GAME PREVIEW: RUSH vs CHILL 12/31/13

Where We Left Off: Brooms in the Closet – Last weekend, the Rush played in their toughest series yet, as they took on the Missouri Mavericks right after Christmas in their first three game in three night set of the season. Each game was a back and forth affair, with each team trading goals left and right as the allotted sixty minutes progressed. At the end of the first two games though, the Mavericks would defeat the Rush by 4-2 and 4-3 scores, inching ever so closer to the Rush’s first place position in the CHL standings. But Saturday would arrive, and the Rush would avoid the sweep at home behind a firework-filled third period. The Rush would go down early for the second time in the series, but would eventually tie the game early thanks to Justin Faryna, and later take the lead on Konrad Reeder’s power play goal to close the first period. Matt Larke would add to the Rush lead, and eventually take a 3-2 lead into the final 20 minutes, and from there, things got out of hand. Halfway through the period, Winston Day Chief would put the Rush up even further, followed by Reeder’s and Faryna’s second goals of the evening to give the Rush a 6-2 lead. The Mavericks would answer with two quick goals to cut it down to 6-4 late, but Rush captain Scott Wray would seal things with an empty-netter to give the Rush a 7-4 win, avoiding what could have been their first sweep at home.

Let’s Extend Things Further – Two weekends ago, the Rapid City Rush set a new CHL record having won 11 consecutive home games. They are on the road for three games this week (tonight against St. Charles, followed by Allen on Friday and Saturday), looking to extend their record dominance on the road. The Rush are the last remaining team in the CHL that is undefeated away from home (11-0).

66% The Way There – This is the second time the Rush take on the St. Charles Chill this season, with only one more matchup looming in February back in Rapid City. The Rush play the Chill the least amount of times of any of their opponents in the league at 3 games. The last time the Rush played the Chill was in Rapid City earlier this month, and they won in their most dominating performance of the year by a 7-2 score.

Auld Lang Syne – Every year the Rush have had a game on New Year’s Eve. Let’s look at the numbers over the years:

· The Rush are 4-1 in games ending the 365 day cycle, with their only loss coming at home to the Wichita Thunder in 2010 (Rush lost 4-1)

· This is the second season in which the Rush are on the road for their New Year’s Eve game. The last time was back in 2009, where they beat the Amarillo Gorillas 6-5 in a shootout.

· The Rush have played in two shootout games on New Year’s Eve, both wins, against the Amarillo Gorillas and the Denver Cutthroats (last season, 3-2 win).

· The Rush have outscored their opponents 20-15 on December 31st.

Number Crunch: The Season So Far – For this Number Crunch, I thought a recap of some interesting statistics to this point would be interesting, as well as highlighting certain milestones and accomplishments. Here’s what I dug up:

· 104/304 – Scott Wray’s career goal total for both the Rush and the CHL. On November 1st, Scott became the fifth player to score 300 goals in CHL history. That same goal also happened to be his 100th in a Rush uniform. Still to this day, Wray has yet to miss a Rush game.

· 14 – Konrad Reeder’s hat trick against St. Charles on December 10th. Reeder completed the 14th hat trick in team history with less than two minutes to play in the game, rifling a one-timer from the back door for a power play goal.

· 15 – Jesse Schultz’ point streak from earlier this year. His mark of 15 consecutive games is still a high in the CHL.

· 3 – Tim Boron’s consecutive CHL Goaltender of the Month awards. Boron becomes the first goalie in league history to accomplish the feat, dating back to March of the 2012/2013 season. He is on a tear this year, as he leads the CHL in just about every major goaltending statistic, including Wins (18), GAA (2.21) and SV % (.929).

· 61 – the number of goals the Rush have allowed this season, ranking as the lowest total in the CHL.

· 433 – the number of PIM assessed to the Rush so far. They are the least penalized team in the league.

· 53 – the number of consecutive days in which the Rush have maintained first place in the CHL.

We’re Going Streaking! – Three Rush players are carrying statistical streaks into tonight’s game against the Chill (and possibly the New Year too):

· Jesse Schultz – assists and points in his last six games (G, 7 A, 8 Pts)

· Konrad Reeder – points in his last six games (6 G, 5 A, 11 Pts)

· Winston Day Chief – assists and points in his last four games (4 G, 5 A, 9 Pts)