Rush Focusing on Game 2
May 15, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB---- The Edmonton Rush aren't getting wrapped up in what did or didn't happen in Game 1 of the NLL West Division Final.
They are focused on Game 2 - winning it on their home turf at Rexall Place - and forcing a 10-minute mini-game to determine who advances to the Champion's Cup. Many observers feel the Rush were short-changed to some degree in Game 1 at the Saddledome, but the Calgary Roughnecks capitalized on their chances to win 12-11 in overtime.
An illegal substitution call in the final minute of regulation against the Rush afforded the Roughnecks a penalty shot which they scored on. Not only was the call dubious, it appeared as though Calgary scorer Jeff Shattler had committed a crease violation while scoring yet there was no video review at the referee's discretion. In overtime, Edmonton's Mark Matthews had a goal waved off due to a crease violation which was the right call. The Roughnecks promptly answered the close call with Shattler's game winner.
It was a frustrating night, but one the Rush have to put out of their minds in order to equal the series on Friday night and force a deciding bonus clash for the division crown.
"At the time we questioned those calls but as in all circumstances like that you have to move on and doing things better as group to avoid being in those situations," said Rush assistant coach Jeff McComb.
"There isn't one call that can change the outcome of a game. We have to be ready to play Game 2. We have be prepared to play better than we did last week."
Earlier in the week on TSN 1260 Radio, Rush head coach Derek Keenan surmised that his team actually played quite well despite the loss and that were few areas that needed to be shored up in time for Game 2. Holding Calgary's high-octane offense to 11 goals was a reasonable job as was scoring 11 in regulation against a solid defense.
So without much to fix, the Rush will tidy up a few things like making sure line changes are done to a 'T' in the dying moments of a game.
"It was a tough game but I thought we played pretty well," said Rush defenseman Brett Mydske. "We're fortunate that we are higher seed because if you're going to be in a do-or-die game you definitely want it in front of your home crowd."
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National Lacrosse League Stories from May 15, 2014
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- Rush Focusing on Game 2 - Edmonton Rush
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