Photo Credit: Di Miller
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Friday April 28, 2017 the Saskatchewan Rush (12-5) would prove to be victorious over the Colorado Mammoth (9-9) at the Pepsi Center, where this time it would be the opportunity of the Mammoth gaining home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It would be a thrilling game, but ultimately it would be the Rush who would edge out a 10-9 victory over the Mammoth.
The first quarter would belong to the Mammoth, as Chris Wardle would give the Mammoth the first goal of the game at 13:09. However, the Rush would equalize the game at 8:48 as Ben McIntosh would wire the ball to find the back of the net. Following the McIntosh goal, the Mammoth would go on a three goal run coming from Eli McLaughlin; Jeremy Noble; and Callum Crawford
. McIntosh would get his second goal of the game with only 3:30 remaining in the first, putting the score of the game to 4-2 in the Mammoth favor.
Saskatchewan would wake up in the second quarter, outscoring the Mammoth 4-1 to go into halftime with the 6-5 lead over the Mammoth. The Rush would go on a three goal run of their own. Matthew Dinsdale would get things started for the Rush, as he would be the first to score for the Rush in the second quarter to cut the deficit to one. A minute later, Ryan Keenan would come up with the equalizer for the Rush. Following Keenan, it would be Curtis Knight who would give the Rush the momentary lead over the Mammoth. Eli McLaughlin would be able to tie things back up for the Mammoth with a goal of his own at 8:57, but Knight would once again find the back of the net with only three seconds remaining to give the Rush the 6-5 lead heading into halftime.
There would not be many goals in the third quarter, as both teams would boost their defense as much as possible. The Rush would extend their lead as Dinsdale would find the back of the net to get his second goal of the game at 10:50. Noble would help the Mammoth pull to within one with his second on the night at 4:17, but the one goal differential wouldn’t last long as Mark Matthews would have the last laugh with a goal of his own 90 seconds later, giving the Rush the 8-6 lead heading into the final frame.
In the final quarter, the Rush would get the first two goals of the quarter, with McIntosh notching his hat-trick; and Matthew with his second on the night to extend the Rush lead 10-6 over the Mammoth. 
However, the Mammoth would attempt a thrilling comeback in the last three and half minutes of the fourth quarter as Joey Cupido (unassisted); Wardle; and McLaughlin (hat-trick) would all find the back of the net for the Mammoth. With only 12 seconds remaining in the game, the Rush would be able to hold onto the lead. Giving them the narrow 10-9 victory over the Colorado Mammoth.
The Mammoth knew this game would be important as its outcome could determine whether or not they would have their first play-off game against the Stealth at home or away. Because of the loss, Colorado kept a close eye on Saturday’s Vancouver Stealth versus New England Black Wolves game as a Black Wolves victory would allow at least one home field game for the Colorado Mammoth in the upcoming NLL Playoffs.
The Rush would head to Calgary for their final regular season game to face their Western Division rivals, the Calgary Roughnecks at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome