RUSH TAKE CRUCIAL GAME FOUR WIN, EVEN SERIES AT 2-2

(MOLINE, IL) – With much time left in this back-and-forth series, the Rapid City Rush and Quad City Mallards picked up where they left off from Wednesday night in a Game 4 clash in the iWireless Center. The Rush, not necessarily on their heels, but with a cautious sense of urgency, took the game right back to the physical Mallards, set a hard tone early, and came out with an important win. Behind the 24 save performance of Wayne Savage, and an important power play goal, the Rush took a 3-1 win to even the series at 2-2.

For the second night in a row, the Rush would come out on top first, but this time they wouldn’t need an interesting circumstance to cash in. On their first power play of the game, Anthony Perdicaro, all by himself in the center slot, took a pass from Schultz off the near wall and buried it over Thomas Heemskerk, giving the Rush their first power play goal of the series and a 1-0 lead 7:37 into the game. The Rush offense, playing ferociously and physically in the opening period, would get a much needed boost from their transition game and some former Mallards in the process. Taking a neutral zone turnover was Bobby Preece, who hit Eric Giosa on the tape for a rocket that would go by Heemskerk for his first goal of the postseason to give the Rush a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

The Rush would maintain their physical play, but eventually the Mallards would force a rare lapse in the Rush defensive zone and cash in. Catching the defense running around was Thomas Frazee, who beat Wayne Savage in his first postseason appearance with the Rush to cut the Rush lead in half to 2-1 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second. The Rush would carry their lead into the third period, and would start the final act of the performance with some four-on-four hockey.

Not easing up for even a moment, the Rush took the remainder of the game back to the Mallards, and separated themselves for a big win. The fourth of five former Mallards to hit the scoresheet was Jared Brown, finishing a breakaway started on a chip pass by Brett Kostolansky and lead by Konrad Reeder, to extend the Rush lead to 3-1 with 12:54 left in the game. The Rush defense, and penalty kill for that matter, would hold on in the waning moments of the period to help the Rush take a big Game 4 win, evening the series at two games even.

Wayne Savage took his first win of the postseason, stopping 24 shots in the process (1-0). The Rush power play unit scored its first power play goal in twelve appearances, with Anthony Perdicaro scoring his first goal of the postseason on the aforementioned man-advantage. Four former Mallards out of five on the active Rush roster made the scoresheet: Jared Brown (G), Perdicaro (PPG), Giosa (G), and Bobby Preece on his birthday (Ast). The all-important Game 5 is set for tomorrow night at 6:05 MST, with the pregame show starting on 100.3 The FOX at 5:35 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.

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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