FISCHER’S THIRD PERIOD STRIKE GIVES RUSH THE WIN

(BOISE, ID) – Zach Fischer broke a third-period tie with 8:24 left in regulation to put the Rapid City Rush ahead for a final time, and coupled with Adam Carlson’s 39 saves, powered the Rush to a 3-1 win over the Idaho Steelheads on Saturday night.  The win gives the Rush 5 of 6 points in Boise this week, and a 4-2-2-1 record overall in Boise this season.  However, with the Kansas City Mavericks defeating the Fort Wayne Komets tonight, the Rush have officially been eliminated from the playoffs.

The Rush came out of the first period with the only goal, as well as a lead, but the period didn’t come without fireworks.  Dylan Quaile took a faceoff win in the offensive zone and immediately fired a shot by Idaho goaltender Ryan Faragher, giving the Rush a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes (Darby Llewellyn had the lone assist).  Towards the end of the period, a melee broke out, resulting in Garrett Klotz receiving a game misconduct while standing up for his teammate, followed by another melee that broke out in the last minute, resulting in Cedric Montminy receiving a game misconduct in defense of Brandon Fehd, who was kicked by Mitch Moroz while he was down on the ice after being boarded.  Moroz received a match penalty for kicking and was ejected.

Idaho tied the game in the second period to send the game into the final 20 minutes deadlocked.  With 8:27 left in the second, Charlie Dodero fired a shot from the blue line that deflected off of the skate of Steve McParland and in.  The goal was reviewed, but because it was clear that it wasn’t a distinct kicking motion, McParland’s goal correctly stood and squared the game at a1-1 (Dodero and Kyle Schempp assisted).

Zach Fischer broke the deadlock in the third period and pushed the Rush ahead for good.  After Carlson made a save in the defensive zone, Zach Fischer played the rebound all the way up the ice, faked a shot, and fired it by Faragher to give the Rush their final lead of the game at 2-1 with 8:24 left (the goal was unassisted).  Alex Rauter completed the scoring entries with an empty-netter with 74 seconds left in the game, giving the Rush a 3-1 win, and 5 of 6 points on the week’s series.

Adam Carlson, making his 11th consecutive start, stopped all but one of 40 shots on his net in the win (21-16-3-3).

The Rush, eliminated from the playoffs tonight, will close out the regular season with their final two games on April 5th and 6th on home ice this upcoming weekend against the Kansas City Mavericks.  Puck drop for both games is slated for 7:05 p.m. MST at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

######