Featured Image Photo Credit: Saskatchewan Rush
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Saskatchewan Rush would prove to be victories over the Colorado Mammoth in the first game of the West Division Finals, and take the 1-0 series lead. The game would be a back and forth battle, however it would be former-Mammoth Adam Jones who would be the difference maker for the Rush, as he would score five goals on the night. Final Score: Saskatchewan 18—Colorado 9.
The first quarter would be fairly even between these two teams, but it would be the Mammoth who would get themselves onto the scoreboard first as Eli McLaughlin and Jeremy Noble would find the back of the net to give the Mammoth the early 2-0 lead over the Rush. However, the Rush would get themselves back into the game with two goals of their own from the likes of Ben McIntosh and Ryan Keenan to get out of the first quarter tied at two.
The even scoring would continue between the two teams in the second quarter, as each team would find the back of the net three times before halftime. McIntosh would get the Rush going first, as he would wire a shot past Mammoth goalie Dillon Ward. The Mammoth would quickly strike back, as Noble would score two goals of his own giving him the hat-trick and the Mammoth the lead. A few minutes after Noble’s second goal, Rush rookie Tor Reinholdt would find the back of the net; followed by Robert Church following suit shortly thereafter. Jacob Ruest would hit net for the Mammoth, as the game would head into halftime with the 5-5 draw.
The Mammoth would score first in the third with a goal from Chris Wardle, but the Rush would break the game open in the third quarter, scoring four goals coming from Jones (x2); Church; and McIntosh (hat-trick) to give the Rush the 9-6 lead. The Mammoth would cut the deficit down, as McLaughlin and Noble would find the back of the net to head into the final quarter down 9-8.
In the fourth quarter, we would pay witness to the Rush showing why they are the defending champions, as they would explode with nine goals in the final quarter. The scoring streak would be kicked off by Rush Captain Mark Matthews finding the back of the net twice. McIntosh would soon follow, as well as Jones scoring two more of his own. Mike Messenger would continue the trend for Saskatchewan as he would wire a shot into the back of the net; and another off Jones. Zach Greer would put an end of the Rush scoring streak, scoring against his former team. Unfortunately for the Mammoth, shortly after Greer’s goal, it would be Jones who would get the last laugh for the Rush as he would score only a minute following Greer’s tally. Curtis Knight would score the final goal of the game for the Rush, getting them the 18-9 victory, and the 1-0 series lead.
Game Two of the West Division Finals will take place on Saturday, May 20th at Sasktel Centre where the Rush will look to close out the series, and advance to the Champion’s Cup Finals for the third consecutive year.
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome