The Tahoe Knight Monsters faced off against the Rapid City Rush on Wednesday night in game thirty of the ECHL season. As the ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, Tahoe entered the matchup holding third place in the division with a 16-11-2 record, positioning themselves firmly in the playoff picture. Rapid City, the ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, came into the contest sitting seventh in the division at 12-13-2, looking to gain ground in the standings. With both teams at different points in their season trajectories, the matchup carried importance for each side as the calendar continued to turn toward the second half of the season.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters were looking for their seventeenth win of the season. They were also looking for their third win in a row. the Knight Monsters had not played in about ten days. That was due to the ECHL lockout and the Christmas break. The Knight Monsters were also looking to continue to prove that they are a top team in the league. The Rapid City Rush were looking for their thirteenth win of the season. Both teams were looking for one final win in 2025.
Jordan Papirny got the start in net for the Tahoe Knight Monsters. It was his tenth game played for Tahoe this season. Connor Murphy got the start in net for the Rapid City Rush. It was his fourteenth game played for Rapid City this season. Tahoe also only had fifteen players in this game with notable absences from Luke Adam and Anthony Collins.
Four minutes into the game, Nate Kallen of Tahoe was called for interference. Nine minutes into the game, Xavier Bernard of Rapid city was called for roughing. With under six minutes remaining in the first period, Brady Keeper of Rapid City was called for cross-checking. The Tahoe Knight Monsters would take the lead on the power play with under four minutes left in the opening period. A goal from #95 Samuel Mayer gave Tahoe the lead. His goal was assisted by #26 Nate Kallen and #21 Adam Pitters.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters had a 1-0 lead after the first period.
Three minutes into the second period, the Rapid City Rush tied the game. #70 Rasmus Ekström scored for the Rush. His goal was assisted by #8 Chaz Smedsrud and #21 Cameron Buhl.
Less than a minute after the Rush tied the game, the Knight Monsters retook the lead. The goal was scored by #65 Devon Paliani. His goal was assisted by #25 Casey Bailey and #7 Linden Alger.
Still four minutes into the period, Olivier LeBlanc of Tahoe was called for slashing. The Rush tied the game on the power play. #15 Bobby Russell scored the tying goal. His goal was assisted by #91 Blake Bennett and #13 Ryan Wagner
Five minutes into the second period, Connor Marritt of Tahoe was called for tripping. With under seven minutes remaining in the second period, the Rush took the lead. #14 Briley Wood scored for the Rush. His goal was assisted by #82 Brett Davis and #91 Blake Bennett.
With under a minute left in the second period, Ryan Chyzowski of Rapid City was called for slashing. On the power play, the Knight Monsters tied the game. The tying goal was scored by #76 Trent Swick. His goal was assisted by #96 Brennan Kapcheck and #65 Devon Paliani.
The score was tied at 3-3 going into the third period.
With under seven minutes left in regulation, Nate Kallen of Tahoe was called for roughing. At the same time Ryan Chyzowski of Rapid City was also called for roughing. Neither team scored in the third period. The game remained tied at 3-3. The game would goi into overtime.
Seven seconds into overtime, Devon Paliani of Tahoe was called for high-sticking. He was given a four minute double minor penalty. At the same time Connor Joyce of Rapid City was called for cross-checking. Neither team scored in overtime. the score was still tied at 3-3. The game would go into a shootout.
#29 Ryan Chyzowski of the Rush missed his shootout attempt to start the shootout. Then #25 Casey Bailey of the Knight Monsters missed his shootout attempt. Then #91 Blake Bennett of the Rush scored. Then #65 Devon Paliani. of the Knight Monsters scored. Then #13 Ryan Wagner of the Rush missed his shootout attempt. Then #76 Trent Swick of the Knight Monsters missed his shootout attempt. Then #82 Brett Davis of the Rush scored. Needing a goal to keep the shootout going, #10 Mike O’Leary of the Knight Monsters missed his shootout attempt. The Rush would win the shootout 2-1. The final score was 4-3 Rapid City Rush.
https://echl.com/videos/tahoe-knight-monsters-vs-rapid-city-rush-dec-31-2025
The Tahoe Knight Monsters struck first, getting on the board early and carrying their lead into the second period. Rapid City responded quickly, tying the game early in the second, but Tahoe answered right back to regain the advantage. The back-and-forth continued as the Rush once again evened the score before eventually taking their first lead of the night later in the second period. Tahoe responded yet again, tying the game late in the period on the power play and sending the contest into overtime and eventually a shootout. In the end, Rapid City found a way to come out on top in the shootout, handing Tahoe a tough loss in a game that easily could have gone either way. Despite playing with a short bench, the Knight Monsters delivered a strong effort and consistently answered the Rush whenever challenged. However, the inability to build and extend a lead proved to be the key difference. Tahoe showed resilience and pushback throughout the night, but failing to capitalize on momentum ultimately cost them a valuable extra point.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters are set to face the Allen Americans in the thirty-first game of the season. This matchup is the first of three in a row. The puck is dropping on Friday, January 2nd, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Zac Electrifly 
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