(CORALVILLE, IOWA) – The Rapid City Rush, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, defeated the Iowa Heartlanders on Thursday night, 4-2 in Coralville.
Jimmy Soper opened the scoring just 3:24 into the game with his first of the season from Zack Hoffman and Brett Gravelle. 58 seconds later Alex Aleardi scored to make it 2-0 off a cross-ice feed from Maurizio Colella.
While the Rush dominated in shots in the first period 18-7, Iowa drew blood midway through the frame when Nick Campoli found Jesse Jacques for his first of two goals in the contest.
Rapid City earned the two-goal lead back when Blake Bennett collected a rebound and roofed it over Hunter Jones to make it 3-1 at the end of the period.
Jones would duel Matt Radomsky, making his first pro start, and the Winnipeg native was equal to the challenge. A stalling Rush offense managed only eight shots in the final two periods while Radomsky stopped 28 of the 29 he faced in the last 40 minutes.
A late-second-period powerplay saw Jacques score his second of the night with just 42 seconds left in the second period, setting up a thrilling third.
With the Rush offense depleted, Rapid City took back-to-back penalties in the final 10 minutes, giving Iowa a golden chance to tie, but the Heartlanders couldn’t convert. Iowa finished the night 1-for-5 on the powerplay.
Mark Duarte would add the insurance marker for the Rush when Alex Aleardi capped off his three-point performance with a cross-ice pass through the slot.
Rapid City will face Iowa again on Friday night at 5:35 p.m. MT. Fans are invited to join the Rush for their official watch party at Firehouse Sky Box downtown.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers