ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans secured the top slot in the Berry Conference as well as the Central Hockey League with a 5-4 win over the visiting Rapid City Rush. 
This weekend’s two-game series is a re-match of the 2010 Central Hockey League finals series, which the Rush won in six games (4-2), including a 4-3 double-overtime win in the final contest to win their first Ray Miron President’s Cup. Allen Americans Center Jarret Lukin recorded a hat trick tonight, leading the Americans to their seventh win of the year. “It was pretty intense out there,” Americans Center Jarret Lukin said. “They are definitely old rivals, going back to year one.” Lukin opened the scoring in the first period, netting the first of three on the night. Bruce Graham passed to Jason Deitsch, who found Lukin wide open in front of the net to give Allen a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Rapid City would score two times, shorthanded. Les Raney tied the score at 1-1 at the 4:02 mark of the period. 23 seconds later, it was a Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs reunion with a score by Shawn Limpright from Michael Couch at the 4:25 mark, and the Rush led for the first time 2-1. Four minutes later, Jarret Lukin picked up his second of the night from Colton Yellow Horn and Scott Langdon at the 8:45 mark, tying the game at 2. After the Rush regained the lead for the second time in the period at 3-2, Mike Berube would even things up again with his first of the season, from Bruce Graham at 13:39. Rapid City defenseman Wade Poplawski was removed from the ice on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for precautionary measures late in the second period. Poplawski was hit in the head by Langdon’s shoulder, and was rendered unconscious. The contest was delayed for approximately 10 minutes, and Langdon received a Boarding Major as well as a Game Misconduct penalty. Jason Deitsch put the Americans back on top in the final frame with his third goal of the season, and second in three games, to make it a 4-3 contest. Jarret Lukin then completed the hat trick with his third of the night, on a pass from Yellow Horn behind the net to give Allen a two goal cushion at 5-3. Rapid City would add one more to cut the gap to 5-4 in the third, as Jesse Shultz scored on a penalty shot. Allen held on for the final eleven minutes, killing a five-on-three power play late in the third to win their seventh game of the season. The Americans penalty kill was outstanding, shutting down all seven Rapid City power play opportunities. Jason Deitsch, with his two-point night, extended his point streak to 12 games. Deitsch is tied for second in the league in scoring with 17 points (3 G, 14 A, +8). Pro Hockey News’ Chip Crail photographed the game at the Allen Events Center and has submitted the following images to illustrate the hard-fought contest.
Les Reaney tallies the first Rapid City goal%2C short-handed of a feed from Michael Couch.
Marco Cousineau denies a Rapid City goal with his catcher
Collin Circelli (%2311) is stymied by Americans defenseman Trevor Ludwig.
Bruce Graham takes the puck into the attacking zone. Graham had three assists on the night.
Rapid City defenseman Wade Poplawski is taken off the ice by paramedics after being knocked unconscious in the second period.
Allen winger Keith Johnson is sent off-balance by Rapid City defenseman Riley Weselowski.
Rapid City%27s Jesse Schultz (%2328) and Konrad Reeder wait for an opportunity in front of the Allen net.
You must be logged in to post a comment.