GAME NOTES: February 2 - Rush at Maine Mariners

(PORTLAND, Maine) - The Rapid City Rush, proud affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, continue their season-long road trip tonight as they face off against the Maine Mariners at 5:15 from Cross Insurance Arena. 

The Rush have not face the Mariners in franchise history, and have not played a game in the eastern time zone this season. Rapid City is three points out of a playoff spot entering tonight's game.

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THE MAINE EVENT

The Rush look to snap a five-game losing skid as they face the Maine Mariners for the first time in team history tonight. Rapid City has not won since the All-Star Break, but also have a 7-1-0 record against non-divisional opponents. The Rush are just one game out of the playoff picture after going 0-3 against Utah last weekend.

BILLY THE KID

Defensemen Billy Constantinou was claimed off the waiver wire on Sunday and now faces his old team in his first game back. Constantiou has 11 assists and a goal this season, with 29 of his 32 games having been played for the Maine Mariners. During his junior career, Constantinou played in the OHL with Niagara, Kingston, and Soo before making his professional debut with the Iowa Heartlanders in their inaugural year. Constantinou has also skated in four AHL games. 

BUILDING BLOCKS

During the last series with Utah, the Rush had a lead at some point in all three games, leading in the first on Wednesday, the second on Friday, and carrying a two-goal lead into the third period on Saturday. Rapid City scored first in two of the three games against the Grizzlies. Despite the good foundation, the Rush lost in regulation for just the second time this season when entering the third period ahead on Saturday. R.C. has claimed 14 of their 17 victories when they score first. 

“C” FOOD

Logan Nelson is riding a three-game point streak heading into the series against Maine. The Rush co-captain has taken over wearing the “C” on the road while Alex Aleardi now serves as captain at home. Nelson earned his 400^th career professional point on Friday with an assist on Brett Gravelle’s goal. Nelson would add a goal of his own later in that game.

MATT MAGNIFICENT

Matt Radomsky leads the ECHL in saves once again with 758. Radomsky, a rookie, has 10 wins this season. Making his feat even more impressive, Radomsky has played the fourth-most minutes of any ECHL goalie this season, and is second behind Jonathan Lemieux in minutes for a rookie goaltender. Radomsky has carried a shutout bid into the third period twice in January. 

AR YOU READY?

Alex Aleardi has the 14^th-most points in the ECHL this season, and is ranked sixth in overall scoring in the Mountain Division. Aleardi, an All-Star, is one point shy of being a point-per-game player with 40 points (14g, 26a) in 41 games. Aleardi eclipsed 200 ECHL points in January and has now skated in over 500 professional games. He is three goals shy of his 100^th career ECHL goal. 

PUTTING JANUARY AWAY

The Rush managed a 3-8-0 record in January, their worst month of the season so far. Fortunately, R.C. still won one of their four series in the month, and remains bolstered by an 8-4-1 December record. Despite slipping last month, the Rush are still well within striking distance of both Allen and Tulsa for the final two playoff spots in the Mountain Division. The Rush see exclusively Mountain Division competition during their five-game homestand in February. 

KEEPING IT CLOSE

The Rush are 12-7-2 this season in games determined by two goals or less. However, the Rush are 2-11-0 in three-goal games this season. The Rush are also 13-2-2 when leading after the second period, but only 2-14-1 when entering the third period down. Three of the last five Rush wins have come by a goal. 

FIRST MEETING

It is the first time in Rush history that they’ve faced off against Maine. The Rush will welcome Savannah to Rapid City later this month for the first all-time meeting with the Ghost Pirates.

MAKING IT A 40-MINUTE GAME

The Rush have an even goal differential when combining the first, second, and overtime periods. However, the team currently holds a -25 goal differential in the third period. The team is being outscored 13-1 in the third period during the five-game skid and has not scored in the final frame in their last four games. The Rush however, are above league average in both first and second period goals for. 

EASTERN TIME

The Rush have yet to play a game in the eastern time zone this season, but will play six of them in February. Three in Maine this weekend, and three in Greenville after the upcoming homestand. The Rush remain without a home regulation win on Friday on the road and will look for their fourth Friday win of the season tonight. 

IN THE ZONE

The Rush penalty kill did not allow a goal to the Utah powerplay during the last series. R.C. was 6-for-6 on the penalty kill and is now ranked 20^th in overall kill in the ECHL, a high-water mark for this team this season.