Rush Announce 2009 Season Schedule
September 3, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- The Edmonton Rush announced their 2009 National Lacrosse League schedule today and it features three meetings against their provincial rival the Calgary Roughnecks along with a showdown against the defending league champion Buffalo Bandits.
Edmonton's fourth season in the NLL gets under way Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome - a venue where the Rush have found some success during their time in the league. The Rush's first-ever victory came in dramatic fashion on the Saddledome floor in 2006 and again in 2007, the Rush stayed in the playoff hunt with a thrilling road victory at the Roughnecks' expense.
For the Rush's dedicated fans, the home-floor portion of the schedule launches Friday, January 16 when the Rush play host to their expansion cousins, the Portland LumberJax. It will be the first of three meetings with the Jax, who will visit Rexall Place twice during the campaign.
"We are excited about the upcoming season and we should get a great indication of where our team is at coming off of two big games as we face a pair of division rivals to start things off," said Rush President Duane Vienneau. "We will be battling those two teams for playoff positioning and if we can get off to a big start it should create a great deal of buzz for the whole season."
The Rush's 2009 schedule is highlighted by a few firsts as well. For the first time, the Bandits will invade Rexall Place as the reigning Champion's Cup winners pay a visit on Saturday, January 31.
"I am very interested in seeing where our team stacks up against one of the best teams in the league," noted Rush GM/Head Coach Bob Hamley. "I think we've revamped our roster to bring in the right people and with everyone on the right page, there's no question that we can compete with the league's best. A win over Buffalo would go a long way to proving that the 2009 edition of the Rush will be a team to watch."
Another first for the Rush in 2009 will be a home match up against the expansion Boston Blazers which will come on the final game of the regular season.
The Rush will play two other important rivals in home-and-away series during the '09 season. Edmonton will play in Colorado on Saturday, January 24 and then host the Mammoth on Sunday, February 22. Rush fans always get up for a visit by the Toronto Rock and they will come to Rexall Place on Saturday, March 28 with the Rush visiting Toronto on Saturday, February 7.
The Rush will also play three back-to-back weekend sets in 2009. They will trek to San Jose on Saturday, February 21 before returning home the next night to play Colorado. At the end of February, the Rush will entertain San Jose on a Friday night and then play in Portland the following night. And on March 3 - 4, the Rush and Roughnecks will have what is sure to be a heated home-and-home series.
Edmonton Rush 2009 Schedule
DATE AWAY HOME TIME
Saturday, January 10 Edmonton Calgary 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 16 Portland Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 24 Edmonton Colorado 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 31 Buffalo Edmonton 12:00 noon
Saturday, February 7 Edmonton Toronto 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 Edmonton San Jose 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 22 Colorado Edmonton 6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 27 San Jose Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28 Edmonton Portland 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 13 Portland Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 Edmonton San Jose 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 Toronto Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 3 Calgary Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 Edmonton Calgary 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 Edmonton Minnesota 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 Boston Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
*All times listed are MST.
National Lacrosse League Stories from September 3, 2008
- Minnesota Swarm Owns Seven Picks in 2008 NLL Entry Draft to be held Sunday in Boston - Minnesota Swarm
- Rush Announce 2009 Season Schedule - Edmonton Rush
- Boston Blazers Announce 2009 NLL Season Schedule - Boston Blazers
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