The Rapid City Rush traveling to Independence, Missouri this week to take on the Kansas City Mavericks in their penultimate series of the 2024-25 season. With the Kansas City Mavericks having clinched a playoff spot and Rapid City being officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Rush and Mavericks will be playing for pride this series.
Last Week
Last week, the Rapid City Rush were on the road taking on the Tulsa Oilers, still fighting for a playoff spot. Rapid City came out with some fire and was able to take the first game by a final score of 3-2. However, things fell apart for Rapid City after that as they dropped the second game 5-3 and then lost the series finale 8-2, ultimately ending their playoff chances.
The Kansas City Mavericks faced off in a three-game series against the Wichita Thunder. In the first game at home, the Mavericks lost by a final score of 3-2. The two teams then traveled to Wichita for game two, where the Mavericks shut out the Thunder 3-0 before returning home to take the series finale 4-1, winning the series.
Incoming Stats
The Rush and Mavericks have met five times this season, with the Mavericks dominating, going 4-1-0-0. Rapid City is currently sixth in the Mountain Division, while the Mavericks sit 26 points ahead of them in first.
The Rapid City Rush enter this series with a road record of 12-17-4-0 and an overall record of 29-28-6-3. They are converting at 19.8% on the power play (9th) and 77.7% on the penalty kill (26th). The Rush are averaging 32.32 shots per game but are also allowing an average of 34.42 shots against per game. They are averaging 3.09 goals per game while allowing an average of 3.62 goals against per game.
The Kansas City Mavericks come into the series with a home record of 21-9-2-1 and an overall record of 44-17-4-1. The Mavericks are converting at 21.0% on the power play (8th) and have a penalty kill rate of 77.7% (25th). They are averaging 3.52 goals per game while allowing an average of 2.53 goals against per game. The Mavericks are averaging 33.95 shots per game and are allowing an average of 26.11 shots against per game.
Players to Watch
The player to watch for the Kansas City Mavericks is forward Cade Borchardt. Borchardt did not play with the Mavericks in the last series as he was up in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Borchardt returned to the Mavericks on April 1st and will be playing in his first games back in Kansas City against Rapid City. Borchardt currently leads the Mavericks in goals and points, with 35 goals and 29 assists for 64 points in 53 ECHL games this season. He has 24 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +41.
The player to watch for Rapid City is forward and Captain Ryan Wagner. Last week against the Oilers, Wagner had five points in three games with two goals and three assists. This season, he leads Rapid City in goals, assists, and points with 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points in 66 games.
The Rush and Mavericks will kick off their series in Independence, Missouri on Wednesday, April 2nd. They will then continue their series on Friday, April 4th before wrapping it up on Saturday, April 5th. Puck drop will be at 6:05 pm MT on Wednesday and Friday and will be at 5:05 pm MT on Saturday.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
