GAME NOTES: 3/10 vs Wichita

Game #56 vs Wichita

3/10/23 | The Monument Ice Arena | 7:05 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT: The Rush fell in a 3-0 hole, came from behind to tie the game at four in the third period but were eventually beaten by the Wichita Thunder 6-4 on Thursday night at The Monument Ice Arena. Carter Robertson and Matt Marcinew both had two assists and Max Coatta recorded a goal and an assist in the loss.

THE CENTURY MARK: Max Coatta assisted on Alex Carlson’s second period goal on Thursday night and in doing so, recorded his 100th career ECHL point. Coatta later scored a goal in the third period and now has 101 points for his ECHL career. Over 162 games in the league, Coatta has 43 goals and 58 assists.

PUTTING UP POINTS: Matt Marcinew recorded two assists in the loss on Thursday night and in doing so extended his point streak to six games. He has recorded four goals and four assists over those six games. Marcinew had a four-game goal-scoring streak snapped on Thursday. He leads the Rush with 25 goals and 31 assists on the season.

NEW FACES: Rapid City made a trade on Tuesday as it acquired defenseman Jason Horvath from the Trois-Rivieres Lions in exchange for defenseman Ryan Zuhlsdorf. Horvath has appeared in 16 games for Trois-Rivieres and has a goal and four assists. The Rush also signed forward Blake Bennett on Tuesday. Bennett recently completed his college career at American International College. During his senior season in 2022-23, he recorded 22 goals and 13 assists over 38 games and let AIC in both goals and points. It was his second consecutive season with at least 20 goals and his second straight year leading the Yellow Jackets in both goals and points. Bennett made his pro debut on Thursday and earned his first professional point with an assist on Logan Nelson’s power play goal in the second period.

BITING THE HAND THAT FED: Former Rush Kyle Rhodes, Brett Van Os and Jake Wahlin each scored for Wichita on Thursday night. All three played for Rapid City during the 2021-22 season. Rhodes now has three goals this season for Wichita, all of which have come against the Rush.

ODDS AND ENDS: Brett Gravelle scored in the second period on Thursday night. Five of his nine goals this season have come against Wichita...the Rush won their first two games against the Thunder this season but since then, have lost seven in a row in the season series...Alex Carlson scored his first goal with the Rush and his second career ECHL goal on Thursday.

UP NEXT: The Rush and Thunder will finish their three-in-three weekend on Saturday night. It’s Wrestling Night and the team will be wearing specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off postgame. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at The Monument Ice Arena.