(RIO RANCHO, N.M.)—The Rapid City Rush (3-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, meet the New Mexico Goatheads (1-3-2) for the first time in a two-game series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MDT on Friday at Rio Rancho Events Center.

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LAST TIME OUT
The Rapid City Rush fell to the Kansas City Mavericks in the series finale, 3-2, on Slumberland Furniture Ice at The Monument Ice Arena on Saturday. Lucas Sowder scored the eventual game-winning goal by pushing home a rebound from Alex Swetlikoff’s wrist shot with 7:34 remaining in the third period. The Mavericks struck in rapid succession early in the second, scoring on consecutive shots to go up 2-0. Rapid City used their special teams to respond. Ryan Mahshie punched home a power play goal later in the second. Then, while killing a penalty early in the third, Quinn Olson broke up the Mavericks’ power play, raced down the ice, and tucked a shot home on the short side to tie the game. Rapid City outshot Kansas City, 41-33, but could not find the equalizer.

I THINK WE SHOULD SEE OTHER PEOPLE
While the Rush gladly accept a historic 3-0 start and a series victory over the defending Western Conference Champions, nobody will complain about Rapid City seeing a new opponent. We mean new opponent, too – this is the first-ever meeting between the Rush and New Mexico Goatheads, the expansion franchise which effectively takes the Utah Grizzlies’ place within the Mountain Division.

PENALTIES KILLED
Rapid City’s penalty kill was tremendous in the Kansas City series, and a net-positive through five games. The Rush are 15-for-16 on the kill with two shorthanded goals scored, one from each of the team’s top two centers, Quinn Olson and Marko Sikic.

STRONGER BY THE PERIOD
All three games last weekend followed the same trend: the Rush being outshot in the first period, but rebounding nicely and winning the shot battle for the remainder of the game. Rapid City outshot the Mavericks, 72-52, over the second and third periods throughout the series, and the quality of the Rush’s game improved as well.

A RUSH REUNION
Waiting for us in New Mexico are three members of the 2025-26 Rush squad: Cameron Buhl, Briley Wood, and Aaron Chiarot. Buhl and Wood spent all of last season with Rapid City before signing with the Goatheads over the summer. Chiarot only played three games with the Rush, but logged his first pro fight in the process.

TIME TO RE-FIND THEIR GROOVE
The Rush’s top line looks to return to their season-opening form after producing only two points (1g+1a) over the last three games. The group of Ryan Wagner, Quinn Olson, and Alex Young combined for 12 points (6g+6a) in the two road games at Kansas City on October 16^th and 17^th.

BACK IN THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT
While this is the first meeting between the Rush and Goatheads, this is not the team’s first visit to New Mexico: Rapid City faced the New Mexico Scorpions during the 2008-09 season, the Rush’s inaugural year and the Scorpions’ final go-round. The Rush franchise has yet to record a win in Rio Rancho, having gone 0-2-1 at the Scorpions.

2026-27 Rapid City Rush season tickets, mini plans, and group experiences are on sale now! You can score the best deals on tickets and take advantage of exclusive perks, including season ticket holder-only events and discounts at the team store. Call the Rush office at 605-716-7825 or visit www.rapidcityrush.com to learn more and secure your seats today.