Opening Weekend Game Notes
Published on January 15, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--The Edmonton Rush open their fifth season in the National Lacrosse League with a doubleheader road trip as they begin their quest for a first-time appearance in the Champion's Cup playoffs.
The Rush have yet to hit the turf in the 2010 NLL regular-season and played just one exhibition game, dropping a 15-12 decision to the Calgary Roughnecks in Lethbridge, Alberta. The two games this weekend will be the first opportunity for fans and the rest of the NLL to see the Rush lineup which underwent an extensive overhaul in the off-season with numerous trades and signings orchestrated by new GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan.
Keenan takes over a Rush team that has failed to reach the NLL playoffs in each of its previous four seasons, missing out on an opportunity on the final weekend of the 2009 season. Since taking over, Keenan has added several new faces to the Rush roster including perennials all-stars Brodie Merrill (Portland LumberJax) and Gavin Prout (Colorado Mammoth) plus goaltender Matt Disher (Portland) and forward Ryan Ward (Minnesota Swarm). Amongst those returning to the Rush fold are home-town product Jimmy Quinlan, Andy Secore, Ian Hawksbee, and Rory Glaves. Team captain Chris McElroy, along with Quinlan and Glaves, are the last remaining members of the inaugural Rush lineup from 2006.
Edmonton's opening weekend against the Stealth and Mammoth puts the Rush against two of their toughest foes. The Stealth, which were formerly based in San Jose before moving to Everett, hold a distinct 9-1 advantage in 10 all-time meetings with the Rush, while Colorado holds a 8-2 margin in their 10 all-time meetings.
The lone Rush victory against the Stealth came during the 2008 campaign as they took a 12-5 victory at Rexall Place. The Stealth came away on top of both meetings last season, which were both played in San Jose.
The Rush have suffered some of their most lopsided losses in franchise history to the Mammoth including a disastrous 15-4 setback in 2008. But the Rush rebounded last season to take two of the three meetings with Colorado - the most impressive of which was a hard-earned 11-9 win at the Pepsi Center. Secore helped the Rush cause that night with two goals and two assists.
Statistically Speaking: Special teams play, which was an area of major disappointment last season, will be a huge focus for the Rush in 2010. The team finished last in the league in the penalty-killing at just 39.7% - a 10% clip below the second-to-last Calgary Roughnecks. Edmonton was sixth in the NLL on the power play at 46.7%. Goaltender Matt Disher, who returns to the Rush after spending part of the 2008 campaign in Edmonton before being traded to Portland, was third in the league last season among his counterparts with a.792 save-percentage. Disher was also seventh in goals-against average at 10.80.
By The Numbers: Via trades, the Rush have dropped four of the top five leading scorers from last season (Dan Teat, Mike Hominuck, Ryan Benesch, and Callum Crawford). That departed group accounted for 79 of the team's 159 goals (49.7%). Edmonton finished the 2009 campaign with an average home attendance of 8,347 - good enough for seventh in the NLL.
Fans can watch both games on the NLL Network at www.nll.com. Tonight's game will be broadcast live on 1260 The Team.
Edmonton's first home game is set for Jan. 23 against the Buffalo Bandits at Rexall Place.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 15, 2010
- Roughnecks served first loss of season - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rock win in overtime thriller - Toronto Rock
- Opening Weekend Game Notes - Edmonton Rush
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