RAPID CITY HANDED FIRST LOSS OF SEASON, DESPITE SPIRITED 3RD PERIOD COMEBACK

(RAPID CITY, SD) – On Saturday night, the Rapid City Rush looked to make history against the Missouri Mavericks in a rematch of the last two unbeaten teams in the CHL. Rapid City was in pursuit of their eleventh consecutive win to start the CHL season, but their bid would be denied. Despite a heroic third period comeback led by Winston Day Chief and Jesse Schultz, the Rush would fall to the Missouri Mavericks behind Colt King’s two goal performance by a 3-2 score.

Establishing the pace of the game was a challenge for both teams in the first few shifts, but the Mavericks would find themselves early and strike first in the contest. 2:43 into the game, former Rush forward Colt King would bury a big rebound off of a shot taken by Trevor Kell to put the Mavericks up 1-0. The Rush defense was formidable after giving up the first goal, and had numerous chances to equalize the game, but just could not capitalize on their early opportunities. With less than twenty seconds left in the first period, the Rush would head a fantastic flurry of shots, with defenseman Ryan Palmer jumping in with a quality chance, but his shot would take a deflection and set up Missouri forward Sebastian Thinel with a breakaway. Thinel would be denied by Boron on the first shot, but would squeak the rebound by the reigning Goaltender of the Month and give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead with 8.6 seconds left before the first intermission.

The second period saw Rapid City build some momentum, but the Mavericks would be the beneficiaries of their first power play of the game 6:59 into the second. The Mavericks would prove why they own the second-best power play in the CHL, as Colt King would ignite the goal lamp for a second time on the evening with seven seconds left in the man-advantage to extend Missouri’s lead to 3-0 with 11:08 left in the second. Moments later, Rush defenseman Justin Sawyer would engage in a fight with Maverick forward Colt King in an attempt to get the Rush faithful and his fellow teammates back into the fight. Although Rapid City would not score, it most certainly gave them some momentum, as they gained some great offensive pressure towards the remaining moments of the middle frame. As the period would come to a close, the Rush would be awarded their second power play of the game as the clock reached triple zero, with two minutes of a man-advantage greeting them at the start of the third period.

As was said many times during the season to this point, the Rush may have been down but most certainly not out. Winston Day Chief would tip in a Riley Weselowski shot to put the Rush on the board and make the score 3-1 with 14:28 left in regulation. Rapid City would then be awarded a power play, and would capitalize on the man-advantage, giving life to the Rush and the 4,935 people occupying Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Jesse Schultz would bury a play created from Konrad Reeder and Jared Brown to cut the deficit to one goal with 4:21 left in the third. Rapid City would then be handed their best chance to tie the game, as they would be given a power play with 1:32 left in regulation, giving them a man-advantage for the remainder of the game. Tim Boron would shoot to the bench to give Rapid City a 6-on-4 advantage, but unfortunately the Rush would be unable to even the score, and would be handed their first loss of the season, 3-2. The Rush’s pursuit of CHL history would end at 10 games, a feat accomplished twice before.

Tim Boron was handed his first loss (9-1-0) after making 28 saves on the night. Jesse Schultz assist streak ended, but his point streak remains intact and is extended to seven games, along with Konrad Reeder’s point streak as well. Winston Day Chief scored his third goal in two games against the Mavericks, totaling for four points in the series.

Other Rush News:

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are available now by calling the Rush office at 716-7825.

Don’t forget to join Mark Binetti, “Voice of the Rush”, and Head Coach/GM Joe Ferras for “The Rush Hour with Coach Ferras”, presented by Miller Lite. The show returns to the air next Monday, November 18th, and will be held at 6 PM at H2O Bar and Grill. The show is broadcast on 100.3 The FOX, the official radio home of your Rapid City Rush.

Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.

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