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Jax And Rush Collide Again

January 20, 2009 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, January 20, 2009 - A week after falling 11-10 to the Edmonton Rush at Rexall Place in Edmonton, the Portland LumberJax (1-3) return home to play the Rush at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 23rd at the Rose Garden Arena. This is the second of three regular season matchups between the two West Division rivals and the only one that will be played in Portland.

Edmonton led 3-1 early in the first quarter and trailed 4-3 at the break. The Rush only retook the lead when defenseman Ryan McNish scored an unassisted goal in transition with 2:59 left in regulation for the game winning goal. The defensive stalemate also featured nine ties.

In the 11-10 loss, the Jax were led by forward Ryan Powell, who scored two goals and added three assists and forward Cory Conway, who scored a goal and added a career-high five assists. The second year pro is fifth in the National Lacrosse League with 18 points scored.

Forward Peter Morgan scored two goals and added an assist and the human vacuum, defenseman Brodie Merrill collected a season-high 22 loose balls.

Merrill has now collected 20 or more loose balls in five games during his illustrious National Lacrosse League playing career.

Goalie Matt Disher stopped 40 of the 51 shots he faced and transition player Tyler Codron scored a career-high two goals.

For Edmonton (1-1), forward Dan Teat scored four goals and added two assists to be named game Most Valuable Player and newly acquired forward Ryan Benesch was the difference maker as he scored two goals and added an assist.

Goalie Steve Dietrich stopped 39 of the 49 shots he faced as the Rush allowed 10 goals or less for the second straight game to begin the 2009 season.

Forwards Andy Secore and Mike Hominuck have combined to chip in 12 assists in the first two games, but have surprisingly yet to score a goal.

Overall, Portland leads the series history 6-3 and has beat the Rush four of the five times at home by four goals or more. Edmonton's lone win in Portland came last March as the Rush squeaked out the 9-7 win.

With two of their team record six games remaining in January, Portland will look to begin its ascent up the standings Friday in front of the raucous lumberyard inside the Rose Garden.

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