Scorpions 4, Rush 3 (SO)

I don't think any one of the 4,515 in attendance at the SASC left disappointed after one of the best hockey games in the building's three-year existence. It was the consummate hockey experience, with unbelievable goaltending, crushing hits and highlight reel goals -- and for the first time all season, you could really tell that the Scorpions wanted those two points. Also, congrats to Tom Maldonado on his first professional goal in North America.

Observations:

• Every discussion of this game should start with Miguel Beaudry. The former Scorp was absolutely lights out in goal and, much like Kyle McNulty the night before, gave his team a fighting chance after the first period. When the Rush built the lead up to 2-0, I think a lot of people probably thought the Scorps were done. And when Beaudry made that otherworldy goalline save on Neil Trimm late in the second, I truly did not think he would be beaten on the night. At the end of the night, every member of the Scorpions, save McNulty and backup goaltender Paul Farias, had thrown at least one shot on the Rapid City netminder.
  
• In the other crease, McNulty had another very stellar start for the Scorps. His performance was clearly overshadowed by Beaudry's heroics, but several of McNulty's 21 saves came off quality scoring chances. He was also very steady in the shootout (more on that later). Not bad for a guy who's last start came more than a calendar year ago, and who joked during the jersey auction that his last back-to-back starts were probably three years ago.
  
• The Scorpions deserved to give up a goal or two to start the second period. There were probably a good half-dozen defensive zone turnovers that resulted in glorious scoring chances for the Rush, and McNulty could only do so much. In a 0-0 game, guys need to focus on just clearing their zone rather than looking to start an ill-advised rush
• I've bagged on the guy for years because of his tendency to whine nonstop, but Chris Lipsett is one hell of an offensive player. What hands to pull the puck from below the goalline and go roof on McNulty for the Rush's second goal. And then there was that shootout goal... Old No. 27 just knows how to hurt the Scorpions
• The Rush had their gem of a goal, and boy did the Scorpions have theirs to go up 3-2 in the third. Jamie Herrington and Seth Leonard made things look almost too easy, with the latter taking a gorgeous drop pass from Herrington and beating Beaudry with a finesse shot against the grain. If those two continue to click together, watch out!
• Has Jordan Foote ever met someone he wasn't willing to hit?
• I'll admit it...after Leonard was stuffed on the penalty shot in the first, I was pretty skeptical of the Scorps' chances in a shootout. Beaudry is a great goaltender one-on-one, and only the Colorado Eagles have been in more shootouts than the Rush. But the Scorps kept things simple and got the job done, paced by "breakaway specialist" Craig Macdonald (see Adam Minnick for inside joke). Torren Delforte finally managed to beat Beaudry after leading all players with 7 shots during regulation and OT, and what poetic justice for reigning Jeff File Unsung Hero Award winner Ross McCain to steal the spotlight in his first weekend back with the Scorpions
• Lastly, what an amazing, lively crowd at the SASC. They absolutely exploded when Maldonado finally got the home team on the board, and they stayed behind their boys until the game was decided. It says a lot that one of the loudest ovations of the third period came for Chris Robertson's diving clear on an early Rapid City powerplay. Those are the kinds of fans who help teams win at home