HARTIGAN SHUTS THE DOOR IN SHOOTOUT WIN OVER CUTTHROATS

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush and Denver Cutthroats were back in action on Saturday night, playing in their second game of their three-game-in-four-night set in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Both teams battled fiercely from the opening puck drop, and got into many scuffles as the game progressed. This game would go the distance, as 65 minutes would not be enough to break the deadlock between these two rivals, as the Rush would win 3-2 in a shootout, thanks to Keaton Hartigan’s stellar showing in the shootout round.

The Rush picked up where they left off, establishing the flow of the game early, but sparks would fly once again, as Rush forward Eric Giosa dropped the gloves early with Denver defenseman Nello Ferrara. Shortly after, The Cutthroats would ride the momentum from the scuffle and get on the board first, as Troy Schwab would score off of a turnover by Rush defenseman Bobby Preece, giving the Cutthroats a 1-0 lead nearly six and a half minutes into the game. The Rush would create a few more chances before the period ended, but the Cutthroats would put an exclamation point on their first twenty minutes. With 2.5 seconds left in the opening frame, Steve Kaunisto would rifle a shot by Keaton Hartigan to give the Cutthroats a 2-0 lead through the first period.

The second period would offer a basic summary of this rivalry, as the Rush looked to climb back into the game down two goals. Fortune would bounce their way, as the Rush would get on the board 5:14 into the second, with Justin Faryna piling onto his new career high in goals for his twelfth of the year off of a rebound in front to cut the Denver lead in half to 2-1. Then calamity would break out. Denver goalie Kent Patters would dive across his crease and successfully stop the puck. Commotion would ensue in front of his net, and some players from both teams would land on top of him. Taking advantage of the hustle and bustle was Konrad Reeder, who would bury the puck in an open net to tie the game at 2-2 midway through the second period. Afterwards though, a massive fight would break out, with 38 penalty minutes being assessed on the resulting fracas. No one would score from there, leading to a heated overtime session, where the Rush barely missed winning the game 47 seconds into the extra session when Jesse Schultz clanked the post. A shootout came upon Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Jared Brown scored first for the Rush, with Jesse Schultz scoring second on his attempt. The Cutthroats could not solve Hartigan, who held on to stop all four shooters, en route to a 3-2 Rush win.

Keaton Hartigan won his second shootout game for his sixth career win in ten appearances (6-4-0), recording 34 saves in the effort. Jared Brown is credited with the game-winning shootout goal, getting on the scoresheet in just his second game back off of injured reserve. With the win, the Rush have now defeated the Cutthroats in six consecutive games in this season series, with seven games remaining. Hartigan stopped all four shooters in the shootout round, marking the second time in which he has accomplished that feat, and has yet to allow a shootout goal in 8 attempts towards his net. Both teams combined for 82 penalty minutes on the game, the most in a game the Rush have been involved in this season. The Rush and Cutthroats will finish their three-game-in-four-night set on Monday night in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center at 7:05 MST.

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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