Game 2: One Down, One to Go
June 2, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
The Edmonton Rush have knocked down the first hurdle of the NLL Champion's Cup by winning Game 1 of the best-of-three series last Saturday night in Toronto. A 15-9 victory over the Rock has put the Rush just a win away from their first NLL title in this their 10th anniversary season.
But it is only one win. They need two, and getting that second victory isn't going to be easy against a Rock team determined to force Game 3. Sure it's an exciting time for the staff and players of the Rush, yet there's still plenty of work to be done.
"It's no different than in a game where you take one shift at a time," said Rush GM/ head coach Derek Keenan.
"You can't think about the end result. You have to be focused on the steps it's going to take to get that result. We have to have a good practice on Thursday, a good shootaround on Friday morning, and then when we get into the game it comes down to execution and will and playing our style."
The Rush's style was clearly evident in Game 1 as they virtually ran the Rock right out of the Air Canada Centre. Young legs and youthful enthusiasm were big dividends for the Rush, but on top of that, they were able to execute. It's well and good to have a plan, but if the plan isn't executed then it doesn't amount to much. But the Rush did execute to the tune of 15 goals - tied for the most the Rock have given up this season (OT loss to the Rush, and a loss to Buffalo) and a defense that prevented the Rock from reaching double digits for only the fourth time this season (including the Rush's 11-9 win in Toronto back in March).
It's a game plan that has worked very well for the Rush. They just want one more successful mission to complete the season's main goal - winning the Champion's Cup.
"I would say that everyone has bought into the system our coaches have set out for us. Sticking to a game plan is sticking to a game plan, no matter your age, experience, or lacrosse pedigree you have," said the Rush's Adrian Sorichetti.
The Rush's plan will include keeping up the speed which caused a great deal of havoc for the Rock.
"We have to play with that kind of pace consistently," offered Keenan. "When you see our third, fourth, and fifth guy sprinting to the bench, that's our style and they have to chase that. We are who we are. The minute we play at a slower pace and let the other team dictate the tempo of the game, we're not as good."
The boys in black and silver had plenty to rave about after Game 1's dominating performance over the six-time champion Rock. But the backslapping didn't last long.
"We had a good win but they were already talking about what we have to do this week," noted Keenan. "They know what the end game is but it's the process that they're focused on."
Youth vs. Experience: Much has been made about this Champion's Cup being between the youthful Rush and the veteran Rock, and while that is true in many ways, the Rush are downplaying Toronto's sizeable edge in experience.
"I think we definitely have the youthful enthusiasm on our side and it maybe played a part in Game 1's victory but they have so much experience and championships on their side that it cancels each other out," said Edmonton's Robert Church, who had a terrific six-point effort in Game 1 with three goals and three assists.
But the Rush aren't really that short on experience either. The Rush went to the Champion's Cup in 2012 and 12 players remain with the team including the entire defensive unit. And one would probably need several pages to sum up the assortment of championships and big games the Rush players have been in at various levels besides the NLL such as the World Indoor and Field Championships, Minto and Mann Cups, WLA and MSL playoffs, and the NCAA tournament. While coach Keenan is the only one with a Champion's Cup ring, the Rush are a team with enough seasoning that they're ready for the biggest game in franchise history.
"It was a long process, it didn't just happen, but we built this team with winners," said Keenan.
Three Stars: Rightly so, the Rush swept the Three Stars of the Week from IL Indoor though they were slightly different the stars selected at the ACC last Saturday.
The game-night media chose, respectively, Mark Matthews (3 goals, 3 assists), Aaron Bold (39 saves), and Robert Church (3 goals, 3 assists) as the game stars, while IL Indoor voted for Bold, Matthews, and Kyle Rubisch (7 loose balls, 4 caused turnovers).
The Rush also took three of five honorable mentions from IL Indoor - Church, Ben McIntosh (2 goals, 4 assists), and John Lintz (8 loose balls, 1 caused turnover).
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National Lacrosse League Stories from June 2, 2015
- Game 2: One Down, One to Go - Edmonton Rush
- Champions Cup: Game 2- Rush Ready to Rock - Edmonton Rush
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