OPENING NIGHT - 10/11/2019
Rapid City Rush @ Allen Americans - 6:05 p.m. MDT
Allen Event Center
A LOOK BACK ON LAST YEAR
Allen: 72gp, 25-41-4-2, 56pts (7th Mountain)
Rush: 72gp, 30-33-5-4, 69pts (6th Mountain)
HEAD TO HEAD (6 Games Played 2018-19)
Allen: 4-2-0-0 (8pts)
Rush: 2-1-1-2 (7pts)
NOTES
A NEW SEASON BEGINS!: Tonight begins the 12th season of Rapid City Rush hockey, and their sixth as a member of the ECHL. The Rush are coming off of their first 30-win season since the 2015-16 season when the team went 30-35-3-4 (67pts).
FAMILIAR FACES: The Rush begin the 2019-20 ECHL season with a dozen familiar faces on the season-opening roster. Included in those 12 individuals are leading scorer Alex Rauter, 2019 “Blaine Jarvis Heart and Soul Award” Winner and Assistant Captain Cedric Montminy, 2018 “Blaine Jarvis Heart and Soul Award” Winner and Assistant Captain Josh Elmes, Tyler Poulsen, Dexter Dancs, and starting goaltender Tyler Parks. Speaking of familiar faces…
GATOR CHOMP: Making his return to a team he once called home as a player is new Rush Assistant Coach, Jeremy Gates. Gates comes to the Rush coaching staff following his first season coaching with the Pensacola Ice Flyers, with whom he won 3 SPHL Championships as a player. With the Rush, Gates suited up in 18 games and registered 9 points, adding another assist in a pair of playoff games during the 2014-15 season.
PARKS-ED IN THE SAME SPOT: For just the fourth time in team history, the same goaltender will start opening night in back-to-back seasons. Receiving this honor this year is Tyler Parks, who joins Miguel Beaudry (2008, 2009), Danny Battochio (2010, 2011), and Tim Boron (2012, 2013) as the four goalies to start back-to-back opening nights for the Rush.
FREE HOCKEY THIS YEAR?: One burning statistical question from last season to this season is overtime. The Rush played in 21 overtime/shootout games last year, which marked a new franchise record. In the 21 post-regulation appearances, the Rush went 5-5 in overtime and went 7-4 in shootouts. As a matter of fact, the Rush went past 60 minutes so much, that when you add up their total time played after 60 minutes, it comes out to 61:42 of additional hockey. That’s over a full game extra!
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