RUSH FALL IN POWER PLAY-FILLED AFFAIR

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

RUSH FALL IN POWER PLAY-FILLED AFFAIR

(RAPID CITY, SD) – In a game where the man-advantage reigned supreme, the Tulsa Oilers literally powered themselves to a 5-3 win over the Rapid City Rush a rubber match concluding a string of five consecutive matchups between the Central Division Rivals.

The Oilers started the scoring entries early three games in a row, with special teams leading the way. On the first Tulsa power play of the game, Jon Booras tipped a Dave Pszenyczny shot past Rush net-minder John Griggs to help the visiting side to a 1-0 lead at the 4:24 mark of the opening frame. Exactly five minutes later, on the second man-advantage for the Oilers, Ricards Birzinsh sprung T.J. Caig on a breakaway with a crisp pass from his goal line all the way to the Rush blue line. Caig had no resistance, and ripped a shot past Griggs to double the visitors lead to 2-0. The Rush would counter back with a power play of their own within the last five minutes of the period, as Cody Ferriero slammed a bouncing puck past Tulsa goaltender Kevin Carr to cut the deficit in half at 2-1 heading into the second.

The third Oilers power play of the game came within the first minute of the second, and for the third time in a row, the man-advantage unit found the twine behind Griggs. Fifty-five seconds into the period, 20 into the power play, Jon Booras deflected another shot into the Rush net, his second of the night, to re-establish the Oilers two-goal lead at 3-1. Eventually, the Rush fought back during even strength hockey, and quickly narrowed the gap. At the 2:34 mark of the middle act, Jonathan Narbonne blocked a shot in front of the Rush net, eventually starting a rush led by Johan Ryd. Ryd connected with Patrick Cullen, who finished with a backhander over Carr’s shoulder for his first goal as a Rush forward, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Exactly 1:40 later Jesse Schultz made no mistake with an open rebound off of a Cody Ferriero back-hander, locking the scoreboard at 3-3, but the Oilers would soon strike with even numbers. After a neutral zone turnover by the Rush, Drew Fisher of the Oilers had a shot deflected into the air, only to bounce off of Adam Pleskach’s skate and past Griggs, repossessing the lead with 5:07 left in the second period. Pleskach’s goal held true as the difference in the game, and when fortified by Matt Larke’s empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the game, helped push the Oilers to an eventual 5-3 win.

John Griggs falls for the first time as the net-minder for the Rush (1-1-0, 4-3-0 overall). Rush Captain Daniel Tetrault played in his 900th game as a professional hockey player, and recorded an assist in his milestone game. Ultimately, Tulsa finished 3-for-6 on the man-advantage, and a total of 14 power plays were awarded between both sides.

The Rush regroup and head back on the road this weekend to begin a set that takes them to the Midwest, starting with a showdown against the Quad City Mallards at the iWireless Center on January 16th at 6:05 p.m. MST.

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Join Rush Nation for only $10 per game! Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details, and stay informed on all Rush happenings this summer through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.

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