Huge Nights by Cook & Reaney put Rush on the Brink of the Presidents Cup

Huge night by Brendan Cook & Les Reaney with 4 points each put the Rush within 1 win of the team's first ever CHL Presidents Cup Title as they lead the Rush on an offensive explosion as the Rush had balanced scoring with 2 goals in each of the 1st & 3rd periods. Along with a 3 goal 2nd period to lead the Rush to a 7-2 win in Game 5 down in the D/FW Area. This puts the Rush in great position going back to South Dakota for the final time this season.

Despite going down 2-0 in the first 7 minutes, the Americans responded well to make it 2-1 with a goal by Justin Bowers and then Colton Yellow Horn tied the game late in the first. But that was as close the Americans got in this one as the Rush scored his first 2 of the playoffs that eventually lead to a hat trick. While Les Reaney scored his 2nd of the night to make it 5-2 in the 2nd as Chris Whitley and the Americans had no answers on this night as they suffered the biggest loss of this year's post-season.

Whitley was pulled after 2 periods. However, backup goalie David Mckee couldn't do much better as he gave up 3rd period goals to Brendan Cook & Derek Leblanc to make it a 7-2 final score.

Rapid City goes back to South Dakota in great shape as a single win will give them the Championship. While Allen will need to win on Tuesday & Friday for Games 6 & 7 to bring the Championship to the Dallas Area.

The Americans have shown they can play, during the 2 regular season games, the Americans were 1-1 as both games were one goal games. Then in Games 1 & 2 of the playoffs, Allen won Game 1 4-1 while Rapid City won Game 2 5-4 in OT. So they have shown to play well in South Dakota early on in the Finals Series.

From the Allen Americans Website: www.allenamericans.com

From Allen, Texas: The Allen Americans lost tonight to Rapid City in front of a sell-out crowd of 6,003 at the Allen Event Center on Saturday Night. The Rush have a 3-2 series lead in the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Finals. The Club will travel to Rapid City for Game 6 on Tuesday and Game 7 on Friday if needed.

Rapid City scored the game's first two goals before the Americans fired back with two of their own. Rush forward Derek Campbell opened the scoring at 3:10. Five Minutes later, Les Reaney hit a puck sitting on the goal line to make it 2-0.

At 9:10 of the first period, Justin Bowers snapped a wrist shot from the high slot past Rapid City Backstop Danny Battochio to cut the visitor's lead in half. Forward Colton Yellow Horn was next light the lamp. He totally came with 3:57 remaining in the opening frame on the power play. The score was tied at 2-2 at 20 minutes.

Rapid City put three more goals on in the 2nd period. Brendan Cook scored the first of two at 4:03 and 10:33. His second was on the power play. Then, Les Reaney picked up a tally with 3:02 left in the frame. Even though Allen hounded the Rush Cage, the club could not find the back of the net. Rapid City had a 5-2 advantage heading into the 3rd period.

Allen Replaced Chris Whitley in net with Goalie David Mckee to start the 3rd. Cook secured a hat trick just 47 seconds into the final frame after netting his 3rd goal. Derek Leblanc scored Rapid City's last goal of the night just 3 minutes later to make the final score 7-2.

Whitley made 10 saves on 15 shots, while Mckee stopped 5 of 7. Battochio recorded 24 saves this evening to get the win.

Tonight's contest marked the last home game of the team's first season in Allen. Game six will take place on Tuesday, May 4, in Rapid City at 7:35 PM. If Necessary, Game 7 will be Friday, May 7, at 8:05 PM. Boston Pizza in Mckinney will be hosting a Team Watching Party for fans on Tuesday Night.


