JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Saskatchewan Rush (10-4) would win in a nail biter against the Vancouver Stealth (6-9) at the Sasktel Centre. It would be another thrilling game, but ultimately it would be the Rush who would walk away with the 16-12 victory over the Stealth. With the victory, the Rush remain as the NLL’s only undefeated at home team left, and have clinched a home playoff date.
Mark Matthews would lead the charge for the Rush, as he would finish up the game with seven points (3 G, 4 A). Adam Jones would also have a memorable night, as he would notch four goals on the night, which included a pair of goals during a six-goal outburst in the third quarter from the Rush.
The Rush now holds a 2.5 game advantage of the Colorado Mammoth in the West Division, as well as a game in-hand on the Mammoth. With the loss, the Stealth falls to a one-half game behind the Calgary Roughnecks for the third and final playoff spot.
Now with the victory over the Stealth, the two-time defending Champions Cup title-holders can finish no worse than second in the division.
The Rush would quickly eliminate a Stealth 1-0 lead with goals coming from Jones and Adrian Sorichetti only 12 seconds apart from each other. These goals would launch a run of six straight by the Rush, as Ryan Keenan would fire a low shot from outside to find the back of the net. Ben McIntosh would get himself going by whipping a sidearm shot past Stealth goalie Tye Belanger on the power play to extend the Rush lead to 4-1 before the end of the first quarter.
Jeremy Thompson would extend the Rush’s lead, as he would be all alone on a breakaway opportunity and find the back of the net. The Rush would swarm the Stealth goal, as they would make it 6-1 with a shot from Matthews from the slot. Vancouver would end the Rush’s run with back-to-back goals coming from Joel McCready only 21 seconds apart, however they would quickly recover as Jones would pick a corner for his second of the night. Matthews followed when he burst past a defender, and beat Richards through the legs. Vancouver’s Rhys Duch would the Stealth out a little bit, as he would beat Bold with a shot over the shoulder to make it 8-4 before halftime.
Early in the third, the two teams would trade goals early. The Rush would go on another streak scoring four in a row to take complete control of the game. Mike Messenger found the back of the next extending Saskatchewan’s lead to 11-6. Jeff Cornwall would pad the cushion, as he would find his way into the Stealth zone, and rifle a shot past Richards. Jones completed the hat trick with a long-range rocket; and would complete a highlight reel effort four his fourth goal of the night, extending their lead to 14-6.
Saskatchewan would jump ahead to a 15-7 lead early in the fourth quarter, as Keenan would fire a quick shot from the slot aiming for the top corner past Richards. Vancouver would be opportunistic with some late changes, as McCready and Duch would each complete their hat-tricks, putting a stop to the Rush’s late charge.
Keenan and McIntosh would both finish the game with two goals for the Rush; with Robert Church adding a fourth quarter goal. For the Stealth, Small would add two goals of his own; and one goal apiece from Cliff Smith; Justin Salt’ Jordon Durston; and Cory Conway.
Bold would finish the game with 37 saves for the Rush as he would capture a league-leading 10 wins. The Stealth goal tandem of Belanger and Richards would combine for 41 saves.
The Rush will be back in action next Saturday, as they welcome the visiting New England Black Wolves. The Stealth will return to Vancouver for a must-win game against the Calgary Roughnecks.
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Saskatchewan Rush
Lacrosse is Awesome