RAPID CITY - Having split a pair of Central Hockey League Northwest Division games in the past four days, the Rapid City Rush hope to finish strong against another division foe this weekend.

"These are four-point games both nights," said Rush head coach Joe Ferras, referring to the possible point swing at stake for third-place Rapid City (11-14-7, 29 points), and fourth-place

Wichita (11-19-2, 24 points). "They're right on our tail. We have to take advantage as we start the second half of the season."

Rapid City won two previous road matchups, 4-2 on Nov. 2, and 2-1 on Dec. 20.

The Rush started the week with their first overtime win, a 5-4 decision over the Rocky Mountain Rage on Sunday in Broomfield, Colo.

But then came division-leader Colorado, which handed Rapid City a 3-1 setback Wednesday.

Goaltender Miguel Beaudry's saves percentage tops 90 percent and his goals-allowed average is 3.03.

"We're playing real sound hockey defensively. The work ethic is there. Now we have to focus on the red line in, and the blue line in to make sure we're creating second chances, and when we get good opportunities we put the puck in the net," said Rush coach Joe Ferras.

Wichita has won four of its last six, including a 7-2 stunner over Colorado on Jan. 3. Leading the Thunder are RW Jason Duda (10 goals-20 assists-30 points), LW Scott Rozendal

(10-13-23), center Troy Ofukany (11-10-21) and defenseman Bryan Nathe (4-16-20).

Ofukany has tallied five goals and five assists in the last five games.

Goaltenders Krister Toews and Tim Boron share assignments between the pipes equally. Toews, 7-5-1, allows 3.3 goals per game and Boron, 4-10-1, surrenders just 2.7 scores per game.