Blake Bennett is becoming quite familiar with scoring hat tricks and game-winning goals.
The Rapid City Rush forward notched his second hatty and third overtime winner of the season Thursday night, as the Rush walked off the Iowa Heartlanders 4-3 in overtime at The Monument Ice Arena.
Bennett scored a 5-on-5 goal in the first period and a power play goal in the second, with a Deni Goure 5-on-3 strike sandwiched in between.
Rapid City built a 3-1 lead late in the second period, only to see Iowa fight back to tally late goals in the second and third to tie the game and force overtime.
In the opening minute of bonus hockey, Connor Murphy made a brilliant save on Andrew McLean, who was wide open in front of the net. After a battle for the loose puck, Bennett was sprung on a breakaway down the center of the ice. He dragged the puck across the crease, shifted to his backhand, and lifted a shot past Kyle McClellan to end the night.
Murphy made 31 saves on 34 shots to earn his tenth win of the season, tying him with Matt Radomsky for the team lead. Kyle McLellan stopped 33 out of 37 for Iowa and suffered the loss.
Bennett now has scored 22 goals in 23 games and has 37 points with Rapid City this season. Ryan Wagner assisted on all three of the Rush’s goals in regulation, bringing his point total to 60 in his first year with Rapid City.
The Rush has now won five of its last six games decided beyond regulation, dating back to February 5. Bennett has three overtime winners in that span.
Rapid City has won 13 of its last 16 games and earned points in 15 out of 17. The club will host the Heartlanders again Friday at The Monument, with puck drop set for 7:05 Pm MT.