The Camrose Crush have rebounded to tie their semi final series with the Red Deer Rustlers at 2 games apiece after two convincing wins last week. On Friday, the Crush had a dominating 1st period building up a 5-1 lead and then coasted to a 9-4 final. The Crush were again lead by their NCHL active career scoring leader Ryley Bennefield, who tallied 3-1-4 and Maverick Lines chipped in with 2-1-3. Rustlers NCHL MVP Tyler Berkholtz lead the Rustlers with a pair of goals. Game 4 in Penhold on Sunday was close for 2 periods as Camrose built up a 2-0 first period lead and held it until the fireworks started in the 3rd period. Red Deer scored in the first minute of the third to get within one, but that's as close as they came as each time the Rustlers scored, the Crush came right back to keep the lead at 2. Ryley Bennefield again lead the Crush with 1-3-4 and RJ Reed added 2-2-4, while goaltender Connor Dobberthein was very strong stopping 51 of 54 shots. Rustler's Tim Vanstone picked up 1-1-2. This series is now a best of 3 and Camrose has wrestled back home ice advantage.
The teams meet up in Camrose for Game 5 on Tuesday night, with Game 6 going in Penhold on Saturday night. If Game 7 is required, it will be played in Camrose on Sunday.