Rapid City Leads Series 3-2

Game Boxscore

Rapid City Rush 7 Allen Americans 2 (2-2, 3-0, 2-0)

1-0 RPC: Derek Campbell (Reaney, Bostock) 3:10 1st

2-0 RPC: Les Reaney (Cook, Jarvis) 7:32 1st

2-1 ALN: Justin Bowers (Fairbarn, Whelan) 9:10 1st

2-2 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (PP) (Benn, Bowers) 16:03

3-2 RPC: Brendan Cook (Campbell, Grimson) 4:03 2nd

4-2 RPC: Brendan Cook (PP) (Wray) 10:33 2nd

5-2 RPC: Les Reaney (Bostock) 16:58 2nd

6-2 RPC: Brendan Cook (Reaney, Wray) 0:47 3rd

7-2 RPC: Derek Leblanc (Pelle, Hansen) 4:23 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: RPC 22 ALN 26

PP: RPC 1/7 ALN 1/6

PIM: RPC 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties ALN 16 Minutes on 8 Penalties

Goalies: RPC Danny Battochio 24 SVS on 26 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 10 SVS on 15 Shots David Mckee 5 SVS on 7 Shots

ATT: 6003

3rd Star: Danny Battochio (RPC)

2nd Star: Les Reaney (RPC)

1st Star: Brendan Cook (RPC)

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)

Yellow Horn & Bowers have huge nights, Gives the Americans a 2-1 Series Lead

Huge nights with Colton Yellow Horn's Hat Trick plus Justin Bower's 2 goals in the first period stunned the Rapid City Rush who was looking to continue their momentum from the Game 2 OT Win at the Allen Event Center.

In addition to Yellow Horn & Bowers, Americans goalie had to take on a ton of Rush shots as the Rush out-shot the Americans 37-25 in the game, including 14-7 in the 2nd period. For that, they have rookie goalie Chris Whitley to think as he stopped 35 of 37 shots in the game to allow Yellow Horn's 2nd period goals to go up 4-1 and eventually be a big difference in game. Other great nights came from Jarrett Lukin & Tyler Wooddisse who each had two assists in the game.

Rapid City Goals by Brendan Cook & Scott Wray made the score 4-2 late in the 3rd period. But Whitley was able to keep the Rush from coming any closer in this game. Rapid City Goalie Danny Battochio also had to be pulled after the Americans made it 4-0 in the 2nd period. Despite Beaudry stopping all 12 shots and giving the Rush a chance to comeback late, it was to little to late as Yellow Horn scored an empty netter to give him his first pro hat trick of his career.

From the Allen Americans Website: www.allenamericans.com

From Allen, Texas: Colton Yellow Horn scored his first professional hat trick tonight en route to an Allen Americans 5-2 win at the Allen Event Center. The win gives the Americans a 2-1 series lead over Rapid City in the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Final.

The Americans started off their first final's home game by bringing in North Texas hockey icon Norm Green to do the ceremonial puck drop. The former Dallas Stars Owner arrived ready for playoff hockey, wearing his tie that he dons for postseason action.

After the Green Puck Drop, the Americans went on to open the game with a power play at 2:10. Justin Bowers shoved the puck past Rush Netminder Danny Battochio from the top of the crease for his ninth playoff goal. With 6:22 remaining in the first period, Allen increased its lead to two. Bowers scored his 2nd of the night off of a pass from Veteran Erik Adams. After 20 minutes, Allen led 2-0.

Allen's offense continued to score in the middle frame, even when the club was shorthanded. Colton Yellow Horn deked around the Rapid City Defender with an incredible move and lit the lamp 1:25 into the 2nd period on the penalty kill. Yellow Horn grabbed another goal on a three-on-two rush later in the 2nd. Nino Musitelli left a drop pass from Captain Jarrett Lukin, who passed the puck a fallen defender to an open Yellow Horn. The forward poked the puck in his 8th of the playoffs at 10:10.

The Rush replaced Battochio in net with Miguel Beaudry after the fourth Allen Goal of the game similar to Game one. Rapid City got on the scoreboard at 12:11 when Brendan Cook's shot from the high slot hit the back of the net. The goal brought the score to 4-1.

The next goal of the game came at 12:12 of the final period, when Scott Wray grabbed a tally on a slap shop to bring the Rush within two. Rapid City put an extra attacker on the ice with two minutes to go, but Yellow Horn ruined any hopes of the visitors had a comeback when he scored an empty netter to earn a hat trick. The final score 5-2.

Allen's record is now 3-0 in Game 3's in this year's playoffs.

The Championship Series continues in Allen for Game Four and Five on April 30 and May 1, respectively. To show the club's appreciation to all its fans, the Americans and the Allen Event Center are offering $2 beers and $2 hot dogs at the last home games of the team's inaugural season. Additionally, the first 2,000 fans at each game will receive free thunder sticks, and there will be a fan fest before every game at 5:30 PM. Festivities includes bounce houses, interactive gamezones, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall and so much more. Both games start at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available by 972-912-1000, going to gettix.net or by stooping by the Allen Even Center Box Office. The Box Office is open from 10 AM to 6 PM Mondays through Saturdays. Fans interested in tickets to multiple playoff games are encouraged to speak with an Allen Americans representative regarding savings at walk up prices at 972-912-1000.

Allen Americans Leads Series 2-1


Game Boxscore

Rapid City Rush 2 Allen Americans 5 (0-2, 1-2, 1-1)

0-1 ALN: Justin Bowers (PP) (Graham, Yellow Horn) 2:10 1st

0-2 ALN: Justin Bowers (Adams, Fairbarn) 13:38

0-3 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (SH) (Wooddisse, Lukin) 1:33 2nd

0-4 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (Lukin, Musitelli) 10:10 2nd

1-4 RPC: Brendan Cook (Bostock) 12:11 2nd

2-4 RPC: Scott Wray (Reaney, Leblanc) 12:12 3rd

2-5 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (EN) (Wooddisse) 19:08 3rd


Game Stats

PP: RPC 0/6 ALN 1/4

SOG: RPC 37 ALN 25

PIM: RPC 18 Minutes on 9 Penalties ALN 20 Minutes on 10 Penalties

Goalies: RPC Danny Battochio 8 SVS on 12 Shots Migueal Beaudry 12 SVS on 12 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 35 SVS on 37 Shots

ATT: 3532

3rd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

2nd Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

1st Star: Colton Yellow Horn (ALN)

CHL Shots from the Point on the Presidents Cup Final

3 times a week during the playoffs. The Central Hockey League does a segment called "Shots from the Point" to provide news and notes, quick-hits and briefs on the Playoffs. Here's today's edition which will get you ready for the 3 Games in Allen which begin tonight as the battle for the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship continues.

From The Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

The Rapid City Rush and Allen Americans will met in Game 3 of the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Championship Series with the series tied at 1-1. Tonight mark's the first of three straight games at the Allen Event Center where the Americans are 5-2 during the post-season.

Game's 4 & 5 are scheduled for Friday & Saturday Night at the Allen Event Center. Game 3 has not been much of an indicator in the past as the team that has won Game 3 has won either the CHL or the WPHL Championship 13 of 21 times in league history. The Game 3 winner has won the series in each of the past two seasons and in three of the last 4.


Presidents Cup Championship Update:

Game 1, 4/23: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 1
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1269586

Game 1 Story: http://centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/index.html?article_id=4603


Game 2, 4/24: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 5 (OT)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1269587

Game 2 Story: http://centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/index.html?article_id=4605


Game 3, 4/28: @ Allen 7:30 PM

Game 4, 4/30: @ Allen 7:30 PM

Game 5, 5/1: @ Allen 7:30 PM

Game 6, 5/4: @ Rapid City 6:35 PM MDT*

Game 7, 5/7: @ Rapid City 7:05 PM MDT*

*If Necessary

Game 1: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 1

Allen goaltender Chris Whitley made 48 saves and the Americans scored four times in the 2nd period to earn the Game 1 win. Nino Musitelli led the way offensively scored a pair of goals in the win.

Game 2: Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 5 (OT)

Rapid City Defensemen Dave Grimson scored the game tying goal with less then a minute remaining and Blane Jarvis scored his first professional OT Game Winner as the Rush evened the Series. Allen Chris Whitley's made 52 saves in the losing effort. Brendon Hodge and Les Reaney each had three helpers for the Rush.


