RAPID CITY, S.D. — Johnny Curran scored in his team debut and Cameron Buhl netted two goals as the Rapid City Rush extended their winning streak with a decisive 7-3 victory over the Allen Americans at The Monument.
Goaltender Arsenii Sergeev anchored the defense for Rapid City, stopping 45 of 48 shots to preserve the win.
The Rush opened the scoring 4:19 into the first period when Brett Davis found the net unassisted. Rapid City doubled its lead at 12:22 when Cameron Buhl scored his first of the night on assists from Arvils Bergmanis and Chaz Smedsrud.
With 14:10 elapsed in the first, Allen’s Trevor LeDonne was called for hooking from behind on a breakaway, awarding Rapid City a penalty shot. Quinn Olson converted the opportunity against Americans goaltender David Tendeck, sending the Rush into the first intermission with a 3-0 lead.
Allen responded in the second period, successfully killing a penalty before Harrison Blaisdell put the Americans on the board at the 5:00 mark, assisted by Anthony Costantini and Danny Katic. The Americans cut the deficit to one at 6:29 when Brayden Watts scored the game’s only power-play goal following a tripping call on Rapid City’s Bobby Russell.
The Rush regained momentum when Johnny Curran, signed to the roster earlier that afternoon, scored his first goal with the team at 12:34 of the second period. Seth Fyten and Matt Hubbarde provided the assists. Rapid City’s special teams successfully killed a late second-period penalty on Davis to maintain a 4-2 lead.
After a series of successful penalty kills by both teams to start the third period, the Rush offense surged. Buhl scored his second goal at 13:09, leaving Tendeck out of position. Less than a minute later, Bobby Russell extended the lead to 6-2 off feeds from Fyten and Curran.
Jackson Decker added an unassisted goal for Allen at 16:53, but Seth Fyten capped the scoring for Rapid City at 17:57, securing the 7-3 final.
Tendeck finished with 27 saves on 34 shots for the Americans.
Buhl, Curran, and Sergeev were named the three stars of the game.
The Rapid City Rush host the Allen Americans again on Friday, Dec. 12, at The Monument. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. MST.
For tickets, corporate sponsorship, or special game packages, contact the Rush at 605-716-7825 or visit www.rapidcityrush.com.
One Response
Huge start for Curran!
Momentum was on their side during this one.
Time to regain it back.