The speed of light is measured at 299,792,458 meters per second.

Just as quickly the crowd of 5,119 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center went from a nervous anxiety to an excited frenzy as the Rush came back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 and capture the Ray Miron President's Cup in double overtime.

The Rapid City Rush, in only their second year of existence, showed their grit and "never-say-die" attitude tonight.  Even when the chips were down and most of the arena was anticipating a Game 7 on Friday.

After another sluggish start to the game, the Rush found themselves down 3-0 going into the 1st Intermission.  The Allen Americans secured goals from Nino Musitelli (Yellow Horn) at 2:15, Bruce Graham (powerplay) (Yellow Horn, Musitelli) at 16:11, and Christian Gaudet (Yellow Horn, Straub) at 19:32.

The Rush couldn't seem to get any offense going while being outshot 15-12.

The second period showed a little bit more life as the Rush outshot the Americans 12-11 and netted their first goal at 12:02 by Gio Flamminio (Jarvis, Hansen).

The Ice Arena finally had something to celebrate.

But as the minutes wound down in the third period the Rush faithful began to make plans for Friday's Game 7.

Destiny had other plans, however.

Blane Jarvis (Bostock, Pelle) pulled the Rush within 1 at 14:54 and the crowd responded with boisterous applause and cheering.  And Brendan Cook (King, Bostock) knotted the game-tying goal at 16:54.

Danny Battochio and the Rush "D" did the rest as they fought off every American shot to send the game into overtime.

It seemed like the 1st and most of the 2nd OT was filled with near misses.

American netminder, Whitley, seemed to always be able to poke his glove or stick in at the last minute to keep the game in doubt.

On the verge of heading into Triple Overtime, though, the Rush found a way.

Scott Wray poked in a rebound from playoff MVP Les Reaney with 32 seconds left to send a packed Ice Arena crowd into a frenzy, ending an epic 2OT thriller.

“I saw (Wray) going to the net, so I put the puck on net and saw his shot bounce off Whitley’s chest and go in the net,” Reaney said. “It was pure adrenaline. We were getting stronger and stronger each shift.”

“You win a championship tonight as a team, tomorrow you’ll walk together as brothers forever,” head coach Joe Ferras said in a pre-game talk.

And brothers they are, and forever will be.  Bringing the first CHL Championship to Rapid City.

Courtesy of the Rapid City Journal, as broadcast before the Cup Presentation

Editor's Side Notes:
I must say that this is one of the worst officiated games I have ever witnessed, live or televised.  The penalties that went uncalled, especially obvious ones right in front of the ref, were uncalled for.  The most notable one was when a Rush player was hooked around the neck with the hockey stick by an American player and dragged to the ice.  This happened with two refs in plain sight and no called was made.  I'm very happy that errant calls, and non-calls, did not decide the outcome of this game or series.  Great job, Rush.  The entire community is proud of what you've accomplished!!

I would also like to thank Daniel Nieves for granting Free Sports Press media credentials to cover Rush home games, John Hess for being such a huge help with credentialing, and Sarah Moore for being a fabulous statistician for me as well as Trisha Cuka for filling in when needed.

All photos con­tained within this post remain the sole prop­erty of Mike Crook and Free Sports Press and may not be repro­duced with­out permission, obtain­able by email­ing Mike Crook.