(ALLEN, TX) – Gabriel Chabot provided the Rapid City Rush with a 2-1 lead heading into the third, but Nolan Kneen’s first professional goal and Tyler Sheehy’s winner with 3:58 left in the game vaulted the Allen Americans to a 3-2 win on Saturday night. The loss marks three in a row for the Rush, and results in a weekend sweep at the hands of the Americans.

Both teams skated to a scoreless deadlock after 20 minutes of play. It took 33:55 of action for the game’s first goal, and it came of off Alex Rodriguez’ stick for the Rush. With 6:05 left in the second, Rodriguez collected an offensive zone turnover and fired a backhand shot that beat Allen goalie C.J. Motte under his blocker to give the Rush a 1-0 lead (the goal was unassisted). However, Allen countered quickly, and 2:01 later tied the game up. With 4:04 left in the second, Samuel Laberge rifled a wrishshot over the blocker shoulder of Rush net-minder Adam Carlson to square the game up at 1-1 (Alex Lavoie and Turner Ottenbreit assisted). Not to be outdone in the feverish exchange of goals, Rapid City’s Gabriel Chabot potted his first professional goal 2:21 later to re-establish the Rush lead at 2-1 with 2:43 left in the second (Tyson Empey earned his first professional assist, while Kevin Spinozzi earned his first Rush point with the other helper).

The Rush carried their 2-1 lead into the third period, however it did not last very long. Just 2:06 into the final frame, Allen’s Nolan Kneen carried the puck into the Rush zone on the far wall and threw a wrist shot past Carlson to square the game back up at 2-2 (Joseph Garreffa and Matt Register assisted). Allen stuck the dagger into the Rush late on an offensive zone faceoff won by Corey Mackin back to 2020 ECHL All-Rookie selection Tyler Sheehy. With 3:58 left in the game, Sheehy buried Mackin’s pass with a wrist shot that beat Carlson’s glove to give the Americans a 3-2 advantage (Mackin had the lone assist). The Rush pulled Carlson for the extra attacker, but couldn’t muster one final offensive shift, leading Allen to claim the weekend sweep with a 3-2 win.

Carlson suffered his second straight loss in net, stopping 38 of 41 Americans shots on net (1-2-0-0).

The Rush return to action after the Christmas holiday with the continuation of their five-game road trip against the Utah Grizzlies for a “three-in-three”. Puck drop for New Year’s Eve on Thursday, December 31st, is slated for 5:00 p.m. MDT, while puck drop for New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1st, and Saturday, January 2nd, are slated for 7:10 p.m. MDT.

From all of us to all of you, have a healthy, safe, and Merry Christmas, Rush Nation!

Season Tickets for the 2020-21 season are available! To place a deposit, call 716-7825, or click HERE.

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