GAME NOTES: 3/25 at Fort Wayne

Game #62 at Fort Wayne

3/25/23 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | 7:35 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT: Keanu Yamamoto scored twice and the Rush erased a two-goal third period deficit en route to a 6-5 shootout win over the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Rapid City won for the sixth consecutive outing.

STREAKING: Rapid City has now won six consecutive games, tied for its longest winning streak of the season. The Rush have outscored their opponents 25-15 during the six-game streak. Rapid City last won six games in a row from November 26 to December 9.

THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: Rapid City has 11 games remaining on its schedule and currently sits one point out of a playoff spot. Six of the remaining games are at home with five on the road. Entering play on Saturday, second place and sixth place in the Mountain Division are separated by just three points.

SKILLS COMPETITION: Friday was only the second time this season the Rush have gone to a shootout and the Rush are now 2-0 in shootouts. Rapid City beat the Idaho Steelheads in a shootout at home on November 12. Both Blake Bennett and Keanu Yamamoto scored on their first career shootout attempts.

SPOTTING THE KOMETS: Entering Saturday’s game the Komets have lost three games in a row and four of thier last five. Fort Wayne averages 3.79 goals per game, the second-most in the league. On the flip side, the Komets allow 3.85 goals per game, also the second-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 nine. Any combination of nine points gained by the Komets or potential points lost by the Wheeling Nailers would put Fort Wayne in the playoffs.

AWAY FROM HOME: Rapid City’s win on Friday improved its road record to 11-19-1-0. The Rush had lost three consecutive road games prior to Friday’s win in Fort Wayne. Rapid City is 19-11-0-0 on home ice this season.

ODDS AND ENDS:  Adam Carlson has now won the last seven games he has started in net...Rapid City is now 14-6-1-0 in one-goal games...Keanu Yamamoto recorded his third two-goal game of the season on Friday night. He is now tied for fifth on the team with 17 goals...Jimmy Soper netted his 20th goal of the season on Friday, the first time in his career he has reached 20 goals...the Rush are now 7-1 in games that go past regulation.

UP NEXT: The Rush and Komets will conclude their three-in-three weekend on Sunday afternoon in Fort Wayne. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.