TETRAULT'S FOUR-POINT NIGHT HELPS RUSH BLAST THUNDER

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

TETRAULT’S FOUR-POINT NIGHT HELPS RUSH BLAST THUNDER

(RAPID CITY, SD) – Meeting for the second time in three games, the Rapid City Rush engaged the Wichita Thunder in battle, this time at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Looking to build off of their success from their last encounter on Friday night, the Rush came out on fire, with special teams guiding the way. At the end of 60 minutes, the Rush earned another two points, defeating former Rush goaltender Tim Boron by a 6-3 score, thanks to Daniel Tetrault’s 4-point night.

The Rush struck early against the Thunder, with their outstanding success at home on the power play taking flight. Exactly 18 seconds into the first power play of the game for the Rush, J.P. Chabot scored his third power play goal in the last four games, tipping in a Daniel Tetrault shot to give the Rush a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the contest. The Thunder would respond quickly with a goal of their own. Kurtis Bartliff took a stretch pass from Todd Hosmer, fell down on the breakaway and scored from his knees, equalizing the game at 1-1 2:44 later. Moments later on their second power play of the game, Landon Oslanski ripped a shot from the point to the top shelf of Boron’s net, giving the Rush two power play goals and a 2-1 lead heading into the second.

Special teams for the home side picked up from where they left off in the second period. With less than five minutes to go, Jesse Schultz, left all alone in the near corner of the zone, gave the Rush a third power play goal on four chances and a 3-1 lead after two periods of play.

Within 37 seconds of the start of the final period of play, the Rush found success through even-strength hockey. Slamming home a rebound off of a Justin Faryna shot that clanked the post was Daniel Barczuk, scoring once again in consecutive nights, to extend the Rush advantage to 4-1. Unfortunately for the Rush, Danick Gauthier would eventually strike on the final Thunder power play of the game, cutting the deficit in half to 4-2 with 15:21 left in the game. Not letting up, Daniel Tetrault scored his first goal in a Rush uniform less than two minutes later to re-establish the Rush three-goal lead at 5-2. With 8:58 left in the game, Scott Brannon slammed home a rebound on another shot that hit the post, courtesy of Nick McParland, to end the Rush scoring rally at 6-2. With just under five and a half minutes of play left, R.G. Flath found open space and scored on a deflection in front of Wayne Savage to cut the deficit in half once more, but it would not be enough as the Rush cruised to a major 6-3 win.

Wayne Savage earned his first win this season, stopping 32 of 35 shots thrown his way (1-2-0). 12 players inked themselves onto the scoresheet in the game: Daniel Tetrault (G, 3 Ast), Jesse Schultz and Landon Oslanski (G, Ast each), J.P. Chabot and Scott Brannon (G each), and Kyle Stroh, Robin Soudek, Jake Hauswirth, Nick McParland, Justin Faryna (Ast each). The Rush power play had their best finish of the night, finishing 3/4 (75%). Both teams fight in a rematch tomorrow night, with puck drop slated for 6:35 MST at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

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