SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS
RUSH BLANKED FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON, LOSE SEVENTH STRAIGHT
(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush and the Brampton Beast rekindled their season series with a second matchup in three nights at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Looking to snap a season-high six game losing streak, the Rush came out with fire in the opening moments of the game, but were upended in the final period of play. With goals from Jason Pitton, Stephon Thorne, and a 41-save shutout from Trevor Cann, the Rush lost their franchise-record seventh consecutive loss, 2-0 against the Beast.
It took 47:44 seconds of hockey, but after a stalwart offensive effort that saw the Rush outshoot the Beast 21-5 in the second period, the Beast would eventually change the scoreless scoreboard. Josh McQuade rifled a shot past Danny Battochio’s net, and took an active bounce off of the kickplate of the back wall behind the goal. Waiting for the resulting rebound was Jason Pitton, scoring his fifth of the season to give the Beast a 1-0 lead with just 12:16 left in regulation. Less than four minutes later, the Beast would extend the advantage, with Stephon Thorne scoring his second off of a rebound from an Anton Corbin shot to give the Beast a 2-0 lead. The Rush would struggle to find offense, and despite a late power play and extra-attacker, would fall to the Beast 2-0, the first time the Rush have been shutout all season long.
Danny Battochio fell in his sixth straight appearance, recording 23 saves in his seventh loss of the season (4-7-1). The Rush power play has been held scoreless at home for two consecutive games, and has not converted their last 22 power plays dating back to the 11/16 loss at Allen. The loss, which is now the seventh in a row for the Rush, is a new franchise record, and ties the longest losing streak in the ECHL this season (Orlando lost seven straight from 10/25-11/9). Both teams conclude the three-game set tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
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