RAPID CITY - A near-capacity Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena throng was ready to party on New Year's Eve.

And the Rapid City Rush were more than happy to get it started.

The Rush overcame two second-period goals by Rocky Mountain with three straight lamp-lighters of their own to ring in the New Year with a 4-2 Central Hockey League triumph Wednesday night in front of 5,016 fans.

"We really appreciate the crowd," Rush head coach Joe Ferras said. "It's almost deafening on the bench and that really gets the guys going."

The win halted a three-game skid for the Rush and also handed Rocky Mountain just its second loss in the last seven games.

Blaine Jarvis sparked the final period outburst, knotting the score at 2-2 with his first goal of the season on a breakaway.

"Lipsett chipped to me and the defense was going the opposite way," Jarvis said. "I just busted it as hard as I could and it got through."

Jon Pelle added the game-winner on a 5-on-3 power play with 7:23 left. Pelle slapped home a tough-angle shot from the left side to beat Rage goalie Scott Reid.

Chris Lipsett and Jamie VanderVeeken each tallied their second assists of the night on the goal.

After Rapid City survived a final Rocky Mountain power play that saw a potential tying goal carom off a goal post, Kyle Sheen negated the extra-attacker advantage for the Rage, taking an exit pass from Rich Hansen for the empty netter with 1:03 left.

"It was a tremendous team effort by everybody tonight," Ferras said.

Rob Dmytruk scored his second goal of the season with just 3:32 gone in a slam-fest first period. Getting credit for the helper was Joey Olson, obtained in a trade with Laredo last week, and Jamie VanderVeeken. Dmytruk, a defenseman, was moved to forward with Chris Di Ubaldo out for the night.

After the goal came a pair of scuffles, involving VanderVeeken and Rocky Mountain's Mike Bulawka. At the same time Rapid City's Jason Goulet and the Rage's Robert Chappell dropped the gloves.

"Credit VanderVeeken and Goulet for showing Rocky Mountain that we weren't going to be pushed around tonight," said Ferras. "They really set the tone for the night."

Rapid City goalie Miguel Beaudry picked up his eighth win of the season, denying 39-of-41 Rocky Mountain shots.

"The work ethic was incredible. What we lack in skill, we make up for by outworking teams like that," Ferras said. "They have so much depth on that hockey club and we outworked them in that third period, and stayed disciplined. Our penalty kill was fantastic."

Rocky Mountain took the lead with two answered goals in the second period, outshooting the Rush 16-9. Brent Cullaton tied the game on a ringing power play goal off the left post with 16:59 left, and the Rage took the lead 4:02 later on a Domenic Maiani shot.

Rapid City (9-12-7 overall) moves to within three points of second place Rocky Mountain (13-14-2) with 25 points in the CHL's Northwest Division.

"They came out hard in the third period. You can't fault their effort, but I think our defense got a little tired late in the game," said Rocky Mountain head coach Tracy Egeland. "It was a full crowd and a playoff atmosphere."

Rush Notes: The third-period comeback win was the second for Rapid City, with both rebounds coming at the expense of the Rage. … Rapid City forward Chris Di Ubaldo was a late scratch for Wednesday's game after suffering discomfort in his back during a morning skate. Di Ubaldo has eight goals and four assists for 12 points. … Rocky Mountain was without center Aaron Davis, placed on the 30-day injured reserve list on Dec. 26 with an unspecified injury. Davis was third in scoring for the Rage with 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points.

Title: Rapid City Rush Date: November 28th, 2008 Follow the Rush at www.rapidcityjournal.com. VIEW PRESENTATION »