The Rapid City Rush and Idaho Steelheads completed their series in Rapid City on Saturday night.
First Period
Similar to Friday night, the Steelheads got on the board first with a goal came from Nick Canade. Canade’s goal came 4:09 into the first period and was assisted by Mark Olver and Lynden McCallum.
Rapid City was able to strike back with a goal from Joni Jurmo 10:55 into the first period. Jurmo’s second of the season was assisted by Chaz Smedsrud and Charles Martin.
Idaho was able to take the lead back 13:32 into the first with a goal from CJ Walker. Walker’s third of the season was assisted by Brendan Hoffmann and Patrick Kudla.
Idaho ended the first with a 2-1 lead after being outshot 13-8 by the Rush.
Second Period
After a three-goal first period, there was only one goal in the second, coming from Ty Pelton-Byce, giving the Steelheads a 3-1 lead. Pelton-Byce’s third of the weekend came 13:08 into the second and was assisted by AJ White and Matt Register.
Idaho took a 3-1 lead into the third after outshooting the Rush 17-9 in the second.
Third Period
The Steelheads were able to make it 4-1 13:35 into the third with Ty Pelton-Byce’s second of the game and fourth of the weekend. Pelton-Byce’s powerplay goal was assisted by Hank Crone and Matt Register.
Rapid City outshot Idaho 10-2 in the third.
Final Stats
The Steelheads were able to take the game by a final score of 4-1 after being outshot by the Rush 32-28. The Rush were 0/3 on the powerplay and 2/3 on the penalty kill, while Idaho was 1/3 on the powerplay and 3/3 on the penalty kill. Rush goaltender Connor Murphy made 24 saves on 28 shots for a save percentage of .857. Steelheads goaltender Bryan Thomson had 31 saves on 32 shots for a save percentage of .969.
Three Stars
- Steelheads forward Ty Pelton-Byce (two goals, three shots, +1)
- Rush defenseman Joni Jurmo (one goal, one shot, -1)
- Steelheads goaltender Bryan Thomson (31 saves on 32 shots)
Final Thoughts
After a close first period, the Rush let the game get away from them in the second period and were not able to comeback. Rapid City was not as aggressive as they were in Idaho and will need to find that aggressiveness going into the series against a gritty Allen Americans. Idaho simply played a better, cleaner game than the Rush and were able to finish on their plays. Idaho was able to do the small things right, and it ended up paying off for them in the end.
The Rush will be back in action Wednesday, November 27; Friday, November 29; and Saturday, November 30. The Rush will be at home against the Allen Americans, with puck drop at 7:05 pm MT all three nights.
The Steelheads will be back in action Wednesday, November 27; Friday, November 29; and Saturday, November 30. The Steelheads will be at home against the Tahoe Knights Monsters, with puck drop at 7:10 pm MT all three nights.
