Mavericks Blanked By Rush in Game One, 3-0

The Missouri Mavericks were shut out by the Rapid City Rush, 3-0, Friday night in Game One of their opening round series in the Central Hockey League (CHL) playoffs.  Rapid City goaltender Tim Boron was stellar in net stopping all 31 shots by the Mavericks.  Forwards Jared Brown and Jesse Schultz each had two assists for the Rush and three different players had goals for Rapid City.  The teams will battle again Saturday night in Rapid City in Game Two of the best-of-seven series.

“It is a seven-game series,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman.  “We do not panic, but we must heighten the sense of urgency.  We missed an opportunity to win Game One.  It was a very even hockey game, we had our chances and did not bury the puck.  Credit to Rapid City, they capitalized on two big mistakes and found the back of the net.”

Rapid City took a 1-0 lead when Winston Day Chief took a centering pass from Brown and sent the puck into the open net.  Kyle Peto earned the second assist on the play and it proved to be the only goal of the first period.  Missouri had two power play chances compared to one for Rapid City and the Mavericks registered more shots on net at 12-8.

The second period had a lot of action both ways, but it was the Rush who scored a late goal to make it 2-0.  Brown again made a nice pass, this time to Dan Gendur who beat Clemente at 18:28 of the second period.

Missouri battled to get back into the game, but three penalties in the third period hindered the Mavericks progress.  In the end, Scott Wray added an empty net goal to make it 3-0 and give the Rush a Game One victory.

Neither team was able to score on the power play as Missouri finished 0-for-5 and Rapid City was 0-for-4.  Rapid City finished with 32 shots and Missouri had 31.

Opening Round – Rapid City leads 1-0

Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Rapid City Rush (4)

All times Central

Game 1- Missouri 0 at Rapid City 3

Game 2 – Sat., Mar. 30 – Missouri at Rapid City, 8:05

Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 3 – Rapid City at Missouri, 7:05 – Round One, Game A - Independence Events Center

Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 5 – Rapid City at Missouri, 7:05 – Round One, Game B - Independence Events Center

*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 6 – Rapid City at Missouri, 7:05 – Round One, Game C - Independence Events Center

*Game 6 – Tue., Apr. 9 – Missouri at Rapid City, 7:35

*Game 7 – Wed., Apr. 10 – Missouri at Rapid City, 7:35