Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Saskatchewan Rush (4-1) remain undefeated at home to start the season after defeating the visiting Halifax Thunderbirds (2-2) at Sasktel Centre Friday night. Led by Ryan Keenan (4G, 2A) and Zach Manns (3G, 1 A), the Rush scored the first goal for an early lead and never looked back. Despite strong efforts from Clarke Petterson (3G, 2A) and Dawson Theede (2G, 2A), the Thunderbirds could never get the game tied again, let alone take the lead. To close the game, the Rush flexed on defense as Frank Scigliano (7GA, 30SV) and company blanked the Thunderbirds. Final Score: Halifax Thunderbirds – 7, Saskatchewan Rush – 11.
An early holding penalty on Saskatchewan’s Ryan Barnable (1A) gifted Halifax a man up opportunity within the first minute of the game start. Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t capitalize and gave up the first NLL goal of 2026 to Manns. Halifax couldn’t find any opening in the first quarter and after a long scoring drought, Manns cut to his seemingly lucky side of the net and scored an almost identical goal. With 4:32 remaining in the quarter, Saskatchewan had a two-goal lead. At the end of the first quarter, Saskatchewan led Halifax 2-0.
The second quarter had most of the game action as both teams raced around the turf. Petterson scored his first of the game 22 seconds in, finally getting the Thunderbirds on the board. Saskatchewan answered, two-fold. Clark Walter (1G, 2A) struck back first, just under two minutes later and Keenan followed with his first of the night and 8:19 remaining in the half. Tyson Bell (1G) ended the mini-Rush run, but the teams started trading goals, neither able to gain any ground. Keenan scored on the power play for the Rush with 6:49 left, but Halifax answered three minutes later with a power play goal from Cody Jamieson (1G, 1A). On the next Rush possession, Brock Haley (1G, 2A) found the net past Halifax netminder Warren Hill (10GA, 41SV), but Petterson had the response from Halifax scoring his second of the quarter with 1:25 left. Petterson ended the volley, scoring his second goal in a row with just four seconds remaining. At halftime, Saskatchewan led Halifax 6-5.
No goals came in the first minute of the third quarter, breaking the trend from the first half. Just over four minutes into the second half, Robert Church (1G, 3A) scored on the power play and extended the Rush lead to two again. Halifax responded, but Theede’s powerplay marker came with 5:43 left in the third. Manns scored his hat trick goal 44 seconds later, restoring the two-goal lead. With 31 seconds left, Theede powered in another goal to cut the deficit to one once more. At the end of the third quarter, Saskatchewan led Halifax 8-7.
Saskatchewan owned the fourth quarter allowing no goals from Halifax and scoring three of their own. Keenan restored the two-goal lead 3:13 into play and then scored his fourth of the game on the power play with 3L32 remaining. Jake Boudreau (1G, 1A) added an empty net goal to bring the game to a close. Final Score: Halifax Thunderbirds – 7, Saskatchewan Rush – 11.
Up Next:
The Halifax Thunderbirds (2-2) travel to play the Ottawa Black Bears on Friday, January 9 2026 at 7:00 PM EST.
The Saskatchewan Rush (4-1) travel to play the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 10:30 PM EST.