stick when Dave Grimson's shot was stopped, but the rebound was slammed home by Colt King for his fourth of the postseason. King wouldn't stop there, picking up his second point of the night by setting up a shorthanded goal at the 13:58 mark. On a 2-on-1 chance, King broke down the right-wing side and slid a shot in on net that was partially blocked by Boucher, but the loose change was sent in by Josh Beaulieu. Beaulieu's goal was the first playoff goal of his career and served as the eventual game winner, propelling the Rush to a 4-3 decision.
With 20 saves through 40 minutes, Tim Boron moved to 2-0 in the playoffs and is now 11-2 overall for the Rush.
Both powerplays were on display in the penalty-filled game. Rapid City ended the night 2-for-7 on the man-advantage while Fort Wayne capitalized on two of ten opportunities.
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