Thunder lose in Rapid City

January 14, 2012

{RAPID CITY, SD.} — Dustin Donaghy scored twice and Chris Chappell added his third of the season, but Wichita (22-9-2) was unable to overcome Rapid City (19-12-2) as the Rush won 5-3 on Saturday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Wichita is 3-1-0 against the Rush this season and remains in first place by one point in the Berry Conference.

Dustin Donaghy (1) got things going for Wichita at the 5:46 of the first period when he tipped home a Daniel Tetrault feed. Rapid City tied the game at one when they broke in on an odd-man rush and Scott Wray tied it at 10:11. The Rush then scored two minutes later on the power play as Collin Circelli made it 2-1. Donaghy (2) tied the game at two at 19:04 when he outraced the defender to the puck on the right wing and sent a blistering wrist shot off the cross bar past Rush net-minder Danny Battochio.

In the second period, Rapid City scored twice as Shawn Limpright came out of the penalty box, went down on a breakaway and beat Thunder goalie Adam Russo to make it 3-2. Jesse Schultz found the net at 16:33 to make it 4-2 and his first point on the weekend. Wichita cut the lead to one at 18:08 when Chappell (3) stole the puck at the Rush line and buried it past Battochio to make it 4-3 Rush.

Scott Wray added another goal in the third period to cap off a 5-3 win for the Rush as Wichita couldn't solve Battochio. It was the first win for Rapid City against Wichita this season. The two teams will not see each other until the beginning of February when the Rush will visit Wichita.

The Thunder will head west to face the Arizona Sundogs for the first time this season on Wednesday. Wichita will not return to the Air Capital until Sunday, January 22nd against the Texas Brahmas.

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