RUSH REBOUND PAST OILERS

RUSH REBOUND PAST OILERS

Rapid City evens season series with offensive display

TULSA, Okla. —The Tulsa Oilers, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, lost 9-1 to the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night at the BOK Center.

Rory Kerins began the scoring, finishing a rebound off Colten Ellis via a Logan Nelson shot 2:40 into the game, giving Rapid City a 1-0 lead. Eddie Matsushima tied the game 1-1, tipping his team-leading seventh goal of the season off Justin Bean’s wrister and past Daniil Chechelev 3:14 before the end of the frame.

Calder Brooks toted a turnover into the Oilers’ zone before ripping a short-side snap shot into the top of the net 55 seconds into the middle frame, placing Rapid City back on top. Tyson Helgesen extended the Rush lead to 3-1, driving down from the left point before cutting across the face of goal and finishing on a backhand chance. Matt Marcinew completed a back-door, tap-in play with 7:51 left in the second period, bringing the score 4-1 in Rapid City’s favor. Jon Martin added to the Rush lead, scoring unassisted with 57 seconds remaining in the period. Keanu Yamamoto scored only 32 seconds later, giving the Rush a five-goal lead courtesy of a five-goal frame.

Alex Aleradi extended the Rush lead to 7-1 early in the final frame, unleashing a five-on-three, power-play goal from the left circle 1:09 in. Brooks clapped a one-time effort past Eric Dop for his second of the night, setting the score 8-1 Rush 4:45 into the third period. Yamamoto finished with his second of the night 1:56 later, cementing Rapid City’s 9-1 victory.

The Oilers seek to bounce back in their own right, battling Rapid City in a rubber match, tomorrow, Nov. 20 at 4:05 p.m. It is the first Griffin Communications Sunday Family Funday of the 2022-23 season, meaning fans will be able to skate with the players upon conclusion of the game.