(Evansville, IN) – With the ongoing battle against injuries and a shortened bench, the Rapid City Rush toppled the Evansville IceMen with a 5-2 triumph on Friday night. In front of 5,715 at the Ford Center, the Rush took down the top team in the Turner Conference led by veteran captain Scott Wray who collected his second career hat trick and second of the week for Rapid City. Konrad Reeder earned his second four-point night of the week, picking up a goal and three assists. The victory gives the Rush three straight wins on the road and sole possession of the final playoff spot in the Turner Conference. The teams hit the ice again tomorrow at 6:15pm MST and the game can be heard live on 100.3 the FOX.

Both teams exchanged leads in the first period, finishing with a 2-2 tie after 20 minutes. Just 2:21 into the game, excellent passing between Konrad Reeder and Scott Wray set up Blake Forsyth on the backdoor for his first goal of the season. The IceMen responded with a pair of goals, taking their first and only lead of the game. Malcolm Gwilliam capitalized on a 2-on-1 before John Ronan rifled home a shot to the short side for a 2-1 lead at the 11:54 mark. The Rush tied the score on a powerplay goal from Scott Wray who blasted a shot from the high slot at the 16:09 mark.

Wray continued his momentum in the second period, netting the only two goals of the frame. The first came exactly five minutes into the frame when a costly turnover by an IceMen defenseman allowed the captain to sneak a shot home for the 3-2 advantage. He then doubled the lead at the 9:03 mark, angling in a rebound off of a shot from Reeder.

Goaltender Tim Boron shut the door in the final period, totaling 41 saves on the night, setting a new Rush season record for saves in a game. Konrad Reeder added his fourth point of the night on an empty-net goal to give Rapid City the 5-2 decision.

Rapid City’s special teams were on display, most notably the penalty kill that shut down all eight IceMen chances, including over three minutes worth of 5-on-3 time. The powerplay awakened with a 2-for-5 effort on the night, converting on its first two chances.