FIVE UNSANSWERED GOALS LEAD RUSH TO COMEBACK WIN

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

FIVE UNSANSWERED GOALS LEAD RUSH TO COMEBACK WIN

(TULSA, OK) – The Rapid City Rush began yet another busy flurry, in which they began a stretch of 8 games in 12 nights. For 6 of those games, the Tulsa Oilers serve as their opponent, kicking off the six-game set Tuesday night at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Both teams have a win against eachother, and the Oilers, fresh off of an upset of the Allen Americans that ended a six-game losing streak, looked to exact revenge against the Rush, but would fall short despite another quick start against their opponents from the Black Hills. Behind a five-goal rally after trailing 3-0 at the conclusion of the first period, the Rush stormed to a 5-3 win, their fourth straight win away from home.

With their last meeting with the Rush still fresh in their heads, the Oilers came out firing in the first frame in what was a three goal rally in the span of 4:21. Jeff Jubinville, responsible for two goals in this rally, scored his first one 5:07 into the game, deflecting a shot from Nathan Lutz past Danny Battochio to give the home side an early 1-0 lead. Exactly 2:47 later, Tommy Mele snuck the puck by Battochio while tight-roping the goal line to double the Oilers lead to 2-0. Finishing the rally on their first power play of the game was Jubinville for a second strike, leading to a 3-0 Oilers advantage and the substitution of Danny Battochio for rookie Raphael Girard. At the conclusion of the first period, Adam Pleskach had recorded an assist on each goal, while Jeff Jubinville received credit for two of the goals¬¬.

Things looked bleak for the Rush, but resiliency is one of the most appreciate traits of this team. With 40 minutes to go, staring down the barrel of a 3-0 deficit, they stormed right back. 3:14 into the second period, Daniel Barczuk ended a 14-game goal-scoring drought and sent one past rookie netminder Brady Hjelle to put the Rush on the board at 3-1, chipping into the Oilers lead. Unfortunately, the well-played second period came at a price, as the Rush lost Joey Sides to an injury.

The Rush comeback carried over and finished in the final 20 minutes of play. Former Tulsa Oiler Sean Erickson poked in a loose puck in front of Hjelle’s net and put the Rush within striking distance at 3-2 just over three minutes in. At the 7:52 mark, Barczuk would add a second goal to his tally on the night, finishing a wrap around by Justin Faryna to tie the game at 3-3. Then, the comeback would be completed. With 10:44 left in the game, Kyle Stroh took a pass from Robin Soudek and went bar-down to give the Rush the only lead of the game that they would need at 4-3. J.P. Chabot added insurance with his sixth goal of the season, his fifth on the power play, extending the Rush advantage further, eventually leading to a 5-3 win, the Rush’s fourth consecutive win on the road.

Danny Battochio allowed 3 goals on 6 shots playing in 9:28. In his first appearance in a Rush uniform, in 50:32 of relief, Raphael Girard notched his second win as a pro, stopping all 19 shots thrown his way (2-0-0). Both Daniel Barczuk and Kyle Stroh ended goal-scoring droughts tonight: Barczuk at 14 games, and Stroh at 16 games. Barczuk had a three point night, his most all season, and registered his first multi-goal game of the year as well. The Rush have won their fourth straight road game, most this season, and have won five of their last six heading into tomorrow night’s matchup with the Allen Americans on New Year’s Eve. Puck drop is slated for 6:05 p.m. MST at the Allen Events Center.

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