CHL TV

Catch all of the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Playoffs live on CHL-TV. Individual Live Games and archives are available as well as the packages that allow you purchase a series at a time. Throughout the post-season, the CHL has partnered with Bieler Bros. Records (www.bilerbros.com) giving each Live Game or archive purchase a free download from Bieler Bros. Records Artists and for every playoff package, fans receive a free Bieler Bros. Record CD. Visit http://chltv.insinc.com for more info.


Close Calls

The Americans will play each of the next three games on home ice where they are 5-2 during the post-season. Although they have an impressive home record, the Americans have only outscored the opposition 27-21 in their seven playoff contests. The line of Justin Bowers, Bruce Graham, Nino Musitelli have combined for 39 points (14G 25A) with a +22 in the seven home games so far.


Comfy in Allen

The Rapid City Rush have lost home-ice advantage but they have good memories in their only previous visit to the Allen Event Center. On Friday, January 15, the Rush dismantled the Americans 6-1 handing them one of the biggest losses of the season on home ice during the regular season. Les Reaney scored a pair of goals and Scott Wray and had a goal and two assists. Danny Battochio stopped 33 of 34 shots earning the win.


Series Quick Hits

• Nino Musitelli leads all skaters with 12 goals in the post-season (CHL Playoff Record is 17). He is currently on a four game goal scoring streak with five goals over that time.
• Rapid City's OT Win on Saturday's moves their OT Record in the Post-Season to 4-0. Conversely, the Americans are 0-3 in playoff games this post-season.
• Allen's goaltender Chris Whitley has made 100 saves on 106 shots in the two games combined so far versus Rapid City. The rookie stopped 48 shots in Game 1 and 52 in Game 2. Whitley is 9-7 in the playoffs so far and with his next appearance, he will tie the CHL record for most appearances by a goaltender in the playoffs (Chad Erickson of San Angelo and Steven Plouffe of Ft. Worth). Whitley is within reach as well of breaking Erickson's records for most minutes played and saves in a playoff season.
• The imporantance of drawing first blood is magnified with the Rush and the Americans as the team strikes first typically wins the game. So far in the playoffs, the Rush and the Americans are a combined 14-3 when scoring first and through the first two games of the Finals, the team that scored first won the game.

Q&A with Allen Americans Head Coach Dwight Mullins

Dwight Mullins has taken an expansion team from its infancy to the League Championship in the team's first season in the D/FW Suburb of Allen. Prior to joining the Allen Americans, Mullins in his first full season with the franchise to a 2nd place finish in the Southern Conference.

His coaching style has allowed the Americans to have a strong balance of offense which has been led by the top players of Nino Musitelli, Bruce Graham and Justin Bowers who have scored double digit goals in the playoffs. A strong defense like Jordie Benn & Ryan Fairbarn have lead a rock-hard defense that gave up the 2nd fewest goals of the 10 playoff teams this season with 183.

After winning 2 7 Game Matchups against the Odessa Jackalopes & Laredo Bucks in the Conference Semifinals & Finals. The first 2 games ended up very well in the Final against the Rapid City Rush with a 4-1 win in Game 1 and a 5-4 OTL in Game 2. This will be a huge week for their CHL Championship Hopes as they will play their 3 Home Games this week on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday Night as they look to defend home ice and take giant steps towards winning the CHL Presidents Cup Championship.

Here's the Q&A with Allen Americans Head Coach Dwight Mullins that the League did earlier this week.

1. What has been the biggest key to your playoff run so far?

Our players have done a great job in focusing on the game at hand and we haven't gotten too high or too low through the playoffs.


2. Did you expect a rookie in goal to be as steady and calm as he appeared?

Chris has had great success in the playoffs the past few years, That, combined with a strong regular season has him feeling very confident. He has definitely met our expectations and is a major player in our playoff success.


3. What has the addition of Mike Salekin as a playoff performer meant to your team?

Mike is like Gum on the bottom of your shoe! He's going to make you know he's there every step! He is an unbelievable competitor and a warrior every night.


