GAME PREVIEW: RUSH vs AMERICANS 1/4/14

Where We Left Off: Last night, the Rush resumed their season series against the defending CHL champions, the Allen Americans, concluding the road portion of this matchup. Both teams, picking up where they left off last time, played an extremely even game, but the difference was special teams. The Americans got on the board first with roughly 5 minutes left in the first, as Tyler Ludwig scored a power play goal on the Americans first man-advantage of the night to give his team the early 1-0 lead. The Rush, like they always do when they get knocked down, came right back. During a period of four-on-four hockey due to coincidental minor penalties, rookie defensemen Brett Kostolanksy scored his second professional goal on an incredible hustle play, burying a backhanded pass from Jesse Schultz to knot the game up at 1-1 going into the locker room. The Americans would receive another power play in the middle frame, and once again cash on the man-advantage. With three seconds left in his team’s power play, Daniel Tetrault would score on a shot from the point to put the defending champs up 2-1. The Rush, despite a five-on-three power play, and decent scoring chances with the extra-attacker in the final minute of regulation, could not even the score, and the Americans would go on to win 2-1, ending the Rush’s CHL-record streak of consecutive road wins at 12 games.

30 Rock – The key factor in just about every Rush win has been getting pucks to the net and registering quality shots on goal. When the Rush shoot between 30 and 39 times a game, the Rush are 14-1-0, a win percentage of .933. Conversely, when they shoot under that total, the Rush are 3-3-0 with a .500 win percentage. The season average for the Rush regarding shots on goal is 34.75 shots per game. Last night the Rush registered 29 shots on net.

Killing Me Softly – The Rush penalty kill has been on a downturn as of recently. In their last ten games, the Rush penalty kill has gone 22/33 (66.6%), having allowed a power play goal in seven consecutive games. The last time the Rush penalty kill went 100% in a game was against Quad City on 12/14.

Just One More… – In their 28 games played this season, the Rush have played in 15 one-goal games, just over half of their games played to date. When the game comes down to the wire, the Rush are 11-4 (they lost 2-1 last night).

Follow My Lead – The Rush, like most teams, operate well when carrying the lead during the course of a game. The Rush are undefeated when maintaining the lead after 20 minutes, posting a 13-0-0 record. They can also finish the job too, as they boast a 14-0-0 record when leading going into the final period.

NUMBER CRUNCH: vs the Americans – Let’s look at some numbers from the series on a whole to date:

· 3 – the number of one-goal games in the series. The Rush won the first two due to heroics late in the game, but the Americans took the lead into the third period and never looked back.

· 10% - the Rush power play against the Americans this season. The Rush went 0/3 last night against the defending champs, including a five-on-three man-advantage midway through the third period. The Rush are 1/10 in three games against Allen, with their lone tally coming on a five-on-three power play on 12/7.

· 4 (1) – the number of teams that have defeated the Rush. Allen has joined Missouri, Denver, and Quad City in this group.

· 4 (2) – the number of goals scored in the first period by the Rush in the series. The Rush have scored 7 goals against the Americans in three games, meaning 57% of the Rush’s scoring comes in the first 20 minutes.

We’re Going Streaking! – Two Rush players are carrying statistical streaks into tonight’s game against the Americans:

· Jesse Schultz – assists and points in his last seven games (G, 10 A, 11 Pts)

· Sean Erickson – assists and points in his last three games (4 A, 4 Pts)