CHL Rapid City Rush

Vaskivuo Explodes for Rapid City's First Hat Trick as Rush Bury Bucks, 6-2

Published on December 17, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Laredo, TX) - Friday night's tilt at the Laredo Energy Arena displayed two of the hottest players for the Rapid City Rush in Mike Vaskivuo and Shawn Limpright. The pair combined for five goals, including Rapid City's first hat trick of the season by Vaskivuo, in a convincing 6-2 win over the Laredo Bucks. Vaskivuo set a team season high with five points and the Rush have now won four of their last five games, pulling them to within three points of first place in the Turner Conference. The team is back in action tomorrow against the Texas Brahmas in the final tilt of a four-game sweep through the Lone Star State.

Despite having the worst powerplay in the league, the Laredo Bucks picked the first goal of the game on their first chance of the evening. A defensive zone turnover allowed Erik Boisvert to center a pass to Matt Pierce who eventually found Joseph Harcharlik for the goal. The Rush came back with back-to-back goals from Shawn Limpright in the final six minutes of the period. The first came at 14:27 when Mike Vaskivuo led an odd-man rush that culminated in Limpright sliding a shot through the pads of Bucks goaltender Torrie Jung. Finally, with just thirteen seconds remaining in the period, Michael Couch fired a slapshot from the right point that was deflected in by Limpright from the right side of the net.

The Bucks began the second period by tying the game on a goal from Mark Nebus from the low slot, a play set up by Rusty Masters at the 2:45 mark. However, two straight goals by Vaskivuo regained the lead for the visiting Rush. The first came at 8:19 was assisted by defenseman Riley Weselowski and team captain Scott Wray. Then at 11:15, Jeff Kyrzakos set Vaskivuo up in the slot for a powerplay goal and 4-2 advantage heading into the third period.

Veteran forward Jeff Kyrzakos added to the lead with his ninth goal of the season at the 17:17 mark of the third before Vaskivuo added an empty net goal thirty seconds later to bring the game to its 6-2 final.

Vaskivuo's hat trick is the first of the season for the Rush and the eighth in franchise history while his five point effort sets a team season-high.

Veteran winger Shawn Limpright has seven goals in his last five games.

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.

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2011


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