41 SHOTS NOT ENOUGH AS RUSH FALL TO CUTTHROATS

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The three-game-in-four-night set ended on Monday night in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, as the Rapid City Rush and Denver Cutthroats met for the eighth time this season. With six matchups still on the horizon for both of these clubs, the Rush looked to extend their winning streak over their rivals to seven straight games. Denver would prevent that tally, and would pick up a huge two points on the Rush, winning by a 5-2 score, despite the Rush shooting 41 shots on net.

Denver started the scoring for the game 5:46 into the contest, as Daniel Barczuk would take advantage of an odd bounce in front of Keaton Hartigan’s net, finishing the play to give the Cutthroats a 1-0 lead. The Cutthroats power play, now second in the league, would find it’s former league-leading form, as Robin Soudek would score on a similar play on the man-advantage to give the Cutthroats a 2-0 lead with 11:32 left in the first. The Rush, unable to capitalize on many chances, would surrender a second consecutive power play goal exactly ten minutes later. With 1:32 left in the first, Garrett Bembridge would add to his league-leading goal total for his 30th of the season on the third Denver power play, extending the Cutthroats lead to 3-0 heading into the locker room. Following the third goal, Keaton Hartigan would be swapped out for John Griggs, newly acquired Rush goaltender.

Griggs had a tough start coming into the game, as he would surrender Daniel Barczuk’s second goal 52 seconds into the second period, with the Cutthroats jumping to a 4-0 lead. As the second period progressed, however, the Rush turned up the heat, and would ultimately rifle 20 shots in the middle frame. One of those shots happened to come off of the stick of Jared Brown, who sent a Justin Sawyer pass through to the net of Kent Patterson and over his shoulder, putting the Rush on the board 4-1 with 13:12 left in the second.

The Rush would continue to amp the pressure heading into the third period, but would be unable to capitalize on their numerous scoring chances, including six power plays over the course of the game. Not even two minutes into the final period, Garrett Bembridge would score his second of the night, re-establishing the Cutthroats lead at 5-1. Winston Day Chief would eventually score with 1:49 left in regulation, his 19th of the season, to adjust the score to 5-2, which would ultimately be the final score.

Keaton Hartigan takes the loss in the game, making 7 saves on 10 shots faced to move him to a 6-5-0 record on the season. John Griggs came in relief of Hartigan and stopped 7 shots as well, but faced one less than Hartigan in his 41:32 of playing time. With the loss, the Rush have fallen to the Cutthroats for the first time since November 27th, when the Cutthroats won 2-1 at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Rush lost their third game when firing 41 pucks on net, and also lost their tenth game of the season, becoming the last team in the league to record double-digit losses in the standings. Jared Brown scored for his second night in a row, and Justin Sawyer had 2 assists, good enough for his first multi-point game and his tenth point of the season. 54 penalty minutes were assessed in this game, with two fights breaking out between both teams. The Rush allowed two Denver power play goals for the first time since game one of this series, and conversely went 0/6 on their man-advantages. The Rush are back in action on Friday night, as they host the Wichita Thunder for the first time at home in their 6th Annual Pink at the Rink game, sponsored by the Dave Davis Agency.

Other Rush News:

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

The Rush’s 6th annual “Pink at the Rink” game, sponsored by Dave Davis Agency, is set for Friday, January 24th, as the Rush take on the Wichita Thunder. The team will be wearing specialty pink jerseys to be auctioned off at the conclusion of the game. All proceeds will go to the Rush Foundation, with a portion of the proceeds going to Rapid City Regional Health. If the team receives $10,000 in donations that night, the Rush players will get their heads shaved in an event sponsored by Great Clips on Monday, January 27th.

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 year on Monday, January13th, and will be held at 6 PM at Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar. 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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