The Rapid City Rush refused to get rattled when the Rocky Mountain Rage scored with just 32 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime Sunday as Derek LeBlanc scored the game-winner in extra time to help the Rush win 5-4 and stay just four points behind the Rage in the Northwest Division standings.

Rage defenseman Tyler Butler earned the tying goal with an extra attacker off a David Morelli assist to force overtime for the Rage, before LeBlanc scored with 1:58 to play in the first extra period at the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colo. It marked the sixth meeting between the two teams so far this season and third in Colorado. All three of the games in Colorado have gone to overtime or a shootout.

The Rage improved to a 15-14-3 (33 points) overall record and second place in the Northwest Division. The Rush improved to 11-13-7 (29 points) for third place in the Northwest Division. Rage forward Scott Wray played his 600th game and Pat Sutton played his 200th game as a professional in Sunday's contest.

In the first period, the Rage started the scoring when right winger Dominic Maiani skated around the back of the net and shot the puck out front to Simon Watson, who scored at 9:43 to give the Rage the lead.

Following a slew of shots by the Rage around the 17:30 mark, Rapid City's Kyle Sheen picked up a rebound and broke away from the pack of Rage defenders. He skated two-on-one with teammate Chris Lipsett. Sheen passed the puck to Lipsett right in front of the crease and Lipsett scored at 17:53 to even the score.

In the second period, Rage goaltender Scott Reid was peppered by the Rush. He saved the last shot and laid face down on the ice to cover the puck, but it popped out from under his hip toward the goal line. Rapid City's Rich Hansen reached his stick over Reid and tapped it into the net at 4:50.

Under one minute later, Rapid City goaltender Miguel Beaudry went down face first on the ice to save a Rage shot in almost an identical manner. The puck popped out front and Rocky Mountain's Colt King wristed it in net to tie the score again at 2-2.

At 9:56, Nathan O'Nabigon fired a shot straight to the back of the net from the right circle at 9:56 to take back the lead for the Rage at 3-2. Tyler Butler and Daymen Rycroft assisted on the play.

Lipsett added his second goal of the night for Rapid City at 16:28 shorthanded and closed out scoring in the second period at 3-3.

In the third period, the Rush took the lead at 2:38 with a goal by Joey Olson that grazed the glove of Reid, tipped over his head and fell into the net.

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