Rush win special teams battle, defeat Eagles 3-2

LOVELAND, Colo. – With their season on the line and in a 2-0 hole, the Rapid City Rush netted three unanswered goals to earn a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Eagles in game 6 of the Turner Conference Finals.
With the win, the Rush now force a deciding game 7 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, set for this Wednesday.
Rapid City’s penalty kill led the way, stopping all nine chances by the Eagles, including a combined three minutes and eleven seconds worth of 5-on-3. Les Reaney now leads all playoff skaters with 20 points after collecting a goal and an assist.
Colorado started the contest off on the right foot, collecting the opening goal at the 6:09 mark. After an offensive zone face off win, Kyle Peto sent a slap shot to the left side of the net that was redirected home by Scott May. May’s fifth goal of the postseason served as the only goal of the first period, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

With the Eagles on the power play nine minutes into the second period, May struck again while on a partial break, snapping shot through the pads of Tim Boron, giving Colorado a 2-0 cushion.
Rapid City’s power play responded when Gio Flamminio flicked a wrist shot from the high slot that made its way past a screened Andrew Penner.
After 40 minutes of action, Colorado held a 2-1 lead despite Rapid City holding a 26-20 shot advantage.
With a carry-over penalty on Scott Wray and delay of game called on newcomer Dan MacIntyre at the 20:00 mark of the second period, the Eagles began the final frame with a two-man advantage for 1:11. Not only did the Rush penalty kill answer the call, but Les Reaney backhanded home the first-ever two-man short-handed goal in team history, evening the game 2-2.
Then with 8:35 remaining in regulation, Derek LeBlanc slapped a rocket from the top of the right circle the beat Penner over the glove, giving the Rush their first lead of the game. Amateur Dan MacIntyre, who arrived to the BEC during the 2nd period, assisted on the eventual game-winner.
Rapid City faced one final power play chance from the Eagles, but the Rush held on for the 3-2 victory.
Tim Boron turned aside 24 shots for his 6th win of the playoffs, while Andrew Penner was dealt just his 2nd loss.
The Rush penalty kill finished the night 9-for-9 and has now stifled the last 20 chances by Colorado. The Rush and Eagles now clash in a deciding game 7, set for Wednesday at 6:35pm MST at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com