4. The line of Bruce Graham, Justin Bowers and Nino Musitelli has been nearly unstoppable, how has your plan on using them translated to actually using them in games?

They have definitely led the way offensively, the big plus is they have competed and performed even when they not together.


5. Who or what is your toughest matchup for your team when it comes down to taking on the Rapid City Rush?

Very well balanced, well coaches team, they transition quickly through the neutral zone and can generate some quality scoring off it.


6. When did you feel that you had something special in Allen and a team that could be playing in the Final?

Well it's been a special year, starting with the day we drove to Allen and saw the facility and area, It was very exciting and we couldn't wait to get started. The Finals! wow, we have had such a great battle to get here. We believe in ourselves more and more as we work through each series, and honestly, like I started before we haven't through past tomorrow.


7. With such a young team, what has the veteran presence of Erik Adams meant to your team?

Eric is a solid character guy and has really been a big asset on and off the ice. He comes from a great tradition of winning from the Eagles and that has helped in our program.


8. How important was taking Game 1 in the Finals?

Winning any games in the playoffs is important, Rapid City does a great job in supporting their team and makes it challenge to win there.


9. Any fear of losing momentum with the OT Loss in Game 2?

No, none, we are focused on Game 3 and putting fourth the effort to win their game.

Rapid City's Blane Jarvis's OT Winner Ties Championship at 1-1

After the Americans used a huge 2nd period to win the opening game of the Final. Blane Jarvis might have had a hard luck night if it weren't for the OT Winner as he pretty much did everything but score throughout the night as he had 7 SOG on the Game, but had no luck until 4:17 into the OT when he finally got his 5th goal of thie year's playoffs to the tie the Championship Series.

Allen defiantly had a great night as Nino Musitelli had has 3rd goal of the Championship Series and 12th overall this year. In addition to his 10 assists which gives him 22 points for the playoffs (3rd Overall in Playoff Scoring). Colton Yellow Horn & Bruce Graham also scored in the 3rd period as the Americans were looking to get the series back to Texas as the Americans were looking to lead 2-0.

Now with the Series tied at 1-1, the Championship Series shifts to the northern part of the Dallas Area as Game 3 will be on Wednesday Night. Game 4 will be taking place on Friday then Game 5 on Saturday Night as all 3 games are going to be needed.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Rapid City, South Dakota: Things are all even in the Ray Miron Presidents Cup Finals after the Rapid City Rush struck late in regulation tying the game and then went on to win 5-4 in Overtime tying the best-of-7 series at 1-1 against the Allen Americans.

The Rush struck first with Scott Wray scoring his sixth goal of the playoffs at the 13:45 mark of the first period.

The Teams would exchange goals in the 2nd period with Christian Gaudet scoring for the Americans and Derek Leblanc for the Rush. After 40 minutes, the game was fairly defensive with the score 2-1.

The fireworks went off in the 3rd period, Dave Grimson decided to make his impact on the game scoring his first of two third period goals. His second came with just 39 seconds remaining in regulation tying the game and sending it to Overtime.

In the extra session, the Rush took advantage of a rebound getting several chances with Blane Jarvis finally knocking home the game winner at the 4:17 mark of the extra period. The other Americans goal, scored in the 3rd period, was notched by Nino Musitelli, his league leading 12th of the playoffs.

The Rush outshot the Americans 57-39 as Chris Whitley made 52 saves but took the loss. Danny Battochio made 35 saves earning his ninth win of the playoffs.

The Series will now shift to the Allen Events Center as Game 3 will be scheduled for Wednesday Night as the winner will take a critcal 2-1 series lead.

