RUSH SOAR OVER EAGLES IN FIRST ECHL GAME

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

RUSH SOAR OVER EAGLES IN FIRST ECHL GAME

(RAPID CITY, SD) – Emotion filled Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, as the Rapid City Rush played their first game as a new member of the ECHL. The Colorado Eagles, long-time rivals of the Rush, looked to spoil the party, but an outstanding showing by the Rush power play earned them an incredible 5-1 win.

Looking to make a statement, the Rush came firing out of the gate, with their offensive efforts eventually leading to 2 goals on 13 shots. Scoring the first regular season ECHL goal in Rush history was Joey Sides, burning Doug Carr on stellar passes from Winston Day Chief and Jesse Schultz for his 100th career goal as a pro. His goal gave the Rush a 1-0 lead with 13:16 left in the first period, but the Rush would not stop there. Shortly after, Kyle Stroh received a warm welcome back from the Rush fans, tipping a pass from Scott Brannon into the backdoor to extend the Rush lead to 2-0 with less than two minutes to play in the opening frame.

In the final act of the game, the Rush continued their offensive dominance, and cashed in once more on the man-advantage. Dylan Clarke registered his first goal with the Rush on a second assist from Scott Brannon to cushion the Rush lead to 4-0 just over five and a half minutes into the period. Almost a minute later, Kyle Stroh rounded out the Rush scoring, notching his second goal of the night on the power play to give the Rush a commanding 5-0 lead. Unfortunately for the stellar play of Danny Battochio, the Eagles would get on the board thanks to Taylor Vause’ with just under half of the final period left, cashing in on an awkward bounce off the glass, resulting in the final score of 5-1, a statement win by the Rush.

Danny Battochio was stalwart in net, stopping all but one of the 25 shots thrown towards his net (1-0-0). Kyle Stroh led the scoring rally for the Rush with 2 goals, while three other Rush players finished with multiple point games: Sean Erickson (3 Ast), Landon Oslanski (2 Ast), and Dylan Clarke (G, Ast). The Rush power play finished 2/6 (33.3%), and the penalty kill negated both of Colorado’s power plays. Six fights occurred in the game, with four of them taking place within the last six minutes of the contest. Both teams will meet for the final time in the young season tomorrow night at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center at 7:05 p.m.

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