Rivals Face-Off in Turner Conference Finals

Regular Season Series: Colorado won series 9-3

Oct. 22:    Rapid City 2 at Colorado 5
Oct. 23:    Colorado 7 at Rapid City 4
Nov. 10:    Rapid City 3 at Colorado 4 (SO)
Nov. 19:    Rapid City 1 at Colorado 2 (OT)
Nov. 20:    Colorado 2 at Rapid City 4
Nov. 24:    Rapid City 0 at Colorado 3
Dec. 26:    Colorado 4 at Rapid City 2   
Dec. 29:    Rapid City 4 at Colorado 2
Jan. 18:    Colorado 4 at Rapid City 1
Feb. 15:    Colorado 0 at Rapid City 3
Feb. 23:    Rapid City 2 at Colorado 6
Mar. 15:    Colorado 7 at Rapid City 3

So Far for Rapid City: The Rush had two very different series’ getting to the Conference Finals with a sweep of the Dayton Gems in the Opening Round and a five-game classic with the Fort Wayne Komets in the Conference Semi Finals.  The Rush, the defending CHL Champs, entered Game Three versus the Komets with a 2-0 series lead (best-of-5) and with their previous sweep and their run to the Cup last season, celebrating an eight-game win playoff streak.  But a strong showing by the Komets in Game’s 3 and 4 lead to a deciding Game 5 in Rapid City on Easter and led to a 6-1 drubbing of the Komets by the Rush.

So Far for Colorado: The Eagles lost their first game of the post-season to the Quad City Mallards and since have won six of seven.  Colorado won three straight to dispose of the Mallards and then won the first two games of their Conference Semi Finals with the Missouri Mavericks before closing out the series in four games.  Colorado’s defense has been masterful so far in the playoffs allowing two goals or fewer in five of their eight games and tied for first among all playoff teams with a 2.25 GAA.

A Closer Look: There is no denying the Eagles and Rush rivalry that has seen the two teams battle 34 times over the past three regular seasons (Colorado has won 22 of those games).  This will mark the first-ever post-season meeting between the two clubs.  The teams had identical records during the regular season tying for first place in the Turner Conference but the Rush earned the top seed in the conference by way of winning the tiebreaker.  Statistically, the Eagles outmanned the Rush in most categories including scoring, goals allowed, power play and penalty kill percentage and Colorado was a +51 goals for/goals against differential on the season while Rapid City was a +10.     

X-Factor for Rush: Tim Boron. The goaltender has been part of a solid tandem in Rapid City with 2010 CHL Rookie of the Year Danny Battochio but so far in the post-season, Boron has been the more fortunate netminder in the wins/losses category.  Boron also happens to be the goalie that won the deciding game for the Colorado Eagles when they won the 2007 Presidents’ Cup and has an outstanding 9-4 playoff record with a 1.94 GAA and three shutouts.

X-Factor for Eagles: Daymen Rycroft. After totaling just 11 points (6-5=11) in the Eagles final 18 regular season games, Daymen Rycroft caught fire in the playoffs notching eight points (2-6=8) in the team’s eight post-season match-ups so far.  Rycroft also loves seeing the ‘R’ on the sweater of the opposition scoring nine goals with seven assists in 11 games versus Rapid City this season (was also a team-high +12).

Series Schedule (all times local):
Apr. 29- Colorado at Rapid City, 7:05 PM
Apr. 30- Colorado at Rapid City, 7:05 PM
May 3- Rapid City at Colorado, 7:05 PM
May 5- Rapid City at Colorado, 7:05 PM
May 7- Colorado at Rapid City, 7:05 PM
May 9- Rapid City at Colorado, 7:05 PM
May 11- Colorado at Rapid City, 6:35 PM