GAME NOTES: 3/7 vs UTAH

REGULAR SEASON GAME  SIXTY- 3/7/2020

Rapid City Rush vs Utah Grizzlies - 7:05 p.m. MDT

Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena

THIS SEASON

Utah: 61gp, 33-17-7-4, 77pts (3rd Mountain)

• Last Game - 3/6 @ Rapid City (5-4 OTL)

Rush: 59gp, 29-24-5-1, 64pts (T-4th Mountain)

• Last Game - 3/6 vs Utah (5-4 W/OT)

HEAD TO HEAD - 10 of 13 Games Played

Utah: 4-2-2-2, 12pts

• Power Play: 17.9% (10/56)
• Penalty Kill: 85.5% (47/55)
• Leading Scorer(s): Ty Lewis* (8gp, 2g-8ast-10pts)

Rush: 6-3-1-0, 13pts

• Power Play: 14.5% (8/55)
• Penalty Kill: 82.1% (46/56)
• Leading Scorer(s): Brennan Saulnier (10gp, 4g-5ast-9pts)

NOTES

THE BIG PICTURE: With 13 games remaining in the year, the Rush find themselves all square with the Tulsa Oilers for the final playoff spot in the Mountain Division playoff bracket. They still have three games in hand on Tulsa entering tonight’s finale against the Grizzlies. Additionally, the team has 5 games left against Kansas City (3 home, 2 away), 3 against Utah (1 at home and 2 away), 3 against Idaho at home, and one 1 against Tulsa and  Allen (both away). Here’s a look at the Mountain Division Standings, and upcoming matchups this week:

1)  Allen-X: 61gp, 40-13-6-2, 88pts; This week: 3/7 vs TUL (CLINCHED; Magic # To Division Title - 16)

2)  Idaho: 60gp, 36-17-3-4, 79pts; This week: 3/7 vs SC (Magic Number to Clinch: 6)

3)  Utah: 61gp, 33-17-7-4, 77pts; This week: 3/7 @ RUSH (Magic Number to Clinch: 8)

4)  Tulsa: 62gp, 28-26-7-1, 64pts; This week: 3/7 @ ALN (Magic Number to Clinch: 27)4) RUSH: 59gp, 29-24-5-1, 64pts; This week: 3/7 vs UT (Magic Number to Clinch: 21)

6) Kansas City: 59gp, 24-30-4-1, 53pts; This week: 3/7, 3/8 vs WIC

7) Wichita: 59gp, 22-29-8-0, 52pts; This week: 3/7, 3/8 @ KC

COMEBACK KIDS: For a third time this season at home, the Rush came back against the Grizzlies for a win past 60 minutes. Last night, the Rush trailed by a 3-0 score in the first period, and led by Peter Quenneville (1g-1ast), Tyler Coulter (2g), and Brennan Saulnier (1g-2ast) outscored the Grizzlies 5-1 from the last five minutes of the first to the end of the game. Additionally, since the goaltending change 3:26 into the game, the Rush outshot Utah 30-19. Darian Romanko scored the game-winner 40 seconds into overtime, and, in a strange coincidence, matched Quenneville for the fastest OT winner this season, which also came against Utah on December 6th at home.

FROM JOE TO PRO: Last night, defenseman Joe Rutkowski made his professional debut out of Ferris State University in the NCAA ranks. Rutkowski celebrated the occasion with his first professional point, an assist on Brennan Saulnier’s third period goal that put the Rush within striking distance with just over five minutes left in the game. Rutkowski finished his college career as a Bulldog with 6 goals, 49 assists, and 55 points in 142 games over four seasons.

KEEP IT ROLLING: Every time the Rush and Grizzlies meet, its always a bitter rivalry showdown. The Rush have seen overwhelming success on their side of the rivalry, even though at one point they were referred to as a “perennial bottom feeder” from someone on the opposite side. Despite that, Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetraullt holds a career record of 24-10-1-1 against Utah since being named the Head Coach in the 2017-18 season. This season, the Rush are 6-3-1-0 against Utah, and 4-1-0-0 in Rapid City this year.

WE’RE GOING STREAKING!: Two Rush players carry statistical streaks into tonight's rematch against the Grizzlies:

• Tanner Karty: has assists and points in four straight games (4gp, 6ast)
• Brennan Saulnier: has goals and points in three straight games (3gp, 3g-3ast-6pts)