(RAPID CITY, S.D.) – Ilya Nikolaev recorded two assists for his first professional points and Daniil Chechelev made 30 saves but the Rush were defeated by the Idaho Steelheads 4-2, Friday night at The Monument Ice Arena.
The Rush opened the scoring early in the first period. Nikolaev found Ryan Zuhlsdorf at the blue line for a wrist shot that flew through traffic. It snuck past a screened Adam Scheel and Rapid City took a 1-0 lead.
In the opening minutes of the second, with the Rush on a power play, Nikolaev hit Colton Leiter for a one-timer at the point. Scheel made the initial save but Jon Martin was able to shove the rebound under his pads and the lead grew to 2-0.
Idaho answered, however, when it gained the zone on an odd-man rush and Patrick Kudla found a trailing Colton Kehler for a one-timer. Kehler blasted the shot top shelf on Chechelev and the score was 2-1.
The Steelheads then tied the game in the third after a failed clearing attempt was swept to Willie Knierim in front of the Rush net. He snapped a shot past the lunging Chechelev it was 2-2.
Later in the third, Kudla slid a pass to Owen Headrick at the right circle. He fired a wrist shot that beat a screened Chechelev and Idaho took the lead.
Rapid City then pulled Chechelev for an extra attacker in the final minutes and Ryan Dmowski sent a clearing attempt off the glass from its own zone. It took an odd bounce and rolled on its end into the empty net, pushing the score to its 4-2 final.
Zuhlsdorf netted his first goal of the season, Martin’s power play strike was his first and Nikolaev assisted on both Rush goals. Rapid City fell to 3-6-0-0 in the loss while Idaho improved to 7-2-0-0. The Rush and Steelheads will meet again on Saturday night. It’s Wheel, Snipe, Celly Night featuring an appearance from Terry Ryan and puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at The Monument Ice Arena.
###
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers