For Immediate Release:
Friday, April 22, 2022
Rapid City, SD – The Allen Americans, ECHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken (NHL), dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rapid City Rush in Game 1 of their first round series on Friday night in South Dakota.
It was a back-and-forth affair all night long. The Rush grabbed a 1-0 lead just 91-seconds into the game when Avery Peterson scored his first of the playoffs to give Rapid City the early advantage. Allen tied the game at 8:21 of the period when Phil Beaulieu found Chad Costello in the right-circle for his first of the playoffs. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period.
After Rapid City took a 2-1 lead in the second frame, the Americans again tied the score. Justin Young’s wrap-around ended up in front of the Rush net bounced to Chad Butcher, who poked one home for his first of the playoffs and tied the score at 2-2.
The game remained deadlocked until the 15:34 mark of the final frame when Brett Gravelle tipped a Max Coatta shot past Luke Peressini for the eventual game winner. The Rush outshot the Americans 42-34 for the game, and 17-to-10 in the final period. The two teams combined to go 0-for-5 on the power play.
Game 2 of the seven-game series is Saturday night in South Dakota. Rapid City leads the series 1-0.
About the Allen AMERICANS
The Allen AMERICANS PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY CLUB is a member of the ECHL, the world’s top Double-A hockey league, and is the affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Seattle Kraken.
Founded in 2009, the club is owned by Jack D. Gulati, known internationally as the “Serial Entrepreneur.” Championship Hockey is the backbone of the franchise, with the Red having captured back-to-back ECHL Kelly Cup Championships in 2014-15 & 2015-16 and two Central Hockey League President’s Cups in 2012-13 & 2013-14. Over the years, more than 323 players have worn the Red Sweater, with 4 AMERICANS having moved up to play in the NHL.
ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Round One vs. Rapid City Rush (Rush lead the Best of Seven Series 1-0)
#2 Rapid City Rush (36-25-11) vs. #3 Allen Americans (35-28-9)Game 1 – Allen 2 at Rapid City 3 FinalGame 2 – Saturday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. MT at Rapid CityGame 3 – Tuesday, April 26 at 7:05 p.m. CT at AllenGame 4 – Friday, April 29 at 7:05 p.m. CT at AllenGame 5 – Saturday, April 30 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Allen (If Necessary)Game 6 – Monday, May 2 at 7:05 p.m. MT at Rapid City (If Necessary)Game 7 – Wednesday, May 4 at 7:05 p.m. MT at Rapid City (If Necessary)
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