The final score indicates a loss, but it was still a banner night for the Rapid City Rush.

The Rush fell 5-4 in a shootout to the Amarillo Gorillas Friday night, but the single point gained for the regulation tie was enough to boost the Rush to the Central Hockey League Northern Conference title.

As it turned out the point wouldn’t have mattered. Later on Friday night, the Arizona Sundogs ensured the outright title for Rapid City by edging conference rival Colorado 7-6.

If the Eagles had tied the Rush on points and wins, Rapid City would have still owned the crown based on a 6-3-1 advantage in the season series with Colorado.

Colt King scored twice, Brendan Cook and Derek LeBlanc also tallied, and Blaine Jarvis added three assists for Rapid City.

Jake Morissette scored twice for Amarillo, including the shootout game-winner. David Nimmo, Shaun Arvai, and Andrew Smale also scored for the Gorillas.

LeBlanc gave the Rush a 4-3 lead early in the third period, just before ice problems at the Amarillo Civic Center forced play to be suspended for ten minutes.

After play resumed, Smale knotted the contest on the Gorillas’ third power play with 10:58 left.

Neither team could find the back of the net again in regulation or overtime.

In the shootout, neither team could find the back of the net against either goalie in the first four rounds. King, LeBlanc, Cook and Les Reaney were stymied in their one-on-one attempts against Brown.

Battochio took the overtime loss for Rapid City with 29 saves on 33 shots. Brown earned the win for Amarillo with 31 saves on 35 shots.

Rapid City, 43-13-7, finishes the regular season tonight at Odessa. The Rush will face the winner of the opening round playoff series between Missouri and Mississippi in the Northern Conference semifinals starting next weekend.