RAPID CITY - On the road, again.

After playing eight home games in 17 days after a season-opening string of 14 road contests, the Rapid City Rush have taken once again to the highways for a weekend Central Hockey League swing through Colorado, Texas and Kansas.

Rapid City travels to Broomfield, Colo., tonight for a rematch of Tuesday's clash with the Rocky Mountain Rage.

Then it's on to the Lone Star State for a 6:05 p.m. MST Friday face-off with the Amarillo Gorillas, followed by another key Northwest Division challenge Saturday against the Wichita Thunder at 6:05 p.m.

The Rush, however, head south carrying a boost in confidence on the heels of their first back-to-back wins of the season, a 5-2 win over Bossier-Shreveport last Saturday and Tuesday's 3-2 comeback victory over the Rage.

"It's been too long," said Beaudry of back-to-back victories. "Obviously, if we're going to make any kind of a run we need to put some wins together, not just two, but four or five."

The win over the Rage was the first in three games for the Rush against their Northwest League rival and moved Rapid City's record to 4-3-1 during its first-ever homestand at the new Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena.

"It was a huge win for us (Tuesday)," Rush head coach Joe Ferras said. "The guys showed a lot of character."

The win also moved Rapid City back into sole possession of second place with 20 points and a 7-9-6 mark, just ahead of Rocky Mountain (8-12-2).

Ferras hopes the Rush can bring some of their new-found momentum along in the team's brand new bus, delivered late Tuesday.

"We know what's going to make us successful, A, our work ethic and, B, being physical, forcing teams to turn the puck over and then when we see our chances, bear down," Ferras said.

Amarillo (7-15-0) dealt the Rush a 5-3 setback on Nov. 7. The Amarillo Civic Center ice offers a unique challenge to visiting teams, being 15 feet shorter than the traditional 200 foot length of a hockey rink.

"Things happen a lot quicker there, so we have to be ready," Ferras said. "They can get two quick goals on you and then start shutting things down. That's a team we owe, big time."

Rapid City won 4-2 over division foe Wichita (6-15-2) on Nov. 2.

"Of all the teams we've seen, they're probably the most similar to us," Ferras said. "They'll work very hard for 60 minutes and we'll have to match that work ethic."

Ferras said.

Amarillo