RAPID CITY, S.D. – Trailing after giving up two goals to begin the final period, the Rapid City Rush roared back with four unanswered tallies to secure a 6-3 win over the Fort Wayne Komets in Game One of the Turner Conference Semifinals on Friday night. 
A four point night by Jesse Schultz paced all skaters while defenseman Dave Grimson added a three point effort, including his first goal since coming out of retirement.
The Rush were the first team to get on the board this series as team captain Scott Wray potted the first goal of the 2012 playoffs for Rapid City. After a shot from the left-point from defenseman Riley Weselowski, Komets goaltender Nick Boucher made the stop, but the rebound caromed off of Wray and trickled in for the 1-0 lead.
Chris Auger, Fort Wayne’s leading goal-scorer during the regular season, answered back at the midway point of the period when he slammed home a centering pass.
After struggling to find the net on the power play, the Rush man-advantage finally answered the call on a 5-on-3 opportunity. After a low shot from Shawn Limpright, a rebound came loose to a wide-open Jesse Schultz at the bottom of the left circle, and the veteran’s wrist shot gave the Rush a 2-1 lead after forty minutes.
The opening two periods of close, defensive hockey, both teams exploded for six combined goals in the final frame.
Fort Wayne took control of the contest, potting two goals in the opening 3:13 of the period. The first came just 37 seconds in on a screened blast from the top of the left circle by team captain Colin Chaulk.
The Komets then took their first lead of the game when crisp passing through the neutral zone set up Leo Thomas for a breakaway tally and 3-2 advantage. However, the Rush were quick to respond and dictated the rest of the game, scoring four unanswered goals. Just a minute and a half after the Thomas goal, Dominic D’Amour’s cross-ice pass set up Shultz at the left face-off dot for a laser to the top-shelf, short-side.
At the 7:26 mark, Collin Circelli send a wrist shot from a severe angle that somehow trickled its way through Boucher and in for a power play goal and 4-3 lead.
One minute and thirty-two seconds later, Jake Morissette set up defenseman Dave Grimson in the low slot for Grimson’s first goal since coming out of retirement for the Rush. Finally, Morissette added and empty net goal to give Rapid City the 6-3 win and 1-0 advantage in the series.
The following images were recorded at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Arena on Friday night.
Rush fans and players celebrate after a goal on Fort Wayne%27s Nick Boucher.
Fort Wayne center Brett Smith awaits an opportunity near the Rapid City net.
Fort Wayne%27s Brett Smith checks Rapid City%27s Shawn Limpright against the boards.
Rapid City%27s Tim Boron makes a diving save on a shot by Fort Wayne%27s Chris Auger.
Rapid City goalie Tim Boron guards the net.
Fort Wayne%27s Tom Mele checks Rapid City defenseman Andrew Smale.
Rapid City defenseman Garrett Gruenke applies pressure to Fort Wayne%27s Tome Mele.
Rush players celebrate their Game One victory.
Contact the photographer at johnrothwell@prohockeynews.com
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