Tyler Parks recorded his second shutout of the season on Saturday night, stopping all 26 shots he faced as the Rapid City Rush defeated the Wichita Thunder, 2-0. Peter Quenneville and Stephane Legault provided the goals for Rapid City, who moved four points ahead of the Thunder in the Mountain Division standings.

The Rapid City defense was dominating the first period, allowing Wichita just four shots on net. The offense staked their goaltender to a lead just before the 12 minute mark of the period. The Rush were battling to keep the puck in the Thunder end. Tyler Coulter’s shot was knocked down in front, but Legault came from behind the net, then quickly put the backhand shot by Evan Weninger at the far side for his fourth goal of the year.

The 1-0 lead held through the first intermission, and Rapid City would extend it to two almost at the exact same point in the second period as their first goal. At 11:41, Matteo Gennaro won the faceoff in the Wichita end. The draw came back to Quenneville, who moved a few feet to his left, then fired a blistering wrist shot that beat Weninger for his 15th goal of the year.

That was plenty enough offense for Parks who was absolutely brilliant in net. After stopping 12 shots through the first two period, he faced an onslaught in the third, facing 14 shots in the final frame. However, Wichita could not find the formula to defeat the Rapid City goaltender.

That included a barrage in the final minute of the contest, where Wichita put six thots on net, but could not score. Parks finished with 26 saves, moving to 10-4-3 on the season.

Despite taking the loss, Weninger stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced.

The Wichita Thunder (14-15-5) come home to take on the Kansas City Mavericks on Monday night. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:05.

Game Sheet

By Robert Pannier

Featured Image Courtesy of Wichita Thunder