SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS
BATTOCHIO’S SHUT OUT STUNS MALLARDS AT HOME
(RAPID CITY, SD) – For the first time since April 16th, the Rapid City Rush and the Quad City Mallards faced off on the ice. The Mallards looked to handle the Rush in their home-opener, playing in their first game in the ECHL, but the Rush had a different plan at the drop of the puck. Behind the stellar goaltending of Danny Battochio, the Rush dominated for a full 60-minutes in what was a 3-0, 19-save shutout win for Battochio in his second game back with the Rush.
The Rush dominated the scoreless first period, firing 10 shots to the Mallards 3, and eventually their hard work would pay off. With 1:35 remaining in the frame, Joey Sides, Winston Day Chief, and Jesse Schultz combined for a highlight reel-worthy goal, as Schultz finished touch passes from Sides and Day Chief to give the Rush a 1-0 lead heading into the second intermission.
Looking to put away the Mallards for the first time since April 15th, the Rush came storming out of the gates to start the third period, and found offensive contribution from their youth. For his third goal of the season, Kyle Stroh would capitalize on a turnover started by Scott Brannon and Dylan Clarke and burn Parker Milner top shelf to give the Rush a 2-0 lead just 55 seconds into the frame. With 4:50 remaining in the game, at the conclusion of the fifth Rush power play of the night, Daniel Barczuk would take a diving pass from rookie Alex Szczechura and send it past Milner to give the Rush a 3-0 advantage, a count that would remain to the end of regulation thanks to Danny Battochio’s stellar goaltending.
In just his second game back with the Rush, Battochio earned a 19-save shutout for his second win in as many appearances (2-0-0). It took the Rush just three games this season to earn a shutout win, as opposed to 55 games last season. Kyle Stroh holds the team lead for goals after his strike in the third period gave him his third on the year. The Rush penalty kill remains perfect at 10/10 on the season, after stopping all three Mallards power plays in the game. Both teams square off again tomorrow night at 7:05 CST here in the iWireless Center in Moline.
Other Rush News:
Join Rush Nation for only $10 per game! Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details, and stay informed on all Rush happenings this summer 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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