Box Score | Game Live
Make it three straight wins for the Fort Wayne Komets who defeated the Rapid City Rush, 5-3, on Thursday night moving to within one win of advancing to the Turner Conference Finals and a showdown with the Missouri Mavericks.
The Komets earned another two-goal win over the Rush taking the series lead, three games to one. Fort Wayne continues their home dominance winning their fifth straight CHL home playoff game.
Nick Boucher made 27 saves winning his 17th straight home playoff game.
The Komets got off to a great start scoring three times in a 4:16 stretch if the first period.
Former Rapid City forward Mike Vaskivuo, scored the game winner in Game 3, started the scoring with a power play goal at the 8:08 mark. That was followed by an even strength goal from Bobby Chaumont at 10:40 and then Chris Auger capped the explosion with his second goal of the post-season making the count 3-0.
Auger’s goal caused an early departure for Rapid City goalie Tim Boron who made just nine saves on 12 shots in just over 12 minutes of work. Former Fort Wayne goalie Kevin Beech replaced him in net.
Rapid City got on the board late in the first period with a goal from Jeff Kyrzakos making the score 3-1 after 20 minutes.
There was no further scoring until the third period when Jesse Schultz pulled his team to with a goal at the 5:08 mark but Fort Wayne had the answer when Kaleigh Schrock scored for the third straight game earning the eventual game winner.
Kyrzakos’ second goal made things interesting down the stretch but Stephon Thorne’s empty-net goal put things on ice for the home team.
Beech finished with 19 saves but he took the loss for the Rush.
The teams once again played a physical contest combining for 54 penalty minutes.
Game 5 is scheduled for Sunday in Fort Wayne as the Komets have a chance to advance with a victory.