Do or die in Colorado
Published on April 15, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB-Win and your in, with help, that is. That's exactly the scenario the Edmonton Rush face this weekend if the club is to enter the 2009 National Lacrosse League playoffs and compete for the Champion's Cup.
The Rush (5-10) finish the regular schedule at Colorado Apr. 17. and a victory over the Mammoth gets only half the job done.
Edmonton can clinch its first-ever playoff berth with that win over Colorado (6-9), combined with a Minnesota Swarm (6-9) home loss against New York Apr.18 in the last scheduled game of the season, as the Rush win the tiebreaker if all three West clubs finish at 6-10.
So it's quite possible the NLL playoff picture will not be settled until the final contest of the 96-game regular season to determine the fourth-place qualifier for post-season play.
Can you say scoreboard watching Friday and Saturday evening?
First, the Rush look to continue its strong play against Colorado in this must-win situation Friday, as Edmonton already earned two victories against Colorado this season, beating the Mammoth 11-9 in Denver Jan. 24 and recording a 10-9 win Feb. 22 at Rexall Place.
"It sets up nicely for us to go into Colorado where we've won previously, so we have some confidence going into a very tough building, one of the toughest buildings in the league," said Hamley.
"We have to focus on first things first. Going in tough against Colorado," said Rush captain Chris McElroy. "They've got a tough barn to play in, but we've won there earlier this year and I know the guys are ready to go.
"We have to focus on the positives from the last few weeks and bring those positives into Colorado. If we do that, we are going to give ourselves a good chance to win," he added.
Former Mammoth goaltender Chris Levis, who has been extremely steady for the Rush this year, earned two wins against his old club already this season.
"If there's a team that he knows real well in the league, it would be the team we're playing this Friday," said Hamley of Levis. "We're very happy for Chris. He's really taken the bull by the horns and really given us a chance to win every game which is all you can ask of your goaltender.
"I know he's pretty excited to go into Colorado to beat his former team again," Hamley added.
Other factors in the matchup, include Edmonton's league-worst 1-6 road record with four consecutive away losses, while the Mammoth have lost four in a row on its own and sport a 3-4 home mark, including two consecutive overtime losses.
"It's two desperate teams," said McElroy. "The message is pretty clear. There's nothing else for us to do other than win. We have to put it all on the line and get the job done."
"We've played with a lot of confidence the last few weeks and the games we've lost could have gone either way," chipped in Hamley. "We've now found a group we're quite comfortable both offensively and defensively and we've been better of late
"The guys are playing relaxed and loose. We really don't have anything to lose. Nobody expects us to win and get into the playoffs."
Edmonton, looks for its first-ever playoff appearance, despite a rather disappointing 2009 campaign.
"Unfortunately the way the season has gone for us is not the way we'd like it, but we're quite fortunate to be in the position we are," said McElroy. "We just have to go win and then worry about what Minnesota and New York do after that."
That's when the scoreboard watching begins as the Swarm (6-9) host the Titans (9-6) in that final regular season game.
Minnesota, with a less than impressive 2-5 home mark, hosts a Titans club eager for top spot in the East Division.
"We're fortunate that New York has something to play for," said McElroy. "If they win they can get first in the East."
"We need New York to win," added Hamley. "There are two good teams there and we know with the parity in this league, any team can win on a given night."
Whatever the final outcome, the winner out of Edmonton/Colorado/Minnesota sweepstakes gets the unenviable task of meeting the top-rated Calgary Roughnecks in the first round of the West Division playoffs.
"It's going to be an interesting weekend, but, we're happy it's come down to this and we do have a shot, obviously, and hopefully things will work out for us," Hamley said.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 15, 2009
- NLL Single-Season Points and Assists Records could fall this weekend - NLL
- Wings Forward Merrick Thomson Named NLL Offensive Player of the Week - Philadelphia Wings
- Do or die in Colorado - Edmonton Rush
- Buffalo Bandits To Set League Attendance Record - Buffalo Bandits
- Knighthawks Need Win Saturday To Make Playoffs - Rochester Knighthawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
