After four consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, the Rapid City Rush have given their fans an early reason for optimism, opening the season with two road victories against the Kansas City Mavericks.
The Rush scored 10 goals across the two games, showing an aggressive style of play that combined physicality, strong defense and production from the top lines. The 2-0 start marks the first time Rapid City has opened a season with two wins since joining its current league, according to team broadcaster Cory Berberian.
"They went down there and played the exact style of game they wanted to play," said Berberian, the Rush’s director of broadcasting and media relations. "Hitting everybody, everything that moves, up and down the ice, going north with the pucks and not dilly-dallying — just straight-line, simple hockey."
Berberian discussed the team’s start in an interview with Brandon Jones ahead of Rapid City’s home-opening series against Kansas City. The teams are scheduled to meet three times in Rapid City following their opening-weekend matchups.
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Berberian said the Rush looked like the better team through much of the first two games against a Mavericks squad known for its consistency and success in the division.
The early performance has been particularly encouraging for a franchise seeking to return to the playoffs. Berberian, in his third season with the organization, said his first nine games calling Rush hockey ended in losses.
"I want to come out there and say this team looks and feels different because they do," Berberian said. "They look so much different compared to at any point the last couple years, just in the last series in Kansas City."
Physical play and offensive production
The Rush have shown they can generate offense while establishing a more physical identity. Ryan Wagner and Alex Young each recorded five points in the opening two games, according to Berberian, giving Rapid City a productive start from its top forward line.
The defense also stood out, with Berberian crediting the group’s physical play and ability to limit Kansas City’s opportunities.
The offseason additions of defensemen Tyson Feist and Tyler Hidemoto have helped reinforce that approach. The pair played together previously with the Fort Wayne Komets, and Berberian said their familiarity has been an asset for a Rush team looking to become more difficult to play against.
He referred to the defensive pairing as the "Bash Brothers," a nickname reflecting their physical style.
But the aggressive approach extends beyond the blue line. Berberian said Rapid City’s forwards also delivered frequent hits, pressured opponents away from the puck and showed a willingness to stand up for teammates.
"Dave (Smith) used the word aggressive," Berberian said, referring to the Rush coach and general manager. "When Ryan (Wagner) is on his game, he personifies that."
Berberian said the Rush scored 10 goals during the opening weekend and appeared comfortable playing the style Smith envisioned when assembling the roster.
Nelson brings leadership and familiarity
The return of forward Logan Nelson is another important part of the team’s early momentum.
Nelson provides experience, defensive responsibility and leadership, Berberian said, particularly alongside Wagner. Nelson has become a familiar figure to Rush fans, and his presence gives the team another established voice in the locker room.
Berberian said Smith made acquiring experienced players who understood the league and knew how to win a priority during the offseason.
Nelson also helped connect the organization with players he knew from previous stops, including Feist and Hidemoto.
"He’s not going to light the scoreboard up the same way Ryan Wagner is," Berberian said. "But his leadership and his presence is never going to be overstated."
The Rush also received an early boost from forward Ryder Bolton, who fought a Kansas City player in the first period of the season opener. Berberian said the fight helped energize the team during a game in which Rapid City was building an early lead.
The combination of physical play, offensive skill and defensive discipline has created a different atmosphere around the team, Berberian said. He cautioned, however, that two games are only the beginning of a long season.
"Seventy games to go, but we can all just enjoy these first two games," he said.
Home opener offers an early test
The Rush’s home-opening weekend provides an opportunity to build on that start against the same opponent.
The schedule includes a Friday home opener, a Saturday game featuring a USA 250-themed jersey night and a Sunday Halloween-themed game. The Friday and Saturday games are part of the team’s USA 250 celebration, while the Sunday matchup is scheduled to include a postgame skate with players.
Berberian said the team hopes to carry its road momentum into the home arena, where fan support could help sustain the energy seen in Kansas City.
The Rush face a demanding early schedule, with much of the opening stretch taking place on the road and many opponents coming from teams that reached the playoffs the previous season.
That makes the opening series especially important as Rapid City looks to establish itself early rather than chase a playoff position later in the season.
Berberian said the team still has areas to improve, as is typical this early in the schedule, but the opening performances have given fans reason to be encouraged.
"I don’t think I’ve ever been as entertained as I was for games one and two of the season," Berberian said. "They’re playing a fun brand of hockey right now."
For a team that has spent several seasons trying to regain its footing, the early results offer a promising start. The challenge now is to turn that momentum into consistency.
