RAPID CITY, SD — Thunder netminder Adam Russo was outstanding, making 40 saves on 41 shots as Wichita (22-8-2) beat Rapid City (18-12-2) in a shootout 2-1 Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Brett Hemingway scored the game-winning goal and the Thunder moved three points ahead of the Allen Americans for first place in the Berry Conference.
After 40 minutes of scoreless hockey, Jarred Mohr (4) was able to give Wichita a 1-0 lead in the third period as he caught a Matt Summers pass and sniped it past Rush goalie Danny Battochio. Summers now has a seven-game point scoring streak with the helper on the goal. Rapid City tied the game at one three minutes later as Sean Wiles beat Russo from the high slot. The two teams battled through 60 minutes and for the second time in three games, Wichita was forced to an overtime session.
After a scoreless five-minute OT, a shootout was in order and Wichita took advantage. The Thunder got goals from Hemingway, Thomas Beauregard and Matt Summers while Russo stood tall, stopping all three shots he faced and Wichita outscored the Rush 3-0. Hemingway is now four-for-six in the shootout and has scored three game-winning-goals in the shootout including the game-winner in the season opener against the Rush. Wichita has now beat Rapid City twice in a shootout, which is the Rush's only two losses this season.
