PARIK, RUSH, BLANK GRIZZLIES, 3-0

(RAPID CITY, S.D.) – Lukas Parik made 43 saves, Gabe Chabot scored twice and the Rapid City Rush shut out the Utah Grizzlies, 3-0, in Game 5 on Wednesday night at The Monument Ice Arena. With the win, Rapid City forced a Game 6 in the best-of-seven series.

The Rush struck first in the opening period while working with a power play. Brett Gravelle found Chabot at the blue line and he fired a wrist shot. It sailed through traffic and beat Trent Miner high, giving the Rush a 1-0 lead.

They added to that lead later in the first period, again thanks to Chabot. He gained the zone down the left wing and fired a shot that was blocked on its way to the net. Chabot followed that shot and on the second chance, he buried one top shelf and the lead was 2-0.

In the second, the Rush got one more after Callum Fryer fed Alec Butcher below the goal line. From behind the net, Butcher wrapped a shot around the near post and snuck it through Miner’s pads to make the score 3-0.

Meanwhile, Parik was a brick wall in the Rapid City net. Utah fired a total of 43 shots on goal, including 14 in the final period. The rookie goaltender stopped all of them as Rapid City went on to take the game, 3-0.

Chabot scored twice, Butcher netted his first goal of the postseason and Parik’s shutout was his first in the playoffs and second this season. Rapid City now trails the series, 3-2, and staved off elimination for the second consecutive night. The Rush forced a Game 6 that will take place on Monday night in West Valley City. Puck drop at Maverik Center is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

###