Rapid City ties finals 2-2 with 4-2 win over Americans
ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans dropped Game Four tonight 4-2 to the Rapid City Rush at the Allen Event Center. The Rush tied the best-of-seven Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals 2-2.
The Americans scored early, taking advantage of two power play opportunities. Justin Bowers struck first off a pass from Bruce Graham at 2:43 of the first period. Graham lit the lamp with a wrist shot from the high slot 29 seconds later that unleashed a deafening roar from the crowd. Allen protected its 2-0 lead for the remainder of the frame.
Rapid City scored two straight goals to tie the game by 12:12 of the second period. The first Rush goal came from Derek LeBlanc, while the second was a power play goal right after a five-on-three man advantage expired. This one belonged to Brendan Hodge. Four minutes later, the Rush’ leading scorer, Les Reaney, gave Rapid City its first lead of the playoffs in Allen. The period ended with a 3-2 Rush advantage.
The Americans attempted a comeback in the third period, but the players had to kill off a two-minute five-on-three advantage for Rapid City at 10:20. The Rush scored 20 seconds into the power when Jon Pelle hacked the puck in over Whitley to bring the score to 4-2. The game continued to the 18:48 mark when a scrum broke out. The referee accessed 12 penalties from the stoppage. The game then ended with the final score 4-2.
Americans’ rookie netminder Chris Whitley broke three records tonight. He now has played the most minutes for a goalie in a single postseason (1066), has the most appearances in a single postseason (18) and has the most saves (536).
Whitley had 35 saves tonight, while Rush backstop Danny Battochio saved 27 shots.
Both teams ended the night with two power play goals.
The championship series continues in Allen tomorrow night with Game Five. The 7:30 p.m. contest will be the last home game of the Americans’ inaugural season. To show the club’s appreciation to all its fans, the Americans and Allen Event Center are offering $2 beers and $2 hot dogs. The first 5,000 fans will receive free Americans red T-shirts in an effort to red out the rink. Additionally, the first 2,000 fans at each game will receive free thunder sticks, and there will be “Fan Fest” beginning at 5:30 p.m. Festivities include bounce houses, interactive gaming areas, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall and more.
Tickets are available by calling 972-912-1000, going to allenamericans.com or stopping by the Allen Event Center Box Office. The Box Office is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fans interested in tickets to multiple playoff games are encouraged to speak with an Allen Americans representative regarding savings off walk-up prices at 972-912-1000.
The box score is available on Pointstreak.com.
Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals
Allen Americans vs. Rapid City Rush
Game 1 – Friday, Apr. 23 – Allen 4 @ Rapid City 1 (Allen leads 1-0)
Game 2 – Saturday, Apr. 24 – Allen 4 @ Rapid City 5 OT (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3 – Wednesday Apr. 28 – Allen 5 vs. Rapid City 2 (Allen leads 2-1)
Game 4 – Friday, Apr. 30 – Allen 2 vs. Rapid City 4 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5 – Saturday, May 1 – Allen vs. Rapid City, 7:30
Game 6 – Tuesday, May 4 – Allen @ Rapid City, 7:35
*Game 7 – Friday, May 7 – Allen @ Rapid City, 8:05
*If necessary
Photo by Amy Guiterrez.
