Rapid city, SD – The expansion Rapid City Rush have proved to be more than an your average expansion team. Facing their first 14 games on the road is more than tough for any team, let alone an expansion team, but that is what the Rush face during their first season in the CHL. And face it they are, and with a tenacity that makes this first year team exciting to watch, and something for their fans to be proud of. The Rush have played five regular season games so far, and even though they have only a single win to their credit, they have taken each of their four losses into overtime, gaining a point from each, and currently they hold second place in the Northwest Division. Opening the regular season with back to back games against the highly talented Colorado Eagles, the Rush stood their ground, and made everyone forget that they were a expansion team. During the game, Rapid City jumped to a 2 goal lead early, stunning the Eagles. Forward Chris Lipset made Rush history by getting the first Rush goal in regular season play, when he scored at the 6:39 mark of the first period. The Rush added a second at 7:49 as the Colorado fans sat in shock. Colorado regrouped and scored two of their own ending the period tied at 2. Rapid City did not back down, and a tough second period saw the Rush again score, and they held Colorado scoreless. A wild third period saw Colorado out shooting the Rush 17-7, and scoring 4 in the process, but the Rush made their shots count scoring 3 of their own, the period ended tied up at 6, and a shocked Colorado crowd saw the Eagles entering overtime with the Rush. A scoreless overtime lead to a shoot out, where the Eagles were able to secure the win. Final Colorado 7 Rush 6. The second game again saw Rapid City jump to a 2 goal lead midway through the first before Colorado tied the score at 2 before the period ended. Colorado came out strong in the second and scored 2 and shutting down the Rush. A third period had the Rush on the attack. Down by a goal, they tied the game at 6:43. The Eagles came back and took the lead on a goal by McGrane at the 8:43 mark, giving Colorado the lead. A final charge by the upstart Rush gave them a goal with only 42 seconds left when forward Rich Hansen scored ending the third period knotted at 4. A scoreless overtime again sent these two teams into a shoot out, where Rapid City again lost by a single goal, but again, picked up a point. Final Colorado 5 Rapid City 4. The Rush next traveled to Corpus Christi, where they took on the Rays. The Rush dominated play during the first period, out shooting the Rays 16-2. One of the two shots the Rays managed during the period slipped in, and the Rush scored twice during the period. Dominating the remainder of the game, the Rush received their first ever win with a final score of 8-2. The next night the Rush faced the Killer Bees. Another hard fought game would need to go into over time to determine a winner, after the Rush managed to knot the score at 3 each when they scored twice in rapid succession at the 14:09 and 14:33 marks. After a scoreless overtime, the Rush dropped another game in a shootout, final score Rio Grande Valley 4 Rapid City 3. Laredo was the next stop for the Rush, where another hard fought game would end regulation time tied at 2. But overtime would determine this game. Laredo forward Jason Dixon scored at just 25 seconds into overtime giving Rapid City their fourth overtime loss of the season. Rapid City has proved to be hard playing, tough team in the early going of their first season. Facing a extremely difficult schedule, this team has proved it is not your ordinary expansion team. When they finally have a home of their own, they look to be anything but a easy win. This is a team with real heart.
Contact the author at buck.pettry@prohockeynews.com
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