Battle of Alberta
Published on April 14, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--The Edmonton Rush and Calgary Roughnecks square-off in the final edition of the 2010 National Lacrosse League's Battle of Alberta with a great deal at stake for both teams.
The Rush have already locked up their first playoff berth in franchise history and are still in pursuit of first place in the NLL's West Division which would mean home-floor advantage throughout the division playoffs as well as the possibility of home-turf advantage should the Rush reach the Champion's Cup final.
To take the regular-season division title, Edmonton would need to sweep its final two games - both of which will be played this weekend. The Rush kick off the regular-season wrap-up with Friday night's tilt against the Roughnecks. If the Rush beat the Roughnecks, they are guaranteed a regular-season finish of no worse than second in the West Division and they will host a home playoff date most likely against Calgary on Friday, April 30.
This will be the third meeting of the season between the two clubs, with each team winning its earlier home game. The Rush captured a 14-11 win at Rexall Place with the Roughnecks taking the rematch less than a week later by a score of 13-8 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
The Rush are 4-11 all-time versus Calgary but have managed some of their most critical wins in franchise history against their provincial rivals. Edmonton won its lone game of the 2006 season with a last-second 12-11 victory in Calgary, then won again on the Roughnecks' home floor during the 2007 campaign behind a six-goal effort from Chris Gill. The Rush finally beat the Roughnecks at Rexall Place in 2008 with an 11-9 decision but then lost the next five meetings with Calgary including three in Edmonton.
The Rush will then take on the league- and division-leading Washington Stealth on Saturday night in Everett, Washington. If Edmonton defeats Calgary on Friday night, and manages to beat the Stealth on Saturday night, the Rush will clinch the West Division regular-season title and have home-floor advantage for the division playoffs. The winner of the West Division is very likely to hold home-turf advantage through to the Champion's Cup final against the winner of the East Division.
Washington (formerly San Jose) took an all-time record of 10-1 into their last meeting with the Rush but Edmonton managed a huge 13-12 OT win just two weeks ago which put the Rush in position to challenge for the division title.
The Stealth will claim the regular-season division title with a win over the Rush. If the Rush lose to both Calgary and Washington, the Rush will wind up third in the West and travel to Calgary for the division semifinal.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 14, 2010
- Mammoth's Prossner Named NLL Transition Player Of The Week - Colorado Mammoth
- Williams' 15 Earns Him League Award - Rochester Knighthawks
- Corbeil Receives Rookie Of The Week Honors - Buffalo Bandits
- Minnesota Swarm Looking To Clinch A Playoff Spot This Weekend - Minnesota Swarm
- Knighthawks' Sean Williams Named Overall Player Of The Week - NLL
- Two Stealth Players Earn Weekly NLL Awards - Washington Stealth
- Knighthawks Can Lock Up Playoff Berth This Friday - Rochester Knighthawks
- Orlando Titans Weekly Game Notes - Orlando Titans
- Battle of Alberta - Edmonton Rush
- Orlando Titans in Playoffs - Orlando Titans
- Minnesota Swarm To Host "Dog Night" at Xcel Energy Center - Minnesota Swarm
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