Jackrabbits rally to down South Dakota

Brandon Van Meter

Brandon Van Meter

The Jackrabbits’ men’s hockey team rallied back three times against USD to claim a 4-3 lead on Oct. 22 during Hobo Day week.

With 10:53 remaining in the third period, Drew Ruhlman hit the game-winning goal for the Jacks, as SDSU held USD scoreless for the remainder of the game to seal the win.

“I thought the team really persevered. We battled the whole game,” head coach Brad VanSanten said. “The game didn’t start the way we wanted. We felt before the game that the first goal was going to be really important to get the big crowd we had there really into the game.”

USD built the lead to 1-0 before SDSU’s Sean Franklin tied it up.

The Coyotes again found the goal before SDSU’s Johnny Rickert scored a goal to knot the score again.

With 11:37 left in the second period USD hit their third goal of the game.

SDSU rallied for the last time they had to, as Peter Rogers hit the Jacks’ third goal with 33.6 seconds left in the second period to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the third period.

Jacks goalie Jon Boerger allowed three goals on the game but made big saves at the end of the game, as USD pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie the game again at 4.

“At the end of the game, we knew USD was going to be in panic mode, and they threw every thing they could at the net,” VanSanten said. “Jon Boerger did a great job stopping the first shot and controlling the rebounds to keep USD from getting a good scoring chance. It really meant a lot to beat USD on Hobo Day, especially in front of a big crowd. To come away with the win was huge.”

#1.881302:2179769300.jpg:James Haynes.jpg:Jackrabbit forward Hunter Anshutz (9) sprays some ice as he makes a quick stop to throw off the USD defender. SDSU downed USD 4-3.:Robby Gallagher