CHL Rapid City Rush

Zultek's Late Game Heroics Lift Rush Past Oilers

March 14, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Rapid City, SD) - The Rapid City Rush hosted the Tulsa Oilers on Friday the 13th at what was 70's Night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The contest was going to determine who won the season series as each team had two victories against each other. It looked as though the two teams with the most overtime losses were headed to extra time until Matt Zultek scored the game winner with under a minute left.

The game got off to an exciting start as Rapid City's Ryan Hand and Tulsa's Chris Kovalcik dropped the gloves off of the opening faceoff. The crowd would get back on their feet as rookie Jon Pelle netted his 20th of the season at 10:28. The Pelle goal was assisted by Luke Fritshaw and Rich Hansen and extended Pelle's point streak to five games. The Rush also dominated the shot column as they fired 13 shots at Oiler goaltender, Kevin St. Pierre while Rapid City's Lanny Ramage only saw six shots from Tulsa. The period ended with Rapid City maintaining their lead, 1-0.

The middle frame was an exciting one for the fans at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The period didn't start out the way the Rush wanted with Tulsa finding the back of the net first. Michel Beausoleil tallied the Oilers' first goal just 2 minutes into the period. Beausoleil was assisted by Jason Weitzel and Matt Maccarone on the play. The Oilers would add to that goal and take their first lead of the game with Brandon Hodge scoring his 20th of the season to make it 2-1. The Rush would respond lat in the period with a powerplay goal from Gio Flamminio's first powerplay goal of the season. Flamminio was assisted by Hansen, who picked up his second assist of the night, and Derek LeBlanc. The second period ended with the teams tied at, 2-2.

The third period kept everyone on the edge of their seats as the squads remained tied throughout most of the period. Rapid City and Tulsa lead the Central Hockey League with 8 overtime losses each and it seemed as though one team would make it 9. Matt Zultek had different plans as he sent in a rebound goal for Rapid City with just 47 seconds left. Zultek was assisted by Brady Olsen and Luke Fritshaw, solidifying the win for the Rush, 3-2. Picking up his 4th win was rookie Lanny Ramage, his last victory came back on February 21st , against the same Oilers squad. Rapid City continued their success on their penalty kill, stopping all five Oiler powerplays. The Rush went 1-for-7 on the man advantage and outshot the Oilers, 41-29.

The win marks the 20th of the season for the Rush in their inaugural season.

Next up for Rapid City is the Oklahoma City Blazers tomorrow, Saturday 14, at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center where everyone will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The Rush will be wearing specialty jerseys to be auctioned off at the end of the game. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m.

For more information on Rapid City Rush Hockey, log onto www.RapidCityRush.com or contact the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825).

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2009


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