SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

SCHULTZ MAKES RUSH HISTORY IN LOSS TO AMERICANS

(ALLEN, TX) – The Allen Americans rode a 24-shot second period to an eventual six-goal rally, but Jesse Schultz became the all-time leading scorer in Rush franchise history in a 6-2 road loss on Thursday night. Schultz breaks the record held by long-time Rush captain Scott Wray, recording an assist in the third period to mark his 237th point in a Rapid City Rush uniform.

Kale Kerbashian made himself at home for the Rush, rifling his first shot in his new uniform past Allen net-minder Riley Gill, giving the Rush an early 1-0 advantage just 1:48 into the game. Despite the quick start, the Americans would come storming back in the second.

Ian Schultz ripped off two quick goals within the first four minutes of the second to even the game and eventually give the Americans the lead. His first came 1:15 into the period, as he picked up a rebound off of Rush goaltender Johnny Griggs and flipped it over the stretched out goalie, knotting the game at 1-1. His second came at 3:57, sending the puck past Griggs again to give the Americans a 2-1 advantage. Gary Steffes would later send a shot past Griggs on a cross-ice offensive zone pass from Justin Baker, doubling the Americans lead to two goals at 3-1, prompting the substitution of Griggs for the newest Rush goaltender, Joe Howe at 6:03 of the second. Howe would see 14 shots in the period and only let one by him, the goal coming from Jamie Schaafsma with 7:20 to go in the middle period, affording the home side a 4-1 lead heading into the third.

Tyler Ludwig kicked off the first 1:32 of the final period with a power play goal on a rocket from the point, extending the Americans lead to 5-1, followed by a loose puck rifled by Howe from the stick of Nolan Descoteaux at 7:39 of the period, marking the Americans final goal with what was then a 6-1 lead. The lone bright spot of the game for the Rush was Cody Ferriero’s deflection of Mathieu Brisebois’ missle from the blueline with 9:39 left in the game to lead to the eventual 6-2 final. The secondary assist on the goal went to Jesse Schultz, who with that assist became the all-time leading scorer in Rapid City Rush history with his 237th point in a Rush uniform.

Johnny Griggs receives the loss (1-2-1 w/Rush, 4-4-1 season), stopping 15 of 18 shots in 26:03 of playing time, while Joe Howe played in 33:57 of relief of Griggs, blocking away 20 of 23 shots.

Both teams engage in a rematch tomorrow night at the Allen Events Center, with puck drop slated for 6:05 p.m. MST.

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