(RAPID CITY, S.D.)—The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, look for their first win against the Oilers this season on Youth Sports Night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MDT on Friday at The Monument Ice Arena.

WATCH | LISTEN

LAST TIME OUT
The Rapid City Rush were shut out by the Tulsa Oilers, 5-0, at The Monument Ice Arena on Wednesday. Tulsa scored three times in the second period and twice more in the third. Dylan Fitze recorded a hat trick for the Oilers, his first multi-goal game since the 2023-24 season. The Rush were facing a significantly better-rested team and did not have top-line forwards Ryan Chyzowski and Quinn Olson. The Oilers outshot Rapid City, 46-21, and improved to 4-0 against the Rush in the season series. Vyacheslav Buteyets recorded his sixth career shutout and second against Rapid City with a 21-save performance. Rico DiMatteo stopped 41 out of 46 shots, snapping a personal three-game winning streak.

MUCH-NEEDED REST
There is no question that the imbalance in rest played a factor in Wednesday’s result. Tulsa played home games on Wednesday and Saturday, while the Rush were coming off a road three-in-three concluding on Sunday with all three games tightly contested and bringing a playoff feel. The team had an optional skate yesterday before today’s game and hopes the day of rest can become an equalizer.

GETTING THEIR FEET WET
With the majority of the Rush’s post-college signings coming with the team on a two-week road trip, five players took the ice for their first home game on Wednesday: Clay Hanus, Hunter Donohoe, Eric Parker, Cole Tymkin, and Sean Strange. Strange, out of the University of Calgary, made his professional debut as well. Four of Rapid City’s six dressed defensemen made their home debuts.

NEARING A MILESTONE
Garrett Klotz played his 200^th game as a member of the Rush on Wednesday. The 18-year pro is nearing a bigger milestone: ‘The Sheriff’ is three away from 700 professional games, between the ECHL, AHL, CHL, and EIHL. Klotz has spent part or all of the last eight seasons with the Rush.

CELEBRATING THE KIDDOS
Tonight is Youth Sports Night, presented by Loyal Plumbing Heating & Cooling and the YMCA. The Rush will honor well over a hundred athletes from the Rushmore Hockey Association and the Black Hills Youth Football League for a parade on the ice during the first intermission.

MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE
When Sean Strange made his Rush debut on Wednesday, he became the 45^th skater and 50^th player overall to suit up for the team this season. The 45 skaters used is a Rush franchise record, while the 50 total players match the high mark from the 2017-18 season.

RORY, HARVEY, AND BLASTY
Affiliation Night returns to The Monument Ice Arena on Saturday. The Rush are honoring their affiliates from north of the border with a Rory Kerins bobblehead giveaway, courtesy of Bluepeak. Kerins is the first player in the Calgary affiliation era to advance from Rapid City to the National Hockey League. Also, Harvey the Hound and Blasty the Bronco—the Flames’ and Wranglers’ mascots—are joining Nugget at a Rush game for the very first time.

HONORING BLAINE JARVIS
The Rush will announce the winner of the annual Blaine Jarvis Heart and Soul Award prior to puck drop on Saturday with an on-ice ceremony. The 2026 recipient will be joined alongside former winners Garrett Klotz and Danny Battochio. The award is the organization’s highest individual honor, given to the Rush player that best exemplifies Blaine’s qualities on and off the ice. This year is the 10^th anniversary of Jarvis’ tragic passing in a snowmobile accident at the age of 31.

The Rapid City Rush return home to face the Tulsa Oilers on April 1^st, 3^rd, and 4^th at The Monument Ice Arena! We’re rolling out the C of Red on Saturday, April 4^th for Affiliation Night, presented by KT Connections. Head to www.rapidcityrush.com or call 605-716-7825 to secure your seats today.