Series Tied 1-1

Game Boxscore

Allen Americans 4 Rapid City Rush 5 (OT) (0-1, 1-1, 3-2, 0-1)

0-1 RPC: Scott Wray (Hodge, Cook) 13:45 1st

1-1 ALN: Christian Gaudet (Yellow Horn, Benn) 9:21 2nd

1-2 RPC: Derek Leblanc (PP) (Reaney, Hodge) 17:28 2nd

2-2 ALN: Colton Yellow Horn (Lukin) 2:26 3rd

3-2 ALN: Bruce Graham (Benn) 9:40 3rd

3-3 RPC: Dave Grimson (Reaney, Battochio) 10:25 3rd

4-3 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Bowers, Graham) 14:33 3rd

4-4 RPC: Dave Grimson (EA) (Hansen, Reaney) 19:21 3rd

4-5 RPC: Blaine Jarvis (Cook, Hodge) 4:17 OT


Game Stats

SOG: ALN 38 RPC 57

PP: ALN 0/4 RPC 1/3

PIM: ALN 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties RPC 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 52 SVS on 57 Shots RPC Danny Battochio 34 SVS on 38 Shots

ATT: 5119

3rd Star: Colton Yellow Horn (ALN)

2nd Star: Dave Grimson (RPC)

1st Star: Blaine Jarvis (RPC)

Huge 2nd Period Gives the Americans a Game 1 Win

A 4 goal 2nd period led by Nino Musitelli with 2 goals plus Justin Bowers who had an assist and did everything else but score in the Game gave the Americans a huge Game 1 win just 2 days after beating the Odessa Jackalopes in the Conference Finals.

Just about everyone had a huge night where it came together in the 2nd period such Chris Whitley stopping 18 shots in the 2nd period to Jarret Lukin who had great set up plays in the game skated past the Rapid City Rush to take the opening and stole Home Ice Advantage at least temporary.

From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Rapid City, South Dakota: After a Game 7 win in the Southern Finals and a long trip from Texas to South Dakota, the Allen Americans showed no fatigue as they scored four times in the 2nd period and goaltender Chris Whitley made a 2010 Playoffs Single Game High 48 saves en route to a 4-1 victory in Game 1 of the Central Hockey League Ray Miron Presidents Cup Championship at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Arena.

The Americans rookie goaltender was tested early as the Rush out-shot the Americans 13-7 in the opening period but Whitley was equal to the task by stopping everything Rapid City could throw his way.

In the 2nd period, Nathan O'Nabigon scored his first goal of the post-season at the 3:49 mark of the frame by giving the Americans the lead in the game, something that has yielded much success as they are now 7-2 when striking first in this playoffs.

They weren't done though as Nino Musitelli scored his 10th goal of the playoffs and first of two in this game. It would eventually be the Game Winner which gives Musitelli's back-to-back game winning goals in the playoffs. Tobias Whelan made the score 3-0 at the 16:07 mark before Musitelli's second goal of the game and period puts things away for Allen.

The Rush broke the shutout with just over 3 minutes remaining when David Grimson found the back of the net. Whitley finished with 48 saves including 18 in the 2nd period and 17 in the 3rd period. Allen finished Game 1 1/5 on the power play while Rapid City was 0/6. Game 2 is slated for Saturday Night in South Dakota.


Allen Americans Lead Series 1-0

Game Boxscore

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

1-0 ALN: Nathan Onabigon (Huculak, Salekin) 3:49 2nd

2-0 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Fairbarn) 8:57 2nd

3-0 ALN: Tobias Whelan (Lukin) 16:07 2nd

4-0 ALN: Nino Musitelli (PP) (Bowers, Benn) 19:06 2nd

4-1 RPC: Dave Grimson (Weselowski, Hodge) 16:50 3rd


Game Stats

PP: ALN 1/5 RPC 0/6

SOG: ALN 21 RPC 49

PIM: ALN 12 Minutes on 6 Penalties RPC 10 Minutes on 5 Penalties

Goalies: ALN Chris Whitley 48 SVS on 49 Shots RPC Danny Battochio 9 SVS on 12 Shots Miguel Beaudry 8 SVS on 9 Shots

ATT: 4419

3rd Star: Nathan Onabigon (ALN)

2nd Star: Chris Whitley (ALN)

1st Star: Nino Musitelli (ALN)