McMILLANS HAT TRICK POWERS STEELHEADS BY RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – Despite second period goals from Daniel Barczuk and Danick Gauthier, the Idaho Steelheads defeated the Rapid City Rush behind the hat trick of their captain, Carson McMillan, winning by a 5-2 score on Wednesday night.

The Rush showcased defense and stalwart penalty-killing in the opening period, and remained close to the Steelheads, who outshot the Rush 12-8 in the first frame, but despite the defensive stand, Idaho scored first. With just 3:21 left in the first period, Emil Molin carried the puck to the high slot and fired a wrist shot through traffic and past Rush net-minder, Danny Battochio, and in the net, giving the Steelheads a 1-0 lead (Corbin Baldwin and Shawn Boutin got the assists).

The Rush struck back in the second period, tying things up early. Daniel Barczuk received a pass from Garett Bembridge, the newest Rush forward, cross-ice in the neutral zone and sent a shot off of the arm of Steelheads goaltender, Jack Campbell, and in, tying the game at 1-1 with 4:24 gone by in the second period (Bembridge earned his first Rush point with the primary assist, while James Melindy chipped in with the second on the goal). Roughly 10 minutes later, Steelheads captain Carson McMillan finished a two-on-one break with Andre Bouvette-Morrissette and retook the lead for his club, making it 2-1 with 5:33 left in the frame (Bouvette-Morrissette and Andre Carrol notched the assists). Less than two minutes later, the Steelheads capitalized on their third power play of the game, receiving the 6th goal of the year from Kyle Jean. His one-timer with 3:45 left in the period doubled the Idaho lead to two goals, bringing the score to 3-1 (Zach Yuen and Rob Linsmayer received the assists). The Rush struck back just over a minute later, with Danick Gauthie following a loose puck into the Steelheads zone. His initial shot was blocked by an Idaho defender, but he scooped his rebound and flung it by an outstretched Campbell and cut the Rush deficit to 3-2 with 2:20 left in the frame (the goal was unassisted). Idaho had the last say in the second, as Carson McMillan scored his second goal of the frame on a wrist shot past Battochio, re-establishing the 2-goal Steelheads lead with 68 seconds left in the frame at 4-2 (Tommy Fallen earned an assist, whil Andrew Carrol notched his second helper of the game on the goal).

McMillan completed his hat trick midway through the third period, skating into the puck at the top of the Rush zone. The Steelheads captain skated in and sent a shot by Battochio to afford his club a 5-2 advantage, which would hold on for the remainder of regulation (Both Shawn Boutin and Corbin Baldwin earned their second assists of the game on the strike).

Danny Battochio made 31 saves on 36 shots faced in the game (12-12-2).

The Rush continue their seven-game road trip with their next two games coming against the Utah Grizzlies. Both games on Friday, January 29th, and Saturday, January 30th, are slated for 7:05 p.m. MST puck drops at the Maverik Center.

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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 season 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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