After the Rapid City Rush took the first two games of the series, the Rush and Maine Mariners were back at it for a special Midnight Madness game to wrap up their series.
Period 1
After shutting out Maine on Friday, the Rush carried their momentum into the Midnight Madness game. At 7:04 into the period, the Rush got on the board first when Billy Constantinou squeezed the puck through the five-hole of Maine’s goaltender. Constantinou’s goal was assisted by Deni Goure and Connor Mylymok.
The Rush extended their lead with a shot from the blue line by Charles Martin. Martin’s shot was tipped by Maurizio Colella and eventually by Chaz Smedsrud, who was credited with the goal. Smedsrud’s goal came at 7:53 into the period, just 49 seconds after their first goal, and was assisted by Colella and Martin.
The Mariners struck back with a tip-in goal from Wyllum Deveaux off a blue line shot from Tristan Thompson. Deveaux’s power-play goal came at 12:11 into the period and was assisted by Thompson.
The Rush responded with a goal from Luke Mylymok after a Maine turnover in their zone allowed Mylymok to crash the net and put it over the shoulder of the Maine goaltender. Luke’s goal came at 13:18 into the first and was assisted by Connor Mylymok and Parker Bowman.
The Rush took a 3-1 lead into the second period after outshooting Maine 14-11.
Period 2
The Mariners opened up scoring in the second after a shot from the right faceoff circle by Brooklyn Kalmikov beat Rapid City’s goaltender. Kalmikov’s power-play goal came 6:11 into the period and was assisted by Tristan Thompson and Jacob Hudson.
Lynden McCallum picked up Brooklyn Kalmikov’s rebound to put it over Rapid City’s goaltender and tie it up at three. McCallum’s goal was assisted by Kalmikov and Jacob Hudson.
Maine then got their first lead of the game off a Sebastian Vidmar goal. Vidmar’s goal came 14:34 into the period and was assisted by Matthew Philip and Matt Allen.
Rapid City closed out the second period scoring to tie the game up with a partial breakaway goal from Trevor Janicke. Janicke’s goal came 16:14 into the period and was unassisted.
The Rush and Mariners were tied at four at the end of the second after the Mariners outshot the Rush 29-5 in the period.
Period 3
After a high-scoring first two periods, the two teams experienced a much quieter third period.
Rapid City started the third period scoring when Trevor Janicke picked up a loose puck in front of the net and put it home. Janicke’s second goal of the night was assisted by Blake Bennett and Joni Jurmo.
Rapid City sealed their win and sweep with an empty net goal from Charles Martin. Martin’s goal came at 18:11 into the period and was assisted by Joni Jurmo.
Final Stats
Rapid City won by a final score of 6-4 after being outshot by the Mariners 54-31. Rapid City went 0/1 on the power play and 1/4 on the penalty kill, while the Mariners went 3/4 on the power play and 1/1 on the penalty kill. Rush goaltender Matt Radomsky had 50 saves on 54 shots for a save percentage of .926, while Mariners goaltender Ryan Bischel had a save percentage of .833 after making 25 saves on 30 shots.
Three Stars of the Game
- Rush forward Trevor Janicke (two goals, three shots, +2)
- Rush forward Deni Goure (one assist, two shots, +2)
- Rush forward Parker Bowman (one assist, +1)
Final Thoughts
This game was a lot harder to judge overall due to the fact that it was played at a very abnormal time. However, one major bright spot for the Rush was that they showed they could win three games in a row, even if they were played in three days. Rapid City does need to work on not allowing as many shots, as allowing 54 shots could cost them games. But Matt Radomsky was able to make some big saves for the team to help keep the momentum and stay in the game.
The Mariners will be back in action on the road against the Norfolk Admirals. The two teams will start their series on Friday, February 21st, before continuing it on Saturday, February 22nd, and wrapping it up on Sunday, February 23rd. Puck drop will be at 7:05 pm ET on Friday and Saturday and at 3:05 pm ET on Sunday.
The Rush will hit the road next week to head to West Valley City, Utah, to take on the Utah Grizzlies. They will start their series on Friday, February 21st, and continue it on Saturday, February 22nd. Their series will wrap up on Sunday, February 23rd. Puck drop will be at 7:10 pm MT on Friday and Saturday and 3:10 pm MT on Sunday.
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