FOUR MULTI-POINT PERFORMANCES SEND RUSH INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS

(DENVER, CO) – Saturday marked a much anticipated rematch between the Denver Cutthroats and the Rapid City Rush. With so much potential history on the line, the Rush looked to build off of the momentum from their shootout win the night before over their rivals. 60 minutes would suffice tonight, as the Rush, behind four mutli-point performances, would sweep their rivals out of their building in a 6-5 win. The win propels the Rush into the annals of CHL history, not only becoming the fastest team to 20 wins (23 games played), but also by winning eleven straight road games.

The goal lamp was ignited early and often in the first four minutes of the period, with both teams trading goals back and forth. Scoring started just 1:11 into the game, as Winston Day Chief scored on a great hustle play, catching Denver goaltender Kieran Millan off his line on a wrap-around to give the Rush an early 1-0 lead. It would not last long, as the number one power play in the CHL would quickly go to work for the Cutthroats. Not even a minute into their first power play of the game, Daniel Barczuk would score his second goal as a Cutthroat to even the game at 1-1 with 17:34 left in the opening frame. Another power play would fall to the Cutthroats, and Garrett Bembridge would make the Rush pay for it, scoring his league leading 22nd goal of the year to give the Cutthroats a 2-1 lead. The Rush would answer back and tie the game up, as Jesse Schultz buried a rebound from the slot to tie the game at 2-2 with 7:57 left in the period. The second Rush goal would prompt a goaltending change by the Cutthroats, as Kieran Millan would be replaced by Kent Patterson, who would preserve the tie heading into the locker room session. The Cutthroats would go 2/2 on the power play in the first period.

The Rush power play, not having an opportunity in the first period, would get a multitude of chances to get on the scoresheet in the middle frame. Matt Ambroz would go to the box for a high-sticking call on Tristin Llewellyn, and would be assessed a double-minor, as the contact on the play caused Llewellyn to seek medical attention (he would return). Just as it looked as if the Rush would not capitalize, Scott Brannon would patiently skate the puck in the slot and rifle it past Patterson to give the Rush a power play goal and a 3-2 lead with 13:14 left in the middle act. Denver would counter once again, as Garrett Bembridge, leading an odd man charge down the ice, would find Troy Schwab for the score, tying the game at 3-3, a score that would stand for the remainder of the period and into the intermission.

The third period was a culmination of the entire game to this point. Déjà vu would be evident in the early moments as Winston Day Chief would catch Kent Patterson off his line again and effortlessly score his second goal of the game, giving the Rush an early 4-3 lead with 19:33 left in regulation. Shortly after, Winston Day Chief would be the catalyst of another Rush goal, finding Konrad Reeder open with plenty of space at center ice. Reeder would blaze by his defenders and fire a wrister past Patterson to give the Rush a comfortable 5-3 lead with 17:22 left in the final period. The Cutthroats, not going down without a fight, would make things interesting in the middle parts of the third. Tristin Llewellyn and Troy Schwab would go to the box for coincidental minors, giving us two minutes of four-on-four hockey. Cutthroats captain Aaron MacKenzie would get on the scoresheet and cut the deficit to 5-4 with 10:01 left in the game. Still in four-on-four hockey, Matt Glasser would follow up moments later with a goal to tie the game at 5-5 with 8:41 left in regulation. Hostilities would flare as the period progressed, and with 8:16 left in the game, Nick Schneider would go to the box, giving the Rush their seventh power play of the night. They would seize the opportunity, as Jesse Schultz would score a power play goal to retake the lead with 7:28 left in regulation. The lead would remain throughout the final moments of the period, signaling the eleventh consecutive road win for the Rush, which is now a CHL record in their name.

Tim Boron stopped 30 shots on the night for his 17th win of the season (17-3-0). Winston Day Chief had 2 goals and 2 assists for a 4 point night and a +3 rating, while Sean Erickson had a goal and 3 assists for a 4 point night as well. Konrad Reeder had a goal and 2 helpers and Jesse Schultz added the game-winning power play goal and an assist also. The win is Rapid City’s eleventh straight road win, now a CHL record, and with the win, the Rush also become the fastest team to 20 wins in league history, having only played 23 games. The Rush are back in action next Thursday, as they start a three game in three night set against the Missouri Mavericks back home at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Other Rush News:

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

Join Mark Binetti, “Voice of the Rush”, and Head Coach/GM Joe Ferras for “The Rush Hour with Head Coach Joe Ferras”, sponsored by Miller Lite on Wednesday, January 13th, 2014. Show starts at 6 PM at Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, and will be broadcast on 100.3 The FOX, the official radio home for 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 GooglePlay

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