(RAPID CITY, S.D.)—Ryan Chyzowski scored on the game’s first shot, and Cameron Buhl scored on the last shot to deliver a 4-3 overtime victory for the Rush over the Wichita Thunder at The Monument Ice Arena on Thursday.
Buhl’s goal, a wrist shot from the slot area, broke through Thunder goaltender Matt Davis with 3:21 elapsed in overtime for his first game-winning goal of the year. It snapped a season-long six-game losing streak for the Rush.
In his first game back with Rapid City, Chyzowski wasted no time welcoming himself back to the lineup with a goal just 13 seconds into the first period. Quinn Olson knifed through the defense for an individual effort goal later in the period, and the Rush led 2-1 at the first intermission.
The two teams exchanged a goal each in the second. Parker Bowman received an alley-oop breakout pass and slotted it through on the breakaway, his first strike since returning from a three-month-long injury.
With the Rush leading 3-2 in the third, Bowman was served a match penalty for an illegal check to the head, giving Wichita a five-minute power play. The Thunder converted to tie the game with nine minutes remaining. Rapid City survived a slew of chances late in regulation to force overtime.
The Rush recorded more shots in the sudden-death period than they did in the third. Connor Murphy made two key saves, allowing Buhl to end the night and give the Rush the extra point.
Murphy tied a season-high with 46 saves on 49 shots in the win, including a penalty shot on Wichita’s Matt Crasa. He is now 5-0 when making at least 44 saves in a game this year. Davis stopped 27 out of 31.
Next game: Friday, March 13 vs. Wichita. 7:05 p.m. MST puck drop from The Monument Ice Arena.