Rush Rally Past Goatheads in Overtime
Rapid City erased a two-goal deficit and beat New Mexico 4-3 in overtime, with Jake Ratzlaff scoring the winner.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Hockey
The Rapid City Rush rallied from two goals down to defeat the New Mexico Goatheads 4-3 in overtime. Jake Ratzlaff scored the game-winner 1:46 into the extra period on a one-timer from the deep slot.
Why it matters
The comeback came after Rapid City trailed 3-1 late in the second period and scored three straight goals to tie the game. The win gives the Rush a strong start to the series at Rio Rancho.
Brett Mirwald made 23 saves on 26 shots in his Rush debut after being acquired off waivers from the Allen Americans. His regular season record between Allen and Rapid City stands at 6-0-1.
The players
Rapid City Rush
The Rush are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames and have recorded wins in 20 states across their history.
New Mexico Goatheads
The Goatheads are the Rio Rancho-based team that faced Rapid City in this overtime loss, marking the first meeting between the two clubs.
Brett Mirwald
Mirwald is the goaltender acquired off waivers from the Allen Americans who earned the win in his Rush debut.
Jake Ratzlaff
Ratzlaff is the Rush forward who scored the overtime game-winner 1:46 into the extra period.
Dave Smith
Smith is the Rush head coach who made the line changes that helped spark the second-period comeback.
The details
Rapid City trailed 3-1 late in the second period before scoring three straight goals. Dave Smith swapped Seth Fyten and Alex Young across the top two lines, and Quinn Olson and Ryan Wagner each finished with a goal and two assists.
Timeline
- October 30, 2026: Rush defeat the Goatheads 4-3 in overtime at Rio Rancho.
- Saturday, October 31, 2026, 7:00 p.m. MDT: Second game of the series scheduled at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
- March 6, 2009: Rapid City's previous trip to Rio Rancho, against the New Mexico Scorpions.
The Stats
This marks the first meeting between the Rush and the Goatheads, and it follows Rapid City's last trip to Rio Rancho on March 6, 2009. The two teams now begin a series that extends that rare matchup.
Fantasy managers tracking Mirwald and Ratzlaff should note the goaltender's 23-save debut and the overtime goal. The second game on Saturday will show whether the Rush can keep the momentum from this comeback.
The takeaway
Comebacks like Rapid City's show that a deficit late in the second period can still turn around with line changes and a steady push. Teams that stay composed through the middle frame often carry that momentum into overtime.
What happens next
The series continues Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. MDT at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
Further reading
For more on the team, see Hockey coverage in Rapid City.
