DEFENSIVE SHOWDOWN CLAIMED BY STEELHEADS OVER RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – Kyle Jean scored a power play goal that was difference for the majority of regulation, but the major difference-maker was Philippe Desrosiers, who backstopped the Idaho Steelheads to a 2-0 win over the Rapid City Rush on Tuesday night, stopping all 35 shots he saw.

Both teams skated to a scoreless first period that showcased 21 combined saves between both Danny Battochio in the Rush net and Philippe Desrosiers in the Idaho net. However the deadlock would eventually be broken, and it was due to special teams, which has been a common theme of the Steelheads/Rush divisional rivalry this season. On their only power play of the game to the point of the 12:13 mark in the second period, the Steelheads broke the scoreless deadlock and took a 1-0 lead thanks to Kyle Jean’s blue line shot that went by Rush net-minder, Danny Battochio, up high (Emil Molin and Zach Yuen were credited with the assists). Despite the best efforts of the Rush, Philippe Desrosiers stopped every threat towards his net, and with Idaho captain Carson McMillan netting an empty-net goal with 55.4 seconds left in the game, Desrosiers was guaranteed his second shutout of the season, both against the Rush, winning 2-0 against their West Division rivals (Andrew Carroll earned the lone assist on the empty-netter).

Danny Battochio took the loss despite stopping 30 of 31 shots he saw in the contest (20-19-4).

The Rush close out the regular season with a two-game set against the Utah Grizzlies on Friday and Saturday night this weekend. Both contests are slated for 7:05 p.m. MST puck drops.

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