CHL Championship Game 4, Rapid City uses 3 goal 2nd period to tie series

Early goals by Allen Americans All-Stars Justin Bowers & Bruce Graham in the first 3 minutes wasn't enough as the Rush came-back to score 3 goals in the 2nd period which included goals from Derek Leblanc and Brandon Hodge who have been there time-and-time again for the Rush all post-season long to get the Rush a 3-2 lead late in the 2nd period.

Then in the 3rd, it was Jon Pelle who ended a goal scoring drought that goes back to the middle of the Conference Semifinal Series against the Missouri Mavericks.

Both goalies had very strong nights as Whitley had 35 saves despite losing in an ability to at-least keep the Americans of having a shot of taking a 3-1 series lead and having a chance of winning the championship at home.

As for Rapid City's Danny Battochio he had 27 saves to get the series tied to make Game 5 a huge tipping point in the series as the Best-of-7 final would go back to Rapid City for the final time this season for Game 6 which is on Tuesday Night. If a Game 7 & Championship Decider is needed, it would be on Friday Night to ultimately decide who will win the 2010 CHL Presidents Cup Championship.

Rapid City is hoping to use this Game 4 success to maybe head back up to South Dakota up 3-2 on Saturday Night. While Allen wants to end the home season on a high as a win would put them on the brink of a championship in their teams first season in league history.

Despite the 4-2 score, a huge scrum broke out with 1:12 left in the 3rd period where several fights and even abuse of officials was seen to end what was a very exciting Game 4 of the League Championship Series.

From the Allen Americans Website: www.allenamericans.com

From Allen, Texas: The Americans dropped Game 4 tonight 4-2 to the Rapid City Rush at the Allen Event Center. The Rush tied the best-of-7 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 1st period. Graham lit the lamp with a wrist shot from the high slot 29 seconds later that unleashed a defining roar from the crowd. Allen protected the 2-0 lead throughout the rest of the 1st period.

Rapid City scored two straight goals to tie the game by 12:12 of the 2nd period. The first Rush goal came from Derek Leblanc, while the 2nd was a power play goal right after a 5-on-3 man advantage expired. This one belonged to Brendan Lodge. Four minutes later, the Rush's leading scorer, Les Reaney, gave Rapid City its first lead 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 5-on-3 advantage for Rapid City at 10:20. The Rush scored 20 seconds into the power play when Jon Pelle hacked the puck in past Whitley to bring the score to 4-2. The game contuined to the 18:48 mark when a scrum broke out. The Ref accessed 12 penalties from the stoppage. The game that ended with the 4-2 final score for the Rush to tie the series at 2-2.

Americans rookie Netminder Chris Whitley broke three records tonight. He now has played the most minutes by a goalie in the post-season with 1066, has the most appearances in a single post-season with 18 and has the most saves with 536.

Whitley ended the night with 35 saves tonight, while Rush backstop Danny Battochio stopped 27 shots. Both teams ended the night with two power play goals.

The Championship Series continues in Allen Tomorrow night with Game 5. The 7:30 PM Contest will be the last of the Americans inaugural season. To show the club's appreciation to all its fans, the Americans and the Allen Event Center are offering $2 Hot Dogs and $2 Beers. The first 5,000 fans will receive Red Americans T-Shirts in an effort to Red-Out the Rink.

Additionally, the first 2000 fans will receive free thunder sticks, and they will be a fan-fest beginning at 5:30 PM. Festivities include bounce houses, interactive gaming areas, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall and so much more.

Tickets are available by calling 972-912-1000, going to www.allenamericans.com or stopping by the Allen Event Center Box Office. The Box Offices are open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Monday through Saturday. Fans interested in multiple game packages are encouraged to speak with Allen Americans representative savings off walk-up prices at 972-912-1000.


Series Tied 2-2

Game Boxscore

Rapid City Rush 4 Allen Americans 2 (0-2, 3-0, 1-0)

0-1 ALN: Justin Bowers (PP) (Graham, Yellow Horn) 2:43 1st

0-2 ALN: Bruce Graham (PP) (Benn, Musitelli) 3:12 1st

1-2 RPC: Derek Leblanc (Flamminio, Wray) 9:21 2nd

2-2 RPC: Brendon Hodge (PP) (Grimson, Wray) 13:12 2nd

3-2 RPC: Les Reaney (Cook, Fritshaw) 17:10 2nd

4-2 RPC: Jon Pelle (PP) (Hodge, Grimson) 10:39 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: RPC 39 ALN 29

PP: RPC 2/8 ALN 2/6

PIM: RPC 33 Minutes on 11 Penalties ALN 70 Minutes on 16 Penalties

Goalies: RPC Danny Battochio 27 SVS on 29 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 35 SVS on 39 Shots

ATT: 5693

3rd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

2nd Star: Brendon Hodge (RPC)

1st Star: Danny Battochio (RPC)