Rapid City claims 4-2 game one win over Allen

ALLEN, Texas – Game one of the Central Division Finals series was an exciting battle between the top two teams in the division, the Allen Americans and Rapid City Rush. The Rush, fresh off of a big game seven win on Wednesday night, used the momentum built from that game and a slow start from the Americans who’ve had the last ten days off, to propel them to a 4-2 decision and a 1-0 series lead against the Americans Friday night.

The Rush got on the board first at 11:53 when Cody Ferriero found the back of the net on the power play with assists from Daniel Barczuk and Michael Young. Allen responded six minutes later when Gary Steffes one-timed an outstanding pass from Chris Crane into the net, Jamie Schaafsma contributing the second assist on the goal at the 17:57 mark. Rapid City had the shot lead at the first intermission by a count of 11-9.

The Americans dominated the play in the second period, keeping the puck in the Rapid City end for the majority of the frame and peppering Danny Battochio with 14 shots. Despite the pressure, Allen was unable to get the go ahead goal and it would be the Rush who lit the lamp on one of only three shots they managed in the period. Late in the frame Jesse Schultz made a brilliant pass to Daniel Barczuk who fired a one-timer past Joel Rumpel to give the Rush the 2-1 lead, a lead they would not surrender the remainder of the game. The Americans took the lead in shots on net 23-14 after two periods of play.

Rapid City was able to extend their lead to two goals when Winston Day Chief scored late in the period at 15:08 off passes from Kevin Harvey and Patrick Cullen. The Americans answered back 90 seconds later when Spencer Asuchak redirected a Tyler Ludwig shot into the net on the power play with Aaron Gens getting the secondary assist. Dylan Clarke cemented the victory for the Rush with his empty netter at 19:33 with Johan Ryd earning the assist.