Hockey: Rush cuts six from its roster

By Jim Holland, Journal staff | Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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RAPID CITY — The Rapid City Rush made its first roster moves Monday in preparation for this weekend’s Central Hockey League season-opening doubleheader against the Colorado Eagles.

Cut by the team were forwards Mike Ruberto, Matt Martello, Nick Vernelli, John Gevard and Romeo Vivit, and defenseman Matt Ruberto.

Remaining for the second and final week of training camp are 22 players, including goalies Miguel Beaudry and Lanny Ramage, forwards Chris Lipsett, Rich Hansen, Garrett Prosofsky, R.G. Flath, Chris Diubaldo, Brady Olsen, Matt Cooke, Lance Herauf, Kyle Sheen, Derek LeBlanc and Brad Johnston, and defensemen Jamie Vander Veeken, Mark DeSantis, Luke Fritshaw, John Neal, Eric Nelson, Gio Flamminio, Jozef Sladok, Paul Holder and Derek Edwards.

The final roster of 19 must be set by Thursday.

The Rush split a pair of exhibition games against CHL Northwest Division foes Friday and Saturday night.

Derek Edwards, with assists from Rich Hansen and Eric Nelson, scored the first-ever goal for the expansion Rush in Friday’s preseason opener against the Rocky Mountain Rage in Broomfield, Colo.

R.G. Flath made it 2-0 Rapid City in the second period with assists from Nick Vernelli and Eric Nelson. Stephen Cooke added a short-handed empty-net goal with just over a minute left for the 3-1 final.

On Saturday, the Rush surrendered three first-period goals en route to a 6-0 blanking by the Colorado Eagles. Rapid City managed just 11 shots, all stopped by Eagles net-minder Andrew Penner.

Rush coach Joe Ferras said the exhibition trip was to get younger players on the ice in preparation for the final week of training. He said several players expected to be on the final roster saw little action.

“The purpose of the weekend was to evaluate where we stand as a team as we get ready to set our final roster in the next 24- to 48-hours,” said Ferras.

“We want to see what the line pairings are and what the defensive matchups are, what kind of players we want to see playing with each other,” he said.

A bright spot for the Rush was at goaltender. Veteran Miguel Beaudry made 44 saves Friday night against the Rage and Lanny Ramage stopped 41 of 47 shots in Saturday’s game against Colorado. 

“Obviously,  number one we’re very happy with our goaltending. Both goalies showed themselves very well. Miguel was outstanding Friday night and Lanny as well. He (Ramage) didn’t get a lot of help as Colorado played their full line-up,” Ferras commented.

Training camp continues today and Wednesday at the Roosevelt Ice Arena, with drills and workouts from 8 a.m. to approximately 10:45 a.m. All sessions are open to the public.

Ferras said the Rage and the Eagles will become familiar opponents.

“That’s the best thing about the CHL. The parity is incredible. Rocky Mountain has some tremendous forwards and Colorado looked like a team that was already in mid-season form Saturday night,” he said.

The Rush opens the season against the Colorado Eagles on Friday and Saturday night, beginning a CHL record-tying 14 games on the road while finishing touches are applied to the new ice arena at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Rapid City’s first home game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, also against Colorado.

“It’s going to be a tough battle all year, but I think we’re preparing the right way. We’re getting on the road for a difficult 14-game road stretch, but we knew that getting into it,” Ferras said.