RUSH SWEEP THUNDER IN REGULAR SEASON BEHIND GIOSAS SHOOTOUT WINNER

(WICHITA, KS) – For their second consecutive showdown, the Rapid City Rush and Wichita Thunder needed more than 60 minutes to decide a victor. In a back-and-forth affair in their final meeting of the regular season, the Rush would eventually hold on to win 4-3 in the shootout behind Eric Giosa’s game-winner in the sudden-death sixth round. The win gives the Rush their sixth point in their three road games played, and officially clinches them a playoff spot.

It would take 23:24 seconds to see a goal scored, but Rush captain Jesse Schultz would get things started in the game. In the opening minutes of the second, Schultz would follow his own rebound on a shot a flip a tear drop over sprawling Thunder goaltender David Brown to give the Rush a 1-0 lead for the third straight game. The Thunder would counter moments later, as Jarkko Leppanen scored his first goal in his CHL career right off a draw from the point to even the game at 1-1 with 8:16 left in the second period. The Rush would earn a power play with exactly two minutes left in the period, ensuring they were on the man-advantage for the rest of the middle frame. With exactly one second left in the period, Riley Weselowski ripped a shot that clanked off the post, but Winston Day Chief was there to send in the rebound to give his team a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.

The Thunder would rally back in the third, playing desperation hockey to save their playoff lives. 6:45 into the period, similar to Leppanen’s goal, Mike Wilson would tie the game at 2-2 off of a shot from a faceoff win sent past Wayne Savage. Moments later, the Thunder would receive their sixth power play of the game a Jared Brown was sent to the box for roughing behind the play, and the Thunder would take advantage. With just over half of the period left, Andrew Martens would score the power play goal in front of the net, giving the Thunder their first lead of the game at 3-2. The resilient playoff mode of the Rush would make an early appearance with now nine games left in the season, and they would come back and tie the game promptly. Jumping off of his blue line with 9:36 left in the game was Riley Weselowski, who buried a rebound in front of the net to tie the game for the Rush at 3-3, eventually forcing overtime. Both sides would see solid scoring chances, but eventually a shootout would befall us at INTRUST Bank Arena. Tomas Klempa and Jesse Schultz scored for their respective sides first, with Winston Day Chief giving the Rush a 2-1 shootout advantage through four rounds. Ian Lowe would tie the game up in his team’s final round, forcing a sudden death situation. Eric Giosa would cash-in on his opportunity, with Wayne Savage sealing the deal for his first win for the Rush.

Savage would stop 32 pucks, winning his first game in a Rush uniform and in his first appearance in the CHL this season (1-0-0). Eric Giosa records his second game-winning shootout goal, inching him closer to his 100th career regular season goal (98). With their performances tonight, Jesse Schultz, Jared Brown, and Eric Giosa increase their respective statistical streaks: Schultz now has a three-game goal-scoring streak and four-game point streak, Giosa has five-game assist and point streaks, and Jared Brown has a five-game point streak. The Rush sweep the Thunder in seven meetings this season, only taking their final two past 60 minutes, both of which were shootout victories. With their win, the Rush officially clinch a playoff spot for the Ray Miron President’s Cup playoffs. They’re back in action against the Missouri Mavericks on Tuesday night, time of the game is 6:05 MST.

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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