Late Comeback Surge Stifled, Steelheads Slip 5-2 to Rush

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Idaho Steelheads (19-15-1) put up a late charge with two tallies but fell short in a 5-2 loss to the Rapid City Rush (18-14-5) on Friday night from The Monument.THE GAME’S STO­­RYThe Rush came out of the gates with the first tallies of the night, striking up two in the first period: one on a blueline shot and the other on a give-and-go that snuck behind the Steelheads defense. In the second period, the Steelheads posted more pressure early in the frame, but the Rush added another tally, this time on the power play on a deflection, to make it 3-0 leading to the third period. The Rush added one more before the Steelheads found life late thanks to two tallies by Yauheni Aksiantsiuk (15:45 3rd; 17:15 3rd) to draw within two, 4-2. However, an empty net goal sealed the game in the 5-2 result.ICCU 3 STARS OF THE GAME1. RC – Jake Wahlin (two goals)2. RC – Brett Gravelle (goal, assist)3. RC – Dillon Kelley (32-34 saved)PEPSI PLAYER OF THE GAMEYauheni Aksiantsiuk (F) – two goalsSTEELHEADS STANDOUTS- Yauheni Aksiantsiuk: Aksiantsiuk earned another multi-goal game, his second in back-to-back weekends. His two goals moves him to second on the team with 13 tallies.- Mason Mitchell:In his first game with the Steelheads, Mitchell earned primary assists on both goals late in the game. He now owns 12 points in 19 games with Idaho and Cincinnati.CATCH OF THE DAYThe Steelheads faltered in their opening game of the weekend for the fifth-straight week, however the team has made up for it in the following night. During that time, the Steelheads have won three of four games after dropping the weekend-opener, including a 6-3 win last Saturday in Utah and a 5-2 victory over Rapid City on December 17. The Steelheads are 7-4-0-0 on Saturdays this season as well as 7-3-0-0 when playing back-to-back nights.ATTENDANCE: 2,986LOOKING AHEADThe Steelheads and Rush play their second of three games on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 7:05 p.m. from The Monument.  Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 95.3 KTIK “The Ticket” & FloHockey.tv.