Rush Defender Lintz Hears the Buzz of W's, W's
January 30, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- The Edmonton Rush's undefeated start - the best one in franchise history - is just starting to create a buzz in the City of Champions.
John Lintz hears it every day as he lives in Edmonton and attends the University of Alberta. The lone hometowner in the Rush lineup is anticipating that more success will stir up even more noise about the team. The Rush will look to keep their winning ways going on Saturday night when they host the two-time defending NLL champion Rochester Knighthawks on Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place.
"If we can keep this momentum going and get a couple wins especially at home I think that buzz is going to keep expanding and getting people onboard with the Rush," said the five-year pro defender.
Born and raised in Edmonton, a fan of the Rush before he even became a member of the team, and still living and studying in the city