FOUR-GOAL SURGE GIVES MALLARDS COMEBACK WIN OVER RUSH

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

FOUR-GOAL SURGE GIVES MALLARDS COMEBACK WIN OVER RUSH

(MOLINE, IL) – The Rapid City Rush played visitor to the Quad City Mallards for a second time this season, hoping to end their season-long three-game losing streak. The Mallards, undefeated in their last six games in regulation, found themselves down to the Rush entering the final 20 minutes, but rode back-to-back power play goals and a four-goal surge to extend their aforementioned streak to seven games, defeating the Rush 4-2 after 60 minutes.

Both teams carried their positive momentum from the scoreless first period into the second, with scoring chances coming in bunches for both sides. Eventually something would give way, and it was the Rush finding themselves on the scoreboard first for the first time in four games. At the conclusion of the Mallards third power play of the game, Jesse Schultz completed a long pass down the ice to a wide open Scott Brannon charging out of the penalty box. With only John Curry to beat, Brannon sent a shot off of his pads and in, giving the Rush a 1-0 advantage with 3:12 left in the second.

The Rush maintained their momentum heading into the final period, but it was the Mallards who would rally in the final moments to ultimately turn the tide. Adding to the Rush lead was Jake Hauswirth for his first of the season, scoring in the midst of four-on-four hockey to extend the Rush advantage to 2-0 with exactly 12 minutes left to play. The Mallards quickly countered on the power play that resulted in their favor as four-on-four hockey expired, with Nicholas Rioux scoring from the high-slot to cut the deficit in half to 2-1 with 10:23 left in the game. Almost three minutes later, the Mallards received a five-on-three power play, powering them to an equalizer. With 10 seconds remaining in the two-man advantage, Matt Duffy fired a one-timed shot by Danny Battochio, knotting the game up at 2-2 with 7:35 left in regulation. To make things worse for the Rush, the Mallards would cash-in on even strength hockey, as Justin Fox wrapped around the net and shot over a sprawling Battochio to give the Mallards their only lead of the game at 3-2 less than five minutes later. Finishing off the scoring rally for the home side was Nick Grasso, finishing a two-on-one rush with Antti Pusa to put the Rush away with a 4-2 final score.

Danny Battochio receives his sixth loss of the season, suffering a fifth straight defeat (4-6-1). Jake Hauswirth scores his first goal in a Rush uniform, giving him 4 points on the season (1G, 3 Ast). The Rush allowed the most goals this season in a single third period, and lost for the first time this season when leading after two (3-1-0). Both teams will square off again tomorrow night in the iWireless Center, with puck drop slated for 6:05 p.m. MST.

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.

######