GAME NOTES: November 10 - Rush vs. Tulsa Oilers

(RAPID CITY, S.D.) - The Rapid City Rush, proud affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, will suare off with the Tulsa Oilers this evening at 7:05 p.m. at The Monument.

The Rush fell 4-1 last night at home to Tulsa and are still searching for their first home victory of the season. 

In arena F.M. broadcasts are expected to resume this evening on channel 87.9! 

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OILERS GET FIRST ROAD WIN

The Rapid City Rush fell to 0-2-1 at home this season with their defeat last night at the hands of the Tulsa Oilers. The Rush were outshot for the eighth time this season and now find themselves in the crosshairs of the three teams trailing behind them in the division. Last night marks the sixth straight game the Rush have failed to covert on the powerplay, but the penalty kill has not allowed a goal in three straight games either. 

GOALTENDING IS NOT THE PROBLEM

Matt Radomsky allowed two goals before he was pulled for an extra attacked. He has posted a .922 GAA in five starts and ranks among the best of ECHL rookie netminders. Radomsky is expected to shoulder most of the workload with Connor Murphy being recalled by the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. He was 6^th in NCAA wins last year with Alaska-Fairbanks and 7^th in GAA. 

THINGS GETTING TESTY

After opening the season without a fight in five games, the Rush have shed the mitts in three of their last four. Tyson Helgesen, Zack Hoffman, and Will Riedell have all fought this season after Riedell grappled with Luka Profaca following his boarding penalty against Logan Nelson.

WINNING PERCENTAGE

The Rush are not panicking after last night’s loss. The Rush still have the third-best win percentage in the ECHL Mountain Division and have games-in-hand over the Wichita Thunder. The Rush and Thunder will meet next weekend from Kansas before Rapid City returns home to battle familiar rival Idaho. 

POWERPLAY STRUGGLES

The Rush powerplay has now gone six straight games without scoring a powerplay goal. The unit is working at only 10 percent on the season and was 0-for-2 last night. The Rush have only scored one powerplay goal at home this year, but are 20% (1-for-5) on the PP at The Monument. 

BRETT GRAVELLE SEEKS 100

Brett Gravelle’s assist on Alex Aleardi’s goal gave him career point 94 last night. Gravelle has played 116 games for the Rush and has scored 91 of his points with the Rush organization. 

ALEARDI ON THE RISE

Despite being one of the oldest players on the roster, Alex Aleardi continues to produce at a high level. He leads the team in points with nine, and is under 15 goals and 15 assists shy of his 100^th career ECHL goal and assist. 

Aleardi was a Ligue Magnus champion in France before returning to the U.S. with the Florida Everblades where he won the Kelly Cup in 2022. Aleardi is the only ECHL league champion on the Rush roster. 

SHOTS

For the second straight game, Rapid City was held to just nine shots through two periods of play by the Oilers defense. The Rush only had four shots on net in the first period – tied for the season low in a single period. The Rush have outshot their opponent only once this season (a 3-0 loss to K.C. on 11/03). 

TRAILING STATS

The Rush have scored first in seven of their nine games this season, but are 0-2 when they do not score first. The Rush are still the league leaders in scoring first. 

Rapid City has also been ahead or tied entering every third period except for two, and they lost both of those two as well. 

DISCIPLINE

While the penalty kill has staved off 15 of the last 16 penalties taken, the Rush have still taken more penalties than their opponent in the last three games. The Rush were shorthanded on three separate occasions last night, but kill every penalty despite giving up five powerplay shots to the Oilers

IS IT GETTING THROUGH

It has now been five straight games that the Rush have been victimized by 10+ blocked shots by their opponent. When the Rush find shooting lanes, they are producing offense at a better-than-league-average pace, but Rapid City has struggled with pucks getting on goal. 

THROUGH 10 GAMES

If Rapid City can secure a victory in tonight’s game, they will be a game ahead of last season’s pace and looking to continue. The Rush have failed to collect a win at home this season and are looking to surge above .500 once again.