Rush crush Roughnecks 18-13 to snap losing streak against rival
March 2, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Calgary, AB--The Edmonton Rush (5-5) improved to .500 and snapped a 12-game regular season losing streak to the Calgary Roughnecks (5-5) with an 18-13 road win at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday night in their third meeting of the "Battle of Alberta" this season.
After retired Roughnecks legend Kaleb Toth was honored with the "Forever a Roughneck" distinction in an emotional pregame ceremony, the Rush jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Calgary responded to tie the game and were ready to try and take the lead in the final seconds of the first quarter by pulling their goalie for the final shot.
However, Rush defenseman Kyle Rubisch intercepted a Roughnecks pass and fired it down the field for a long-distance buzzer beater from his defensive end to give Edmonton the 3-2 lead as they would lead the rest of the game.
The Rush outscored the Roughnecks 6-4 in the high-scoring second quarter for a 9-6 halftime lead. Edmonton blew the game open with five unanswered goals in the first 6:29 of the third quarter for a 14-6 lead, the last of which was an incredible diving wraparound goal by Rush rookie Mark Matthews.
Entering the fourth quarter with a 16-8 lead, Edmonton scored two goals 18 seconds apart to make it 18-10 with 5:15 left. Calgary scores three goals in the final 4:07 but the deficit was too much to overcome.
With such a heated rivalry and frustration that came with spoiling Toth's night decisively, the two teams got into a tussle on the field after the game. The teams combined for 62 penalty minutes and both were proficient on the power play as the Roughnecks went 5-for-5 while the Rush went 4-for-6 with the man advantage.
Calgary's transition player and faceoff specialist Geoff Snider did not play due to a suspension he received for an elbowing incident in a previous game. Nolan Heavenor went a respectable 17-for-30 (57%) in his place while Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson went 15-for-28 (54%).
Rush forward Ryan Ward broke a franchise record of most points in a game 10 points (2+8), Jarrett Davis had five points (2+3) while Matthews (3+1), Zack Greer (3+1) and Cory Conway (0+4) each finished with four points.
Daryl Veltman recorded a team-high eight points (1+7) for the Roughnecks, Jeff Shattler had six points (3+3) while Dane Dobbie (2+2), Joe Resetarits (2+2) and Shawn Evans (2+2) all had four points in the losing effort.
Edmonton's 18 goals tied a franchise record for most goals scored by the team in a regular season game.
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