GAME NOTES: 3/26 at Fort Wayne

Game #63 at Fort Wayne

3/26/23 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | 5:00 p.m. ET

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LAST TIME OUT: Logan Nelson scored twice but the Rush allowed three goals in the third period and were beaten by the Fort Wayne Komets 6-3 on Saturday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Rapid City’s winning streak was snapped at six games.

GOALIE GOAL: Fort Wayne goaltender Ryan Fanti scored an empty net goal in the third period on Saturday. In doing so he became 15th goaltender in ECHL history to score a goal and the first to do so in the 71-year history of the Komets.  It was also the second goalie goal in the ECHL this season; Francois Brassard scored one for the Maine Mariners on December 18 in a 5-2 win over the Adirondack Thunder.

THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: Rapid City has 10 games remaining on its schedule and currently sits one point out of a playoff spot. Six of the remaining games are at home with four on the road. Entering play on Saturday, second place and sixth place in the Mountain Division are separated by just five points. Following Sunday’s game, the Rush will play the remainder of their schedule inside the division.

SPOTTING THE KOMETS: Entering Sunday’s game the Komets have won just two of their last six games. Fort Wayne averages 3.82 goals per game, the second-most in the league. On the flip side, the Komets allow 3.84 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 seven. Any combination of seven points gained by the Komets or seven potential points lost by the Wheeling Nailers would put Fort Wayne in the playoffs.

AWAY FROM HOME: Rapid City’s fell to 11-20-1-0 on the road with their loss on Saturday night and the Rush have now lost four of their last five road games. Rapid City is 19-11-0-0 on home ice this season and six of their remaining 10 games will be played at home.

ODDS AND ENDS: Alex Aleardi scored on a penalty shot in the second period on Saturday night, Rapid City’s first successful penalty shot of the season. The team is now 1-for-2...the Rush are 7-19-0-0 in goals decided by three or more goals. Rapid City is 23-12-1-0 in two and one-goal games...Logan Nelson surpassed 50 points on the season with his two goals on Saturday. It’s the second-consecutive season he has recorded more than 50 points. Prior to the 2021-22 season, he had not accomplished the feat in six seasons in the ECHL.

UP NEXT: The Rush will return home for three games next week against the Allen Americans. The first is set for Thursday night and puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. at The Monument Ice Arena.