The Tahoe Knight Monsters took on the Rapid City Rush on Thursday. Puck drop was at 7:00 PM. The game was at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada. It was the fifty-seventh game of the season. . The Tahoe Knight Monsters were coming off of a 1-4 defeat to the Allen Americans. The Tahoe Knight Monsters had a record of 32-20-4. The Knight Monsters were in 11th place in the ECHL. The Knight Monsters were 6th in the Western Conference and 3rd in the Mountain Division. The Rapid City Rush had played fifty-four games. The Rush were coming off of a 3-4 overtime loss to the Idaho Steelheads. They were on a thirteen game point streak. The Rush had a record of 23-22-9. The Rush were in 19th place in the ECHL. The Rush were in 9th place in the ECHL Western Conference. The Rush were in 6th place in the ECHL Western Conference Mountain Division. The all-time record between the Tahoe Knight Monsters and the Rapid City Rush was 2-1-0
The Tahoe Knight Monsters had played two more games. The Knight Monsters had nine more wins. The Knight Monsters had the better points percentage. The Knight Monsters had scored thirty-two more goals. The Rapid City Rush had allowed seven more goals. The Knight Monsters had the better goal differential. The Knight Monsters had thirteen more points. The Tahoe Knight Monsters had 501 penalty minutes. The Rapid City Rush had 557 penalty minutes. Would the Tahoe Knight Monsters defend their fortress? Would the Rapid City Rush extend their point streak?
#1 Jesper Vikman got the start in net for the Tahoe Knight Monsters. It was his thirty-fourth game played of the season for the Knight Monsters. On Thursday, forward Bear Hughes was activated from reserve by the Knight Monsters. Forward Adam Robbins was placed on reserve by the Knight Monsters. #32 Connor Murphy was in net for the Rapid City Rush. It was his twentieth game played for the Rush this season. On Thursday, goaltender Connor Murphy was recalled and then assigned to the Rapid City Rush by the Calgary Wranglers. What happened was he was signed to an American Hockey League contract by the Calgary Wranglers but stayed in Tahoe to play for the Rapid City Rush.
Eleven minutes into the game, the Rapid City Rush took the lead. The goal was scored by #12 Chase Pauls. His goal was assisted by #91 Blake Bennett and #13 Ryan Wagner.
With under seven minutes left in the first period, the Tahoe Knight Monsters tied the game. The Tying goal was scored by #10 Jett Jones. His goal was assisted by #15 Jake McGrew.
The score was tied at 1-1 after the first period.
Two minutes into the second period, the Tahoe Knight Monsters took the lead. The goal was scored by #21 Sloan Stanick. His goal was assisted by #26 Nate Kallen and #12 Bear Hughes.
Three minutes into the second period, the Knight Monsters took a two goal lead. The goal was scored by #15 Jake McGrew. His goal was unassisted.
Still just three minutes into the second period, the Knight Monsters scored again to take a three goal lead. The goal was scored by #9 Troy Loggins. His goal was assisted by #3 Adam Pitters and #48 Anthony Collins. With this goal the Tahoe Knight Monsters took a three goal lead under four minutes into the second period.
Six minutes into the second period, Connor Mylymok of the Rapid City Rush received a penalty for cross-checking. Ten minutes into the second period, the Rush scored. The goal was scored by #91 Blake Bennett. His goal was assisted by #3 Mitchell Smith and #13 Ryan Wagner. This goal cut the lead down to two goals.
With under seven minutes left in the second period, Jake Stevens of the Knight Monsters received a penalty for cross-checking. With under five minutes left in the second period, the rush scored. The goal was scored by #11 David Gagnon. His goal was assisted by #12 Case Pauls and #22 Connor Mylymok. This goal brought the lead down to one goal.
With under four minutes left in the second period, the Knight Monsters had a breakaway that faked out the goalie but in the end missed the net. The goalie was a little chirpy after that. With under three minutes left in the second period, the Knight Monsters regained their their two goal lead. This goal was scored by #19 Luke Adam. His goal was assisted by #15 Jake McGrew and #23 Jake Johnson.
The score was 5-3 Tahoe Knight Monsters going into the third period.
Four minutes into the third period, Brennan Kapcheck of the Knight Monsters received a penalty for slashing. On the penalty kill, the Knight Monsters almost scored twice. On the powerplay, the rush scored. The goal was scored by #13 Ryan Wagner. His goal was assisted by #68 Billy Constantinou. This goal brought the lead down to one goal.
With under six minutes remaining in the game, Luke Adam of the Knight Monsters took a puck to the ankle. He was struggling to stay on the ice. It did look like he was in a lot of pain. However he did not leave the game. He powered through his shift and came back for the next one. The Rush did pull their goalie with under two minutes remaining in the game. The Knight Monsters couldn’t score on the empty net. The rush didn’t get any help from the extra attacker.
The final score was 5-4 Tahoe Knight Monsters.
The Rapid City Rush scored first. It did not take long for the Tahoe Knight Monsters to tie the game. The first period ended in a stalemate. The Knight Monsters had a burst of offense to start the second period. The Rush came close to tying the game in the second half of the second period. A late second period goal from the Knight Monsters kept their two goal lead in tact heading into the final frame. The Rush got one back in the third but it was not enough. The Knight Monsters held on to win. There was a fight in the stands after the game too. I was at the other side of the arena. I did not see it. I just saw all of the security drop what they were doing to run over to the opposite end of the stands. I was told after by security that there was a fight. The offense showed up for the Knight Monsters in this one. It was about time. This feels like the first game in a while where the Knight Monsters have scored more than two goals. I am all here for it. It was a very exciting game.
The The Rapid City Rush had six more shots. The Tahoe Knight Monsters had the better shot percentage The Knight Monsters had two more penalty minutes. #1 Jesper Vikman saved 42 shots for a 91% save percentage for the Tahoe Knight Monsters. #32 Connor Murphy saved 35 shots for an 88% save percentage for the Rapid City Rush.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters have a record of 34-20-4 with 70 points in 57 games. The Knight Monsters are now in 10th place in ECHL. They are still in 6th place in the ECHL Western Conference. They are still in 3rd place in the ECHL Western Conference Mountain Division. They are in a playoff spot. They are only three points into a playoff spot. They have the third highest points percentage in the division. The Knight Monsters are still thirteen points away from the top spot in the ECHL. The Knight Monsters are now eight points away from the top spot in the ECHL Western Conference.The Knight Monsters are now seven points away from the top spot in the ECHL Western Conference Mountain Division.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters take on the Rapid City Rush for game fifty-eight on Saturday, March 8th. It will be a home game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM. This will be a divisional game. It will be the second of three games at home against the Rush. It will be Star Wars night.
Zac Electrifly 
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