Box Score | Game Live

After allowing two goals in the first 3:13 of the third period to fall behind 3-2, the Rapid City Rush exploded for four goals before the end of the game doubling-up the visiting Fort Wayne Komets 6-3.  With the Game 1 win, the Rush now lead the best-of-7 series, 1-0.

Jesse Schultz paced the offense with two goals and two assists and defenseman Dave Grimson pitched in with a goal and two helpers.

The Rush outshot the Komets 33-25 and got off to a good start with Scott Wray scoring at the 3:12 mark of the opening period.

The Komets would tie the score before the end of the period with Chris Auger beating Tim Boron making the score 1-1.

In a quiet second period, the lone goal came off the stick of Schultz, on the power play, accounting for one of two PP scores on the night for Rapid City.

Then came the offensive explosion in the third period.  Veteran Colin Chaulk and Leo Thomas each scored goals just a few minutes into the period with Chaulk’s coming on the power play at the 36 second mark.

Trailing 3-2, the Rush lit a fire for their home fans starting with Schultz’s second of the night answering Thomas’ score 90 seconds after his team fell behind for the first time in the game.  Next, Collin Circelli scored on the power play regaining the lead for the Rush and Grimson quickly followed extending the lead just over a minute later.

An empty-net goal by Jake Morissette put a fork in the top seeded Komets and gave the Rush the Game 1 win.

Boron finished the game with 22 saves earning the win while Nick Boucher stopped 27 of 32 shots taking t he loss.

The two teams meet again on Saturday night in Game 2.