After a strong offensive performance in their season opener Friday where they put half a dozen shots into the net, the Rapid City Rush mustered just one tally in Game 2.Â
The contest was tied for the majority of the first 40 minutes, as goals scored by both teams in the opening period came within 24 seconds of each other. The deadlock was broken midway through the third as the Utah Grizzlies notched a pair of goals in just over a minute to come away with a 3-1 victory Saturday and split the series at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
âUtah came out to play. They wanted it tonight,â Rush head coach Daniel Tetrault said. âYou have to give credit to them; they battled, they won every one-on-one battle. We thought maybe it was going to be easy but they made it hard on us and were well-prepared.â
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Daniel Tetrault said he feels he has the team to win a championship.
The Rapid City Rush head coach is beginning his fourth season at the helm, and through several signings during an extended and somewhat unpredictable offseason, has put together a smorgasbord of a 23-man roster, composed of knowledgeable veterans, familiar returners and aspiring rookies who battled months upon months without hockey, and underwent unique journeys to end up in the Black Hills.
For Tetrault, itâs a group that has all the weapons.
âWe have a great team on paper,â he said. âNow itâs time to put it to action on the ice.â