DESPITE SPIRITED COMEBACK, RUSH FALL TO AMERICANS 7-5

(RAPID CITY, SD) – In their final showdown of the regular season, the Rapid City Rush and the Allen Americans made sure that it was a game to remember for the sell-out crowd of Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. In a back-and-forth game that featured a six-goal third period, the Americans staved off a Rush comeback late to take a 7-5 win.

The Americans started off with the early advantage once again in this final meeting, cashing in on confusion coupled with Jamie Schaafsma scoring on an interesting bounce for the Texan vistors. The Americans appeared to be offsides on the play, and Schaafsma took advantage of the confusion, banking the puck off of Wayne Savage and in the Rush net to give the Americans a 1-0 start in consecutive nights. With just under six minutes left in the first, Tristin Llewellyn and Kevin Harvey would be called for penalties on the same play, resulting in a five-on-three advantage for the Americans. The Rush would stave off all but 12 seconds of the Allen two-man advantage, as Daniel Tetrault scored on a one-timer from the point to extend the Americans lead to 2-0 after one frame.

The Rush started to push back in the second period, chiseling into the Allen advantage. Sean Erickson put the Rush on the board to cut the deficit in half to 2-1, jumping from his blue line to slam home a rebound just 3:27 into the period. The Americans would answer right back though exactly 1:11 later, as Jamie Schaafsma scored on a four-on-three power play goal to re-establish his team’s two-goal lead at 3-1. The Rush would hack away at the deficit once again, with Scott Brannon tipping a shot from Tristin Llewellyn over the shoulder of Bryan Pitton to make the score 3-2 with 7:17 left in the second. Less than two and a half minutes later, however, Darryl Bootland would take a rebound in front of Wayne Savage, and unmarked, would once again give the Americans a two-goal lead at 4-2 heading into the third.

Under two minutes into the final act, Winston Day Chief would feverishly hack away at a rebound in front of the Allen net and eventually send it home, putting the Rush closer with a 4-3 score. After Jesse Schultz was stopped on a penalty shot by Bryan Pitton, Bruce Graham would yet again give the Americans a multi-goal lead at 5-3, scoring a power play goal with 12:34 left in the game. The Rush would surge shortly after, starting off with Sean Erickson’s second goal of the game, a power play goal, to put the Rush down one at 5-4 with 9:13 left in regulation. Exactly 4:44 later, Scott Brannon would send Rushmore Plaza Civic Center into pandemonium, rifling a shorthanded goal past Pitton to tie the game for the first time at 5-5. The Rush would unfortunately be called for a too many men on the ice minor, and 1:22 following the man-down tally, Brian McMillin would give the Americans their last lead of the game on the fourth power play goal for the Americans. With a 6-5 score, Spencer Asuchak would seal the game with an empty-netter, as the Rush lost 7-5 despite a valiant effort late in the game.

Wayne Savage received his second loss of the season, his first in regulation, stopping 23 shots in the process (1-1-1). Ten Rush players hit the postgame scoresheet, with Sean Erickson and Tristin Llewellyn leading the charge with three point nights (Erickson-2 G, A; Llewellyn-3 A). Scott Brannon scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game in the third, marking the second time he has done so this season. The Americans take the season series at 4-2, winning the last four games in the set. The Rush are back on Monday to play the Quad City Mallards for the final time in their six-game set, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 MST. The players will be wearing specialty jerseys to be auctioned off after the game for St. Patrick’s Day.

Other Rush News:

Playoff tickets are now available for the 2013-14 postseason as the Rush gear up for their Rush for the Ray Miron President’s Cup!! Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details.

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 on Wednesday March 19th for the FINAL TIME THIS REGULAR SEASON, 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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