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Edmonton Rush Game Notes

February 5, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton Rush (3-1) at Calgary Roughnecks (1-3) Friday, February 5 ~ 7:30 p.m. Pengrowth Saddledome

The Edmonton Rush will ride the first three-game winning streak in franchise history into a clash with the defending National Lacrosse League-champion Calgary Roughnecks.

The Rush extended their winning streak last weekend when they defeated the Roughnecks 14-11 in the first meeting between the clubs in the NLL's version of the Battle of Alberta. With the victory, Edmonton maintained its second-place spot in the NLL's West Division - another first-time mark for the team. The Rush sit 11/2 games behind undefeated league-leaders Washington while the fourth-place Roughnecks are 31/2 games off the pace.

After dropping all three games against Calgary during the 2009 season, the Rush have won two straight over their provincial rivals and improved to 5-11 all-time against the Roughnecks. Three of Edmonton's wins over Calgary have come on the Roughnecks' home turf. While still lagging far behind the Roughnecks in head-to-head encounters, the Rush have picked up some meaningful victories in the matchups including their only win of the 2006 campaign along with Chris Gill's six-goal game during the 2007 season. The Roughnecks, however, have handed the Rush some of their most devastating losses including a 22-10 pasting at Rexall Place last season and an 18-7 win at the Saddledome in 2008.

It was a well-rounded attack by the Rush against the Roughnecks as eight different shooters hit the back of the Calgary net. Dean Hill paced the Rush with three goals plus one assist while Scott Stewart, Gavin Prout, Andy Secore, and rookie Brett Mydske each potted a pair of goals. Scott Tinning, another first-year pro, notched his first NLL goal, with Ryan Ward and Brodie Merrill also adding singles. Ward helped the Rush offense with five assists while Merrill chipped in a game-high 18 loose balls.

The biggest story from the win over Calgary may have been the play of goaltender Matt Disher. Coming off his career-best season of 2009, Disher is picking up right where he left off and was stellar against the Roughnecks, making 45 saves. With that performance, Disher moved up to second in the league with 157 saves through four games and he stands fifth amongst NLL netminders with a.785 save-percentage.

Ward has been the Rush's most potent offensive threat this season and is currently sixth in the NLL with 11 goals. He leads the Rush with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists). Merrill and Prout also have 13 assists on the season. Hill is second on the Rush with nine goals, one up on Secore. Merrill has been dominant in all aspects of his game and leads in the NLL with 53 loose balls which puts him on pace for a 200+ loose ball campaign.

It has been a somewhat difficult start to the season for the Roughnecks, who won the NLL Champion's Cup in 2009 and 2004. They opened their campaign with a home-and-home split against the Minnesota Swarm and then dropped a home-turf outing against the Washington Stealth before falling to the Rush last weekend. With his seven-point game against the Rush last Saturday, Josh Sanderson continues to lead the Roughnecks in scoring with 25 points (12 goals, 20 assists).

Statistically Speaking: The Rush have the eighth-ranked power play in the NLL at 33.3% (6-for-18) and also hold down the eighth-place ranking in penalty-killing at 57.1% (nine goals against in 21 shorthanded situations)... It was an up-and-down game for the Rush's special teams units against Calgary as the Roughnecks scored four power-play goals yet the Rush countered with shorthanded goals by Gavin Prout and Ryan Ward. The Rush have counted four shorthanded goals on the year, the second-best total in the league, and they have yet to surrender a shorthanded marker. Ward now leads in the NLL with two shorthanded tallies.

By The Numbers: Although injured in the Calgary game, Pat Jones sits third in the league with 55 faceoff wins (55.6%)... The Rush entered last week's game as one of the least-penalized teams in the NLL but that took hit behind a season-high 41 minutes in the box... Rock-steady defender Rory Glaves and enforcer Ryan McNish are the only Rush players not to have registered a point yet this season.

Right back at ya

Rush and Roughnecks tangle again Friday in Calgary

Round two goes Friday in Calgary at 7:30 p.m. With little time to relish their 14-11 home victory over the Calgary Roughnecks last Saturday night in round one of the Battle of Alberta, the Rush and Riggers meet Feb. 5 in Calgary in the back-half of the home-and-away series between the two teams.

The Rush, riding a three-game win streak for the first time in club history, carry a 3-1 mark into the game, while the defending Champion's Cup-winning Roughnecks enter at 1-3. And if Friday's game matches the intensity and physicality of the previous battle, it should be a doozy as the two club's matched well throughout the Jan. 30 contest, with the Rush pulling away in the third quarter on some clutch scoring and key saves from goaltender Matt Disher.

