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Rush Hold On in Final Seconds for 3-2 Win Over Cutthroats

Luke Fulghum’s two goals came up just short for the Denver Cutthroats on Friday night in a 3-2 loss to the Rapid City Rush in front of a sold out crowd of 5,119 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

By Cheryl Bradley
Rapid City Rush

RAPID CITY, SD – Fulghum’s second goal came 32 seconds after Rapid City extend their lead to 3-1 on Jordan Baker’s wrist shot from the slot -- his second goal of the contest as well – with 4:20 left in regulation.

The Cutthroats pulled the goaltender for the extra-attacker, but couldn’t capitalize on a 6-on-4 power play chance with 6.5 seconds remaining and a faceoff in the offensive zone.

The Cutthroats (1-2-0) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just 1:23 into the opening period on Fulghum’s first of the season from the right circle. Despite 27 combined shots in the period, the Colorado Springs native proved to be the only goal-scorer of the frame.

The Rush (2-1-0) countered back with a pair of goals in period two. Baker added his first of game just 45 seconds in, tapping a loose puck in the goal crease in for a power play strike. Scott Wray then pushed the Rush ahead, 2-1, in the closing minutes of the period on Jarrett Konkle’s centering pass from behind the net.

Kieran Millan took the loss in his second start of the season, stopping 25 of 28 shots. Tim Boron proved to be a difference for the Rush, stopping 37 of 39 and earning the win. The Cutthroats finished 0-for-8 on the power play, while Rapid City went 2-for-4.

The home-and-home series between Denver and Rapid City shifts to the Denver Coliseum for a Saturday night contest. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM MST.

Three Stars:
Jordan Baker (RPD)
Luke Fulghum (DEN)
Tim Boron (RPD)

Postgame Notes:

Friday’s game was the first of 16 total meetings this season between the Cutthroats and Rush… JP Chabot signed with the Cutthroats on Thursday… Captain Aaron MacKenzie was placed on the 30-day IR retroactive to October 19th… Cutthroats defenseman Sean Zimmerman served the final game of his three-game suspension and is eligible to play in Saturday’s contest… Jamie MacQueen’s penalty shot attempt for the Cutthroats with 6:00 left in the first period was stopped by Rapid City’s Tim Boron… The Rapid City Rush are now 4-1-0 in home openers in their history…