Feature Image Photo Courtesy Vancouver Stealth
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Saskatchewan Rush (6-3) would have their six-game winning streak snapped last night at the hands of the Vancouver Stealth (4-6), as they would fall to the Stealth by a final score of 13-9 at Langley Events Centre in Vancouver, BC. This would be the first Stealth win at home this season.
During the opening frame of the game, five different scorers would convert for the Rush which would pace the Rush for an early 5-3 advantage over the Stealth. Jeff Cornwall and Robert Church would score a little over a minute apart from each other to gain some momentum for the Rush. Church made an incredible individual effort, as he would steal a rebound off of the stick of Tye Belanger, and would sneak the ball past Belanger and into the back of the net while falling to the turf. Ben McIntosh would also finish a pass from Cornwall for a quick goal that would put the Rush up with a 3-1 lead over the Stealth. Adrian Sorichetti would find a wide open Adam Jones in front of the net, who would sneak it past Belanger to keep the Rush up by a pair. Score at the end of one: Rush 5—Stealth 3.
The second quarter would be all Stealth as Corey Small would start if off at 5:44 (assist Logan Schuss, Cory Conway); followed up only 90 seconds later when Schuss would get one of his own. The Rush would answer back with one at 9:45 off Curtis Knight (assist Mark Matthews, Cornwall). But it would be Vancouver to close out the end of the first half with Joel McCready scoring with the assist to Belanger at 12:23. Penalties were still low at this point in the game with one in the first on the Rush (too many men); and two in the second both going to Vancouver with Peter McFetridge (checking from behind) and Cliff Smith (too many men). The game would be tied at the half 6-6.
The teams would trade goals early in the third quarter before the Stealth would go on a three-goal run that would be highlighted by their second shorthanded goal of the night coming from the stick of Salt. The Rush would redeem themselves from Salt’s goal, as Ryan Keenan would find the back of the net with 56 seconds later on that same power play opportunity as he would convert on a quick-strike opportunity after receiving a pass from McIntosh. Church would be the last player to generate some offense for the Rush, as he would convert for his second goal of the night wiring a shot under the crossbar past Stealth goaltender Belanger. The goal would bring the Rush to within one goal, bringing the score of the game to 10-9. Following Church’s goal, Belanger would step his game up a notch, and finish the game with a total of 55 saves.
The fourth quarter would be all Stealth as they would shut out the Rush. Saskatchewan’s Mike Messenger would be called for an illegal body check that would result in a major penalty and a game misconduct, giving the Stealth a five-minute power-play. Stealth’s Schuss would wire a shot from the outside on the power-play (assist Rhys Duch, Small) to increase the Stealth’s lead over the Rush to 11-9. A few minutes later, the NLL’s leading scorer, Corey Small would increase the Stealth lead over the Rush even more as he would fire a wicked side-arm shot inside of the far post. The Stealth would put the final dagger on the coffin, as Salt (unassisted) would force a turnover, resulting in a breakaway to sneak it past Aaron Bold. Final Score: Stealth 13—Rush 9.
Ben McIntosh would finish with a four point night (1 goal, 3 assists); Jeff Cornwall had four points on the night (1 goal, 3 assists); and Mark Matthews would go without a goal but would contribute with four assists of his own for the Rush.
The Rush (6-3) will have another tough test in front of them next weekend, as they welcome the Colorado Mammoth (6-4) into Sasktel Centre next Saturday March 11, 2017. If the Rush loses the contest to the Mammoth next weekend, they would be tied for first in the West.
JJ Seaward, Beat Write Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome