MAVERICKS THREE GOALS IN THE FIRST 5:25 MINUTES BURNS RUSH FOR SERIES SPLIT

(INDEPENDENCE, MO) – Saturday marked the rematch of Friday night’s game between the Rapid City Rush and the Missouri Mavericks. The Mavericks looked to avenge their 7-3 loss last night, and they would do so in dominant fashion. Powered by three goals within the first five and a half minutes, the Mavericks would earn a series split, onto an eventual 5-1 win.

The Mavericks would come out of the gates blazing in the first period, scoring three goals in the first 5:25 of the game. Eric Castonguay started off the show for the Mavericks 1:26 into the period, getting past the Rush defense and beating rookie Rush goaltender Keaton Hartigan by his blocker to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. Moments later, on their first power play of the game, Andrew Courtney would make it a 2-0 game with 14:57 left in the first period. Exactly 23 seconds passed before the Mavericks would extend their lead and finish scoring for the first periodto, with Trevor Kell capitalizing on a turnover by Ryan Palmer in the Rush zone to give the Mavericks a 3-0 lead. The Rush would earn a power play later in the period, but would be unable to connect on the man-advantage, heading into the locker room staring down the barrel of a 3-0 deficit.

The Mavericks picked up where they left off in the second period, extending their lead over the Rush early in the period. With 14:50 left in the middle frame, John-Scott Dickson would score the second Maverick power play goal in as many man-advantages to broaden the Missouri lead to 4-0. Eventually, the Rush would get on the board and cut into the deficit. Winston Day Chief scored his 16th goal of the season, and his 10th since coming off the IR to put the Rush on the board, leaving the Mavericks with a 4-1 lead. The power play unit of the Mavericks would add one more tally to the scoresheet, as Andrew Courtney scored his second goal of the night on the third Mavericks power play, giving the home team a 5-1 lead heading into the third period, a lead and score that would remain unchanged for the remainder of the game.

Keaton Hartigan takes the loss, just his fourth of the season in eight appearances (4-4-0), making 6 saves on the night in 25:25 of playing time. The Rush suffer their worst loss of the season, at a 4 goal deficit, surpassing their 3-0 shutout loss suffered earlier this week against the Oilers. The Mavericks went 100% on the power play, capitalizing on all three power play opportunities on the night, the first time the Rush have allowed a team to go 100% on the man-advantage this season. With the split, the Rush still maintain their place at the top of the CHL standings, and Missouri takes their place in second place, jumping the Denver Cutthroats who were defeated tonight. The Rush are back in action next Friday as they begin a three game in four night set against their arch-rivals, the Denver Cutthroats.

Other Rush News:

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

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 Wednesday, January 22nd, 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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