By: Tim Moony, NLL Correspondent
On the proclaimed “Saskatchewan Rush Day” in Saskatoon, 9,431 fans came out to watch the Vancouver Stealth (1-1) earn their first win of the NLL season, by defeating the defending champion Saskatchewan Rush (1-1) 13-11, at the first home game at the Sasktel Centre. Upon entering Friday night’s matchup, The Rush had won the previous six regular-season contests against the Stealth. Eric Penney suited up in net for the Stealth, while Aaron Bold was in goal for the Rush.
In the first quarter, Logan Schuss scored his first goal of the season for the Stealth on a bounce shot, around five minutes in to the contest, and Rhys Duch would respond, to give the Stealth an early 2-0 lead. Rookie Jordan Durston scored his first NLL goal in his debut game. Durston stole the ball from Kyle Rubisch in the Rush zone, and put the ball over Bold’s right shoulder, while sprawling across the crease. The Rush would score the next two goals, from Curtis Knight, and Robert Church, respectively, to cut the Stealth lead to one. After that, the Stealth responded with unanswered goals from Corey Small and another from Durston, and they enjoyed a 5-2 advantage, after the first quarter.
The Rush would score the next two goals, to start the second quarter, with goals from Zack Greer and Curtis Knight, to cut the Stealth lead to one. Near the three-minute mark, however, Joel McReady would get the Stealth lead back to two, with a breakaway goal. After that point, the momentum swung in the direction of the Rush. Saskatchewan would score five of the next six goals in the quarter, to give the Rush a 9-7 advantage as the half drew to a close.
The defense and goaltending were the story of the third quarter, as the Stealth and Rush only conceded two goals apiece. For the Stealth, Duch and Small were able to beat Bold, and for the Rush, Chris Corbeil and Jeff Cornwall were able to get goals past Penney.
The fourth quarter would be the Stealth’s best quarter, and it ultimately made the difference in the game. Corey Small shined late, and Penney made several crucial saves in net. Small would score three consecutive goals, within a span of nearly four minutes, to give the Stealth a one-goal advantage, with under six minutes remaining in the game. In addition, the defense would clamp down, take away the top-side, and force the Rush underneath, for low-angle shots, to help Penney. McReady would seal the deal for the Stealth with an empty-net goal, with only six seconds remaining in the game.
It was the second win of Penney’s NLL career, and it gave the Stealth their first win of the season. The defensive efforts in the fourth quarter, along with Small’s three-goal run, and Penney’s play in net, came together to make the difference for the Stealth. Small finished the game with five goals and one assist, while Duch would add two goals and three assists, for the Stealth. The Rush were held scoreless in the final quarter of play. Mark Matthews would lead the Rush with one goal and five assists. Corbeil and Robert Church would tally three goals each, for Saskatchewan.
The Stealth (1-1) host the Colorado Mammoth Sunday, January 23, at Langley Events Centre, and the Rush (1-1) host the Colorado Mammoth next, on Friday, January 29, seeking their first win at the Sasktel Centre.
Tim Moony, NLL Correspondent
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