
Special Teams Propels Rush to 5-4 Triumph & Weekend Sweep of Gems
Published on October 30, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - The Rapid City Rush completed a weekend sweep of the Dayton Gems with a 5-4 victory at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on Saturday night. Rapid City's special teams units were the key as the powerplay finished the evening 3-for-5 and the penalty kill remained perfect on the season. The Rush are now 3-0-1 so far this season and embark on a four-game road trip before returning for a weekend set against the Fort Wayne Komets on November 11th and 12th. Tickets are still available for both games.
Scoring his third goal in as many games, Damian Surma collected the opening goal of the contest at the 11:11 mark of the opening period. After a strong forecheck by James Sanford that allowed Brandon Naurato to slide a pass to the right circle, Surma was able to snap a wrist-shot to the top corner for the 1-0 Gem lead. Four minutes later, Dayton's Matthew Larke stepped into a slapshot from the top of the left circle that was stopped by Rush netminder Tim Boron. Unfortunately for the Rush, the puck deflected off of Boron's glove and over his head where it was poked home by Charlie Townsend, doubling the Dayton lead.
The Rush came roaring back in the second period, collecting three unanswered goals, including a pair just 19 seconds apart. Anthony Perdicaro got the Rush on the board while on the powerplay, one-timing home a centering pass from Jesse Schultz. On the next shift, a flurry around the Gem net culminated in Derek Knowles sending a pass to the goal mouth from behind the net, deflecting off of a Dayton defenseman's skate and in. Then at the 10:18 mark, Jeff Kyrzakos benefited from a fortuitous bounce when he slid a pass to the low slot where the puck caromed off of a Dayton skate and into the cage for a 3-2 Rush lead. However, not to be outdone, the Gems made a run of their own at the end of the frame to regain the lead. At the 16:14 mark, Kyle Bochek found Charlie Townsend in the left circle, and the powerforward snapped a wrist shot to the top shelf. Finally, with less than two minutes remaining on the period, Nick Fanto slammed home a rebound off of a Chris Lipsett shot to give Dayton a 4-3 lead heading into the third.
It took the Rush just 55 seconds into the final period to tie the contest yet again. Konrad Reeder sped into the Gems zone and cut from the left wing to the high slot and sent a shot over the left pad of Bryan Hogan. Then at the 9:34 mark, Colin Circelli scored the game-winner when he stayed with the puck at the right side of the net and after numerous efforts, finally slid it home for the 5-4 win.
Other Rush News:
Season tickets for the 2011-12 season start at $412 and are available by calling (605) 716-PUCK (7825). Season ticket holders will receive complimentary tickets to both Rush preseason games as well as numerous other exclusive benefits.
Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.
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- Special Teams Propels Rush to 5-4 Triumph & Weekend Sweep of Gems - Rapid City Rush
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