Rapid City 3, Colorado 2
(Video by Jake Nordbye/IDS) *Available in HD and Full Screen*
(Loveland, CO) – With the 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 at 6:35pm. 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 faceoff 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 Rush on the powerplay 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 powerplay 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 shorthanded 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 powerplay 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 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tickets are still available.
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The Eagles are a great group of individual highly skilled hockey players. No doubt about it. But are they a team of brothers like the Rush are? No doubt about it that inside that group of of guys playing for the Rush, the heart of a championship team is beating strongly. I don’t know about the Eagles. I keep hearing about the lopsided record during the regular season between these 2 teams. Yet they wound up with the same final records, and the Rush won the unlikely tiebreaker. That means that for every game the Eagles beat the Rush, they lost to someone else, and the Rush beat someone else. So if the Eagles own the Rush, then the Rush owns everyone else. The Rush are a remarkable team that you dont get to experience very often in life. Take advantage of it and enjoy them, people! It has been so awesome to watch what they do. Go Rush!
What a great night and game. We had a Rush party last night for the neighborhood. The internet provides an excellent opportunity to view the game. Reaney and LeBlanc goals where something special. Most teams would of gave up after the slow start. Champions know how to close the must win games and the Rush proved they got what it takes. Injuries are a part of any series like this and the Rush are showing depth and the ability to step up when others are down or gone. I just can’t say enough for a job well done. Thanks for providing great entertainment. Thanks you IDS for being there and covering the event live. Also thanks to 100.3 The Fox and Daniel for telling it like it is. Can’t wait for tomorrow night.
The no call goal in game 5 was ridiculous!
At Big City: There were ridiculous things that happened against the Rush also, especially in game 2. The Eagles were awarded a goal that was a hand-pass, and a diving call was made in the final few minutes of the game which led to another goal for the Eagles. A diving call in the last moments of a play-off game? You want to talk ridiculous? That was ridiculous. Loosing game 2 was huge for the Rush. The reffing is problematic. You just have to be good enough to overcome, and try not to whine about it too much.
“No Call” in game 5 ridiculous! (benefit Rush)
“Hand Pass” in game 2 ridiculous! (benefit Eagles)
Guess We’re Even……Go Rush!!!!!
I for one am enjoying seeing one feather plucked at a time. The Rush were ready to play last night and there wasn’t anybody going to stop them. Colorado was stunned and didn’t know how to react, THAT’S HOCKEY and it really showed with the performace. As far as the refs its the refs they even make bad calls in th NHL doesn’t matter where you play or which team you are. You are never the popular person in the crowd.Lets pluck that last feather tommorow night and move forward where CHAMPIONS belong!!!!!
Go Rush
Small Town-
The “hand pass” was debatable, the missed puck in the goal was ridiculous and the ref should pay for it with his pay check next time!
-Big City
I agree with the first sentence bugbreath said even though I HATE the eagles but hes right Rush is a good team to so ya idk really