THREE POWER PLAY GOALS SLOW DOWN RUSH AGAINST SUNDOGS

(PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ) – Friday marked the second game in the three game in four night set between the Rapid City Rush and the Arizona Sundogs. With their ice painted with the names of breast cancer survivors, the Sundogs looked to win their ninth game in their last eleven, and their fourth straight overall over the Rush, who they defeated Wednesday morning. Behind three power play goals, the Sundogs would take the second game of the set in a 4-2 win over the Rush.

The intensity of the series escalated right off the bat, as returning Rush forward Kevin Harvey was involved in an altercation not even a minute and a half into the game. After the chippy play died down, the Sundogs would pick up where they left off on Wednesday, and ignited the goal lamp first in this rematch. 15:32 into the game, Bryan Cameron would score a power play goal on a screened Tim Boron to give the Sundogs the early 1-0 lead. The Sundogs would be awarded a penalty shot moments after their goal, but Tim Boron would deny Johan Ryd of the scoring opportunity. Despite having two power plays in the opening frame, the Rush would be unable to knot the game up, and would go to the locker rooms down 1-0.

The Sundogs had another strong second period, but it was filled with much calamity. There was a collision towards the net of Tim Boron in the Rush end where the net came off it’s moorings. It was originally ruled on the play that Arizona had scored, but that was quickly turned into a no goal call and a faceoff would come in the Rush zone. Seconds after that decision, a penalty shot was awarded to Kevin Baker of the Sundogs, but his attempt would clank off the penalty box. Kevin Baker would eventually score a power play goal following his missed penalty shot, and the Sundogs would take a 2-0 lead with 13:11 left in the second period. Rush defenseman Bobby Preece would go to the box for a roughing call with a fighting major The Sundogs would notch a third power play goal, this one from David Rutherford that would extend the Arizona lead to 3-0 with 3:04 left in the period.

The Rush would substitute Keaton Hartigan in for Tim Boron moments into the third period. Shortly after that though, Justin Faryna would get the Rush on the board in the most dramatic of fashions, eliminating the shutout. He skate past three Sundogs defenders and tuck the puck behind Andrew Engelage to cut into the deficit and make it a 3-1 game with 16:28 left in regulation. David Rutherford would counter with his second goal of the game moments later, the only even strength goal of the night for Arizona, going bar down on Hartigan to re-establish the Sundogs three-goal lead at 4-1. Jared Brown would score a power play goal for the Rush in the waning moments of regulation with 3:16 left, cutting the deficit in half to 4-2, giving the Rush a fighting chance towards the end. Despite the extra attacker and a flurry of opportunities, the Rush would be unable to even the score, and would fall to the Sundogs 4-2.

Tim Boron played 41:18 in his return to action, stopping 22 shots on the evening (19-6-0). Hartigan did not receive a decision, but did manage to stop 4 of the 5 shots thrown his way. The Rush were assessed 41 penalty minutes, the most in a single game this season. Fresh off of finishing a season with the Coventry Blaze in the EIHL, Kevin Harvey notched an assist on Faryna’s goal for his first point in his first game back in the CHL. Two penalty shots were awarded to the Sundogs, both unsuccessful. Both teams will conclude this three game in four night set tomorrow at Tim’s Toyota Center at 7:05 MST.

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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, February 19th, 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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