Quinlan wants to lead by example in weekend series against Calgary

Published on March 9, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton, AB-- He's the most decorated Edmonton Rush player. And captain Jimmy Quinlan is sick and tired of losing games to the Calgary Roughnecks.

The veteran player, and all-time Rush leader in several categories including games played and most points, wants to change that winless routine this weekend as Edmonton has a home-and-away series against provincial rivals Roughnecks Friday at Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place and the Battle of Alberta continues the next night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Quinlan, the 31-year-old product of Sherwood Park, Alta., made his 100th regular season appearance as a member of the Rush Feb. 18 against the "˜Necks and looks to reverse that 12-8 loss and the club's seven-game winless skid in regular season contests against Calgary.

"As cliché as it sounds, we just need to play a full 60-minutes," said the five-foot-eleven, 178-pounder. "In our first game we were right there until about seven minutes to play before the wheels fell off.

"Just focus on what we need to do for 60-minutes. It's going to come down to execution and doing the little things -- the gritty work - that's the difference in these games," added Edmonton's all-time leading scorer (96 goals and 110 assists), who's game has morphed from a goalscorer to more of a complete player for the Rush over his seven seasons here.

Edmonton (2-4) and Calgary (5-3) lock up for another important West division matchup with Keenan's charges currently on the wrong end of Battle of Alberta scores against the Roughnecks.

"Well, it's time to get over that hump and not make excuses about anything," said the Rush bench boss, who's last two wins against Calgary came in both a regular season game and playoff action in 2010. "And forget about what's happened in the past."

The Rush, unfortunately with a bye last weekend, couldn't capitalize on the club's 12-10 win over Philadelphia one week prior, however Edmonton prepares for this weekend's matchup the same as its last victory.

"The message is the same that was said before the Philadelphia game and that's to compete and play with energy," Quinlan said. "It's playing with energy and playing with urgency and composure. It's a big game being a battle against Calgary, but we don't want to treat it any differently than a lacrosse game that we need to win."

"We need to get over that hump and take our game to a higher level because they are a very good team and we need to play our very best to beat them," added Keenan on Edmonton's back-to-back contest against Calgary.

"It's awesome," chipped in Roughnecks coach Dave Pym on the matchup between provincial rivals. "It doesn't get any better than this and we just want to get at it,"

The possibilities from an Edmonton perspective range from an opportunity to even its record to that of being four games under .500 at the middle mark of the 2012 National Lacrosse League season

"This is a big weekend for us," said Keenan. "It's a real tell-tale weekend in terms of where this team is at so, we've got to ready to go Friday night, for sure."

"I think the biggest thing that we can do as a veteran group is just to get the job done and lead by example," added Quinlan, named team captain prior to the season. "I don't think there's too much that needs to be said in the dressing room.

"We found a way in our last game and now we have to carry that over and use our experience into the weekend with these two games."

One battle at a time.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 9, 2012


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