THREE-GOAL FIRST PERIOD HELPS OILERS SLIP PAST RUSH

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

THREE-GOAL FIRST PERIOD HELPS OILERS SLIP PAST RUSH

(TULSA, OK) – For the first time in this ECHL season, the Rapid City Rush and the Tulsa Oilers would battle on the ice in the BOK Center. The Oilers, boasting one of the best offenses in the ECHL went head-to-head with the second-best defense in the ECHL, but a quick start in the first period ultimately led to the Rush’s demise. Led by a 33 save performance by Kevin Carr, the Oilers rode a three-goal first period to a 6-4 win.

The game started with 6 penalty minutes assessed to the Oilers for a high-sticking double minor on Dave Pszenyczny and a roughing minor for Nathan Lutz, leading to almost five minutes of power play time for the Rush, and two full minutes of five-on-three hockey in favor of the Rush, but they would be unable to capitalize on their power play time. Eventually, after trading power plays in the opening 10 minutes, the Oilers would start the scoring entires. First for the Oilers in a three-goal flurry was Jon Booras, taking a turnover from Jesse Schultz and shooting it past Wayne Savage to give the home side an early 1-0 lead 9:29 into the game. Moments later, Luke Judson received the puck on a Rush offensive zone turnover and took it the length of the ice, leading to a 2-0 lead for the Oilers with 3:31 left in the opening frame. Exactly 36 seconds later, Drew Fisher would give the Oilers a 3-0 lead on passes from Nathan Lutz and T.J. Caig, leading to a Rush goaltending substitution for the remainder of the first period and the game.

The Rush saw some life in the second period, with Robin Soudek scoring his first goal in a Rush uniform for his fifth goal of the season, putting the Rush on the board at 3-1 just under two minutes into the frame. Unfortunately for the Rush, the Oilers would come back with two strikes, the first of which was scored by Tommy Mele. Taking the assist from his brother Steve, Tommy sent one behind Battochio to re-establish the Oilers three-goal lead with 14:31 left in the second. 1:47 later, Jon Booras would net his second of the night of the night, deflecting a pass from Luke Judson to give the Oilers a 5-1 advantage. Not backing down, former Oiler and current Rush defenseman took the puck the length of the ice and sent it past Kevin Carr to cut into the deficit, making the score 5-2 Tulsa heading into the final 20 minutes of play.

Looking to make a big comeback, the Rush got some help from the man-advantage with 12:57 left in the game. Finally getting a lucky bounce, Dylan Clarke slammed home a loose puck in front of the net to cut the deficit back to 2 at 5-3 for his fourth on the season. The Oilers, boasting one of the best offenses in the ECHL, came right back and re-established their three-goal advantage at 6-3 with Kyle O’Kane’s first of the season after the final Tulsa power play of the night expired. Making things interesting towards the end of the game was Daniel Barczuk, who took a cross-ice pass from Robin Soudek and ripped it past Carr to bring the Rush within two with 2:32 left to play. The Rush would be unable to come back, and would ultimately fall to the Oilers in their first meeting of the season, 6-4.

Wayne Savage received the loss and allowed 3 goals on 12 shots in just 17:05 played in the game (1-3-0). Danny Battochio came in relief of Savage in net with 2:55 remaining in the opening period, and played for the remainder of regulation, stopping all but 3 of 24 shots thrown his way. Robin Soudek had his first multi-point game with the Rush, notching a goal along with 2 assists for a 3 point night. Also recording a multi-point night for the Rush was Dylan Clarke with a power play goal and an assist for 2 points and Rush captain Jesse Schultz with 2 helpers. For Schultz, his assist and point-streaks extend to five games, where he has recorded a goal and 8 assists for 9 points in that span. The Rush are back in action in North Texas on Sunday, playing in the Allen Events Center against the Allen Americans at 3:05 MST.

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