RUSH EDGE MAVERICKS IN SHOOTOUT

SLAPSHOT POSTGAME COVERAGE PRESENTED BY ASSURANT SOLUTIONS

RUSH EDGE MAVERICKS IN SHOOTOUT

(INDEPENDENCE, MO) – Kale Kerbashian won the game in the final shootout round, Jesse Schultz added a goal and an assist, and Danny Battochio stoned four of five shooters in the shootout as the Rapid City Rush secured the second point over the Missouri Mavericks 3-2 in Independence tonight. The shootout win, coupled with a Wichita Thunder overtime victory over the Brampton Beast, as well as the idle evening of the Tulsa Oilers, now gives the Rush a share of third place in the Central Division standings with 15 games to go.

Jesse Schultz started things for the Rush once again, giving the Rush the first goal for the (X) consecutive game. At 10:33 of the opening period, Jonathan Narbonne kept the puck in the Mavericks zone on the play and sent it on the near wall to Kevin Harvey. Harvey slap-passed the puck cross-ice to Schultz, who sent the puck by Missouri goaltender Josh Robinson, giving the Rush a 1-0 lead.

The Mavericks tied the game at 4:30 of the second period. The Rush were unable to clear the zone and the Mavericks capitalized on that as Jack Downing found an open Geordie Wudrick in the slot for a one-timer, evening things up at 1-1. Exactly 3:19 later, on the second Mavericks power play of the game, John-Scott Dickson slammed a loose puck home in front of the crease of Rush netminder Danny Battochio, lifting the Mavericks to their first lead of the game at 2-1 with 12:11 to play in the middle frame. The Rush power play unit promptly answered with Cody Ferriero’s 18th of the season six minutes later. On an east-west pass from behind the net, Schultz connected with Ferriero, who faked out both defenders in front, as well as Robinson in net, opening himself for a top-shelf snipe to equalize the game at 2-2 heading into the third.

Neither team would be able to solve things in the final period, ultimately leading to free hockey in Independence. The Rush dominated the play in the final 25 minutes of play, but couldn’t get a game-winner in overtime, leading to a shootout. Lindsay Sparks struck first for the Mavericks in the first round, with Patrick Cullen unable to reciprocate in the first round. Jack Downing and Jesse Schultz both missed in the second round, but the Rush would strike one series later. After Jared Brown would get stopped by Battochio, Cody Ferriero equalized things yet again and beat Robinson over his glove. Gabriel Levesque, in his Mavericks debut, and Mathieu Brisebois would each be unable to capitalize on their chances, leading us to the final round. After Andrew Courtney was stopped by Battochio, Kale Kerbashian tucked one by Robinson to win the game and secure the second point in a 3-2 Rush win.

Danny Battochio stopped 14 of 16 in the win, his 16th of the season (16-16-2). The Rush power play extended their hot streak to 6/18 in their last four games (33.3%).

Both teams play for the second-to-last time this season, and the final time in the Independence Events Center on Sunday afternoon, with puck drop slated for 3:05 p.m. MST.

Other Rush News:

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.

######