Leading 2-1 with thirteen minutes remaining in regulation, the Rapid City Rush gave up four unanswered goals to the Missouri Mavericks in a 5-2 loss at the Independence Events Center on Saturday night. The Rush now trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 and will need a victory on Tuesday at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center if they are to force a game #7 and extend their season. Tuesday’s game #6, which is set for a 6:35 puck drop, are on sale now through www.gotmine.com or by calling the Rush office at 716-7825.

The Rush scored the all-important first goal of the game just 2:45 into the first period. Rookie Scott Brannon broke into the Mavs zone on the right-wing side and centered a pass to Rusty masters who redirected in his first career playoff goal.

Midway through the second frame, the Mavs evened the score when Kellan Tochkin capitalized on a Rush line change and buried his third goal of the series. However, with less than three minutes to go in the period, Rusty Masters rose to the occasion and regained the lead for Rapid City. As the Mavericks attempted to clear the defensive zone, Masters dove to the ice at the top of the right circle to keep the puck in, but his shot snuck past goaltender Mike Clemente to make it 2-1.

The Rapid City Rush were upended by the Missouri Mavericks 4-2 on Friday night in game four of the CHL’s opening round series which now sits at two games apiece. With the loss, game six is now necessary back in Rapid City on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:35pm and tickets are currently available at gotmine.com or 716-7825.

For the first time in the series, the Mavericks struck the opening goal of the game, a powerplay tally at the 12:50 mark of the first. After solid puck movement along the perimeter, Kenton Miller accepted a pass at the bottom of the right circle, attacking the net and sliding a shot inside the post for the lone goal of the period.

Missouri came firing out the gate in the second period, netting two goals and extending their lead to 3-0 just 1:52 into the frame. The first came from Kellan Tochkin while on the powerplay just twenty-two seconds in before Miller potted his second of the night to end goaltender Tim Boron’s night. Midway through the period, the Rush finally stopped the bleeding when Winston Day Chief capitalized on a turnover for his second playoff goal.