RIO RANCHO, NM – In a league where the same old teams were seemingly always in the Ray Miron Finals, the Rapid City Rush and Allen Americans are breaths of fresh air.
The semi-finals in the CHL both went the distance with the Odessa Jackalopes falling to the Americans and the Rush topping the MudBugs. Both series were exciting and each match was hotly contested.
The Rush finished the season with 83 points and edged the Colorado Eagles for the conference crown. Meanwhile Allen finished a distant second to the Jacks in the southern conference and only a late season spate of injuries hampered the club down the stretch.
Les Reaney led the Rush in scoring this past season with 28 goals and 86 points. Scott Wray was a close seodn in points but led the club with stellar +31 stat.
In net, the Rush lean on Danny Battochio who went 28-5-4 with two shutouts on the season. He’s backed up by Miguel Beaudry who has been a favorite of head coach Joe Ferras for years.
On the Allen side, Bruce Graham led the Americans in scoring over the regular season with 79 points and 31 goals. Playing in all 64 games he managed a team leading +23.
In net, Chris Whitley has been the go to netminder for the Americans. He was 31-8-4 on the year with one shutout.
Justin Bowers has been the leading scorer in the post season for the Americans and all of the CHL with 23 points on 8 goals.
Reaney has 16 points on 6 goals and 10 assists for the Rush.
It would be disappointing for this series to go less than seven games. The league should be credited with a competitive product on the ice this season. New faces and names in the Finals is a bonus. Now the real work begins for these two teams on Friday.
Prediction: Rapid City hoists the Cup in seven games.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
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