(RAPID CITY, S.D.) – The Rapid City Rush, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, fell to the Kansas City Mavericks 3-2 on Friday night at The Monument.
Things started well for the Rush (2-1-0-0) as Conner Bleackley scored his first in the red-and-black on the powerplay to take a 1-0 lead midway through the first. Bleackley, who has over 200 ECHL games played, would assist on the other Rush goal from Blake Bennett 5:40 into the second period.
As Rapid City pounded Kansas City goaltender Cale Morris, K.C. slowly inched their way back into the game. Cade Borchardt scored off a deflection on the powerplay to bring the Mavs within one heading into the third period.
The Rush managed 31 shots on net tonight, but it paled in comparison to 50 from Kansas City and 15 shots from the Mavericks in the last period.
Patrick Curry beat Rush starter Connor Murphy on a one-timer with six minutes left to tie the game.
After Keanu Yamamoto was given a penalty for cross-checking in a full-team shoving debacle, Kansas City scored on the powerplay when Seattle Kraken draft pick Kyle Jackson logged his second goal of the season to take a 3-2 lead.
Despite a late Mavericks penalty, the Rush fell 3-2 at home, suffering their first loss of the season.
Rapid City will return home tomorrow night to face K.C. (4-0-0-0) and look to topple the top-of-the-division Mavericks.
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