`The Rapid City Rush are back on home ice this weekend looking to continue their hot streak while taking on the Idaho Steelheads.
First Period
While the Rush started the game being massively outshot by Idaho, they managed to get on the board first with a goal from forward and captain Ryan Wagner. Wagner’s powerplay goal came at 18:22 into the first period, assisted by Deni Goure and Chaz Smedsrud.
Rapid City led 1-0 at the end of the first period, despite being outshot 14-5.
Second Period
The Rush and Steelheads saw a more offensive second period after the Rush started the scoring just 1:52 into the period. Rush forward Blake Bennett picked up a rebound in front of the net, taking a sharp-angle shot and sneaking the puck behind Idaho’s goaltender. Bennett’s goal was assisted by Dalton Skelly and Deni Goure.
The Steelheads got on the board with a goal from Nick Canade, who managed to get a close-up shot over the shoulder of Rush goaltender Matt Radomsky and into the back of the net. Canade’s goal came at 7:36 into the period and was assisted by Patrick Moynihan and Jade Miller.
Rapid City responded with a goal from Connor Mylymok, who picked up a rebound in front of the net and put it up and over Idaho’s goaltender, giving the Rush a 3-1 lead. Mylymok’s goal was assisted by Mitchell Smith and Chase Pauls.
Idaho finished off the second period scoring to bring themselves back within one. While on a powerplay, Ty Pelton-Byce deflected a Francesco Arcuri shot into the back of the net. Pelton-Byce’s powerplay goal came at 14:06 into the period and was assisted by Arcuri and Jason Horvath.
Rapid City took a 3-2 lead heading into the third period, despite being outshot 14-11 in the second.
Third Period
Rapid City was again able to get the scoring started early in the period, with Chase Pauls scoring his first professional goal. Charging into the zone, Pauls managed to get a wrist shot off, sending the puck over the blocker-side shoulder of Idaho’s goaltender. Pauls’ first professional goal came at 1:37 into the period and was assisted by David Gagnon, who registered his first professional point, and Chaz Smedsrud.
Rapid City then followed Pauls’ goal with three consecutive powerplay goals: one from Maurizio Colella and two from Deni Goure, all within 1:23. Colella’s goal was assisted by Holden Wale and Luke Mylymok, while Goure’s goals were both assisted by Blake Bennett and Ryan Wagner, giving the Rush a 7-2 lead.
Idaho responded with three goals of their own, including two even-strength goals six seconds apart, both from Nick Canade. Canade’s first goal was unassisted, and his second was assisted by Mason McCarty and Matt Register. Idaho’s third goal, bringing them within two of Rapid City, was scored at 14:33 into the period by AJ White on the powerplay. White’s goal was assisted by Ty Pelton-Byce and Patrick Moynihan.
After several failed attempts, Rapid City sealed the game with an empty-net goal from Maurizio Colella following a neutral zone turnover by Idaho. Colella’s goal came with 16.5 seconds left in the game and was unassisted.
Rapid City was outshot 14-13 in the final period.
Final Stats
The Rush won by a final score of 8-5 after being outshot 42-29. Rapid City went 4/8 on the powerplay while going 2/4 on the penalty kill. Idaho went 2/4 on the powerplay and 4/8 on the penalty kill. Rush goaltender Matt Radomsky made 37 saves on 42 shots for a save percentage of .881. Idaho’s starting goaltender Ben Kraws had 19 saves on 26 shots for a save percentage of .731, while relief goaltender Brian Wilson had two saves on two shots faced.
Three Stars of the Game
- Rush Forward Deni Goure (two goals, two assists, two shots, +1)
- Rush Forward Blake Bennett (one goal, two assists, six shots, +1)
- Rush Forward Ryan Wagner (one goal, two assists, three shots, +1)
The Rush and Steelheads will wrap up their series on Saturday, March 1st with puck drop at 7:05 pm MT.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
