GAME NOTES: 3/24 at Fort Wayne

Game #61 at Fort Wayne

3/24/23 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | 4:05 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT: Alex Aleardi had two goals, Zach Court had a goal and two assists and the Rush beat the Tulsa Oilers 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at The Monument Ice Arena. Daniil Chechelev made 44 saves and Rapid City won for the fifth consecutive game.

NOT MUCH HISTORY: Rapid City and Fort Wayne have played 10 times in franchise history and the Rush are 3-6-1-0 in the all-time series. They last played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on February 2, 2019, and beat the Komets 2-1 in a shootout. Rapid City is 1-4-0-0 at Fort Wayne in its history.

ON A ROLL: Rapid City has now won five consecutive games, its second-longest winning streak of the season. Rapid City has outscored its opponents 19-10 during the five-game streak, the entirety of which has taken place at home. Conversely, the Rush have lost their last three games on the road.

THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: Rapid City has 12 games remaining on its schedule and currently sits three points out of a playoff spot. Six of the remaining games are at home with six on the road. Entering play on Friday, second place and sixth place in the Mountain Division are separated by just four points.

POWER OUTAGE: The Rush have not scored a power play goal in their last five outings and have gone 0-for-18 with the man advantage during that stretch. Rapid City’s power play is at 15.3% for the season, tied for 27th in the ECHL. During their current five-game streak without a power play goal the Rush have won every game.

SPOTTING THE KOMETS: Entering Friday’s game, Fort Wayne averages 3.77 goals per game, the third-most in the league. On the flip side, the Komets allow 3.82 goals per game, the fourth-most in the ECHL. Fort Wayne sits in fourth place in the Central Division and their magic number to clinch a spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs is 11. Any combination of 11 points gained by the Komets or potential points lost by the Wheeling Nailers would put Fort Wayne in the playoffs.

ODDS AND ENDS: Alex Aleardi has four goals in his last three games. Aleardi was born in Fort Wayne...the Rush are 10-19-1-0 on the road this season. Fort Wayne is 12-10-4-2 at home...Rapid City’s three games against Fort Wayne this weekend are the final three games they will play outside of the Mountain Division. 66 of the Rush’s 72 scheduled games are inside the division. No other team in the ECHL will play fewer games outside of its division.

UP NEXT: Rapid City and Fort Wayne will clash again on Saturday night. Puck drop at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.