Blaine Jarvis’ name won’t show up much on the stat sheet for the Rapid City Rush.

The 6-foot, 209-pounder from Gladstone, Manitoba, is listed as a forward, but his main job for the Rush is to keep opposing players from showing up in the box score, especially when a Rush teammate — or two — is doing time in the penalty box.

Through 17 games in the 2009-2010 Central Hockey League season, the Rush boast the top-ranked penalty-kill in the 15-team league, quelling 88 percent of power plays they face.

Rush head coach Joe Ferras is quick to give credit for that success to Jarvis, even if the numbers are not obvious.

“His intangibles are unbelievable,“ Ferras said. “He gives us all the stuff that doesn’t show up on the score sheet. He blocks shots, wins face-offs,  gets in their faces, and he’s absolutely fearless on the fore check. All the things the team needs, he does it.”

Rapid City has kept opponents scoreless on the man advantage in eight games, and allowed a single power-play goal in four others.

Jarvis said the primary penalty-killing unit, which also includes Rich Hansen, Scott Wray, Derek Campbell and goaltenders Danny Battochio and Miguel Beaudry, have done is put in the hard work to be successful.

“It’s really going for us right now. Hopefully we can keep doing it through the year,” Jarvis said. “A lot of times your best penalty killer is your goalie. He’s making the saves when you need him to and we’re not giving them too many quality chances.”

Jarvis re-signed with the Rush after playing in 51 games last year. Prior to coming to Rapid City he skated for the Idaho Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League.

He played his college hockey at Bemidji State in Minnesota.    

However, his status as a returning player was no guarantee of a roster spot.

Ferras said Jarvis came into training camp in October showing signs of a lot of off-season training.

“He came here in tremendous shape. He knew it was going to be a competitive camp and wanted to earn a job on this hockey club,” Ferras said.

“I knew what my role was. Joe made it very clear what he wanted me to do. We’ve got a lot of great players, some of them very offensive-minded,” Jarvis said. “I think I bring something else to the team other guys don’t. I’ve got to accept my role and just keep working hard.”

The hard work has paid off lately. The Rush are on a tear, winning four straight in the longest win streak in the short history of the franchise, including wins in five of their last six games.

The penalty killers have been a large part of the success, shutting out opponent power plays in four of the wins.

The aberration in the string came in a 4-1 setback to Colorado on Nov. 20, when the Eagles notched three power-play goals in nine tries.

However, the next night, Rapid City blanked Colorado on nine power-play opportunities, including three 5-on-3 chances, to win its first road game against the Eagles.

“You’re going to have games like that. We were able to bounce back the next night and that’s important,” Jarvis said.

Jarvis’ five points on two goals and three assists may not top the chart, but Ferras said the individual numbers aren’t the most important.

“He’s the kind of player every coach wants,” Ferras said. “Because, bottom line, he plays for the ‘W’ at the end of the night.”