RUSH EDGE MALLARDS WITH 2:28 LEFT TO END LOSING STREAK

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

RUSH EDGE MALLARDS WITH 2:28 LEFT TO END LOSING STREAK

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush took on the Quad City Mallards for the sixth time this season on Friday night at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Rush looked to snap and eight-game losing streak, and behind hard work and timely scoring, opened up the month of December with a renewed sense of purpose. Behind Dylan Clarke’s deflection with 2:28 left in the game, the Rush ended their skid and toppled the Mallards 3-2.

The Mallards picked up from where they left off against the Rush, and asserted themselves early. Just 1:51 into the game on their first man-advantage of the game, Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel would receive a rebound right at the point, which he sent in to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The return of Rush forward Justin Faryna was felt on the ice, not only in his play, but in his willingness to stand up for his teammates. Faryna’s fight with Dieude-Fauvel ignited his team and eventually, it led to a much-need game-tying goal. Working extremely hard on his forecheck was Johan Ryd, who set up the entire play leading to his goal in front of the net, his first in a Rush uniform, tying the game at 1-1 with 9:07 left in the first. Almost five minutes later, the Rush received their second power play of the game of the game, and it would cost the Mallards. Scoring his third goal in a Rush uniform was Robin Soudek, taking a one-timed pass from Steve Kaunisto and Sean Erickson, gave the Rush a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

The Rush took their 2-1 lead through a scoreless middle frame, and in the final moments of the game where hostility was in full flight, the Rush would emerge on the positive side of the outcome. Adversity befell the Rush when the Mallards Pearce Eviston scored his first professional goal on the final Mallards power play of the night, tying the game at 2-2 with 7:14 left in regulation.

Previous to the game, Rush Head coach and GM Joe Ferras said that the team needed a “greasy goal” to give them the upper hand and ignite the bench. He got his wish late in the game. With 2:28 left in regulation, Dylan Clarke tipped in a Riley Weselowski shot for the game-winner past Evan Mosher, giving the Rush a much-needed victory in a 3-2 win.

Danny Battochio earns his fifth win of the season, ending his seven-game losing streak (5-8-1). After the game concluded, calamity broke out on the ice, with 57 PIMs being assessed. Only Sean Erickson from the Rush earned 15 PIM-5 for fighting and 10 for a game misconduct-leaving the bench. For the Mallards, Paxton Leroux received 25 PIM-5 for fighting and two 10 minute game misconducts, one for leaving the bench and one for being the aggressor. Antti Pusa received 17 PIM-5 for fighting, 10 minute game misconduct for leaving the penalty box, and an extra 2 for leaving the penalty box. The Rush end a franchise-record eight-game losing streak, and will face the Mallards tonight in the seventh annual Teddy Bear Toss at 7:05 p.m. MST.

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