"I think it was a huge challenge for us," said Rush transition star Brodie Merrill, of the victory. "We got really good goaltending from Disher. He came up with some huge saves and we got some timely goals, as well."

Merrill, was an absolute monster on the floor against the Riggers, collecting 18 loose balls, winning five of seven draws in face-offs and adding a highlight reel goal and two assists in the win. Merrill, who leads the NLL with 53 loosies, was also in the heart of the physical battles with the Roughnecks.

"We really wanted to try to get the transition going and be really aggressive defensively and I think we did a real good job in those areas," he said. "Their offensive group is not only highly skilled, they're really gritty, too. So they're not going to back down or be intimidated in the play."

The physical play between the two teams Saturday produced two fights, a game ejection and 61 minutes in penalties, setting the table for the return match at Pengrowth Saddledome this weekend.

"These divisional games are so important and we realize the challenge ahead of us," Merrill added.

Even with the recent success against Calgary and Edmonton's spot in the standings, the Rush won't be taking the Roughnecks lightly.

"We're at the quarter point and 3-1 is nice for us, but you know they'll (Calgary) be loaded for bear," said Rush head coach/GM Derek Keenan, on the return engagement. "We've got to be ready and be ramped up and be able to withstand an early onslaught.

"If we play again (like last Saturday), we'll have a good opportunity once again."

What a way to begin your National Lacrosse League career. With Ryan Powell out of action last weekend because of his commitment to Team USA's field squad, Rush rookie forward Scott Tinning admirably filled the offensive void against Calgary. Making his debut in the Battle of Alberta was exhilarating for Tinning, Edmonton's second selection of the first round (12th overall) at the 2009 entry draft.

"It was pretty intimidating for me," said the 21-year-old forward. "I knew earlier in the week I was drawing in and worked my butt off to be ready.

"Overall, it was physical and it got chippy," he said. "Obviously, everyone was ready to go. I didn't want to stand down to that, it actually got me a little more pumped up."

Tinning appeared to be a target of Roughneck roughhousing in the contest, however, the Kitchener, Ont. product stood his ground, producing a key third quarter assist on an Andy Secore goal and minutes later sniped his first-ever NLL tally.

"I just kind of ripped it," Tinning said. "Overall, it came out of the stick really well and obviously I was real pumped up about it. I was happy to get that one under my belt and hopefully there's more to come.

"When I get into the lineup, I'm going to have to prove that I can play in this league," added the young marksmen, one of three Rush freshmen to see NLL action early in the season, along with fellow forward Corey Small and defender Brett Mydske.

With the Rush entering Calgary in second place in the West Division behind the Washington Stealth, another game against the rival Roughnecks won't be hard to get fired up for, according to Tinning.

"We've got to be mentally prepared for Calgary," he said. "They're going to come out flying in their own barn and we're going to have to match their intensity and will to win as they're going to want to get back at us.

"All the boys will be ready for this one because it's the Battle of Alberta, so guys are extra passionate about this one.

"We have to keep this winning streak going, so we're going to have to come to play," he added, sounding like a veteran. "We want that to continue that."

The following weekend, Edmonton travels to Toronto for a Feb. 12 matchup against the Rock before returning home Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Rexall Place in the back-half of the club's home-and-home series against Toronto.

Story written by Bruce Rakoczy - Website Reporter

Merrill, Mydske earn NLL weekly awards

The Edmonton Rush are excited to announce that two of the team's players have earned NLL weekly honors following the club's 14-11 victory over the Calgary Roughnecks this past Saturday night at Rexall Place.

Brodie Merrill, one of the Rush's key off-season acquisitions, was named the NLL's Transition Player of the Week for his clutch overall performance, while Brett Mydske picked up the Rookie of the Week award for his two-goal effort.

Merrill, a perennial all-star and former NLL Rookie and Defender of the Year, was at his best with a combined showing that featured one goal, two assists, and 18 loose balls to go with 5-for-7 work in the faceoff circle. Merrill, the current league-leader in loose-ball collection, is currently on pace for 200+ season, and he along with teammates Gavin Prout and Ryan Ward are among the NLL's top 20 in assists with 13 through four games.

Mydske has flourished at the start of his rookie campaign. Drafted in the third round of the 2009 NLL Entry Draft, Mydske came on strong at training camp and earned a spot in the starting lineup. The former junior standout scooped up seven loose balls against Calgary and more importantly added two unassisted goals off faceoffs including a marker just 11 seconds into the second half.

"Brett contínues to amaze our coaching staff, our players and I am sure our fans." states GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan. "He is a rookie but I feel comfortable using him in all situations, not bad for a 3rd round pick."

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