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| Monday, May 10, 2010 |
Rapid city wins 2010
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Courtesy of the Rapid City Rush Web Site
Tuesday night marked a historical night for the Rapid City Rush and the town of Rapid City. The Rapid City Rush won the Ray Miron President’s Cup and were crowned CHL Champions after a thrilling, double overtime victory over the Allen Americans in game 6. Les Reaney earned playoff MVP honors and assisted on the game-winning goal that was scored by Scott Wray with 32 seconds left in the second overtime. Rapid City becomes the fourth franchise to win claim the Championship in just the second season of existence.
“It’s a phenomenal feeling,” said Rich Hansen. “For all we went through last season, Joe [Ferras] brought back the core players and added a number of key components that led to the success this season. It’s amazing, the amount of success this team has made with the jump from the inaugural season.”
The Americans came storming out in the first period, taking a commanding 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Nino Musitelli was the first to light the lamp at the 2:15 mark on a shot that found its way short side. Bruce Graham gave the Americans a 2-0 lead at 16:11 on a wrist shot from the right circle. The Americans would extend the lead to 3-0 on a goal with just 28 seconds left in the opening period as Christian Gaudet slid a shot five-hole from a tough angle.
In the middle frame, Rapid City would cut the lead down to two, scoring the lone goal of the period. Jon Pelle cycled the puck down low to Blaine Jarvis who found Gio Flamminio cutting to the net, and Flamminio fired a one-timer home to make it 3-1.
In the final period, things looked as though they were headed to game 7, but the Rush collected a pair of goals just two minutes apart to tie the contest. The first came at 14:54 on a shot from Cody Bostock that was tipped home by Blaine Jarvis to cut the lead in half. Rapid City would complete the comeback at the 16:54 mark on a shot from Brendan Cook from along the goal line that ricocheted off of Chris Whitley and into the net to make it 3-3.
A total of 25 shots were fired on net in the first overtime period, but netminders Danny Battochio and Chris Whitley exchanged highlight-reel saves.
The game was headed to a third overtime, but the Rush had different ideas. Les Reaney broke into the offensive end and sailed a backhand pass that went off of Whitley’s blocker and caromed off the body of Scott Wray and into the net for the Championship winning goal with just 32 seconds left in the second OT.
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