JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Saskatchewan Rush (3-2) would continue playing off of momentum as they would travel to the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, and defeat the Roughnecks (3-2) with a final score of 15-11, silencing the 13,558 screaming Roughneck fans at the Scotiabank Saddledome. A handful of Rush players would have a huge night, as both Robert Church and Ben McIntosh would rack up 6 point in the contest. Curtis Knight and Mark Matthews would have themselves 5 point apiece; and Adam Jones would finish with a 4 point night, reaching the milestone with his 200th NLL Career goal.
Both teams would begin lighting the lamp in the opening frame, as there would a combined eleven goals between the two teams. Tyler Digby would get things started for the Roughnecks, but the Rush would bounce right back with a goal of their own from Jeremy Thompson. Momentum would remain in the Rush’s control, as Mark Matthews would convert on the power-play to break the tie and give the Rush the 2-1 lead.
Following the power-play goal from Matthews, the Roughnecks would gain some momentum of their own as they would convert on three quick goals. However, the Rush would one-up the Roughnecks, as they would answer back with four goals of their own from Ben McIntosh (2); Matthew Dinsdale; and Mark Matthews (2).
Following the strong end to the first quarter, the Roughnecks would outscore the Rush by a ratio of 3-1 in the second quarter to take an 8-7 lead heading into halftime. The lone Rush goal would belong to Adrian Sorichetti.
The Rush would storm back with a vengeance of their own with two goals in the third quarter. The first goal would belong to Rush rookie Matt Hassock, who would get his first NLL career goal in his debut with the Rush on a strong solo push through the middle, firing a shot past Roughnecks goalie Frank Scigliano. Following the goal from Hassock, Matthews would complete the hat-trick to close out the third quarter.
The Rush would take a 9-8 lead heading into the final frame of the game against the Roughnecks, where the Rush would flex their offensive prowess once again outscoring the Roughnecks 6-3. Adam Jones would get things started for the Rush in the final frame, as he would get a goal of his own a minute into the fourth quarter. The Roughnecks would get a pair of goals, but the Rush would bounce back with three goals as well coming from; Ben McIntosh; Robert Church and another from Jones.
Calgary would try to get something going late in the final frame, as they would notch one more goal. The Rush would bite back though with two of their own, coming from Nik Bilic, and Matthews for the fourth goal of the night to secure the victory for the Rush in the latest Battle of the Prairies game.
The Rush will have their next game on Saturday, February 11th when they visit the Rochester Knighthawks (2-3) at 6:30pm CST.
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome