Wray's Two-Goal Effort Propels Rush to Thrilling Comeback Win Over Gems
February 1, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Dayton, OH) - After trailing 3-0 in the second intermission, the Rapid City Rush mounted a furious comeback led by veteran captain Scott Wray who guided the team to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Dayton Gems on Tuesday night. The Rush scored three unanswered goals in the third period, including a tally with just 36 seconds left to force overtime and the eventual shootout. With back-to-back wins, the Rush have now tied the Quad City Mallards for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Turner Conference.
After a scoreless first period, the Gems collected a goal just twelve seconds into the middle frame, serving as the fasted goal to start a period against the Rush this season. After eluding a Rush defenseman, Brett Lutes made his way to the high slot and snapped a wrist shot to the top-left corner. Five minutes later, Tim Hartung elected to hold the puck on a 2-on-1 chance, backhanding a shot to the short side on Danny Battochio for the 2-0 lead. With seven minutes left in the period, Kyle Bochek scored off of a faceoff, slapping the draw forward for his sixth goal of the season.
The Rush began chipping away at the lead 8:10 into the third period when Scott Wray tapped home a rebound from just over the goal line, tying a season record for the Rush with goals in five-straight games. With less than four minutes left in regulation, Collin Circelli swept a rebound past Gems goaltender Larry Sterling for his seventh of the season and to pull the Rush to within one. With a powerplay in the final minutes, the Rush pulled Battochio for an extra attacker and 6-on-4 advantage, and the gamble paid off. After Shawn Limpright set up Riley Weselowski for a shot from the point, Wray was able to send in a rebound from the left side of the net for the equalizer with just 36 seconds left, forcing overtime.
After a scoreless overtime period, the squads headed to a shootout where Blake Forsyth scored on the first attempt and afterward, Gems goaltender Larry Sterling was ejected after protesting a call. Mark Sibbald entered in relief and allowed goals by Shawn Limpright and Konrad Reeder. On the other side, Danny Battochio allowed the first attempt by Tim Hartung, but then stopped three consecutive attempts to put an exclamation point on the comeback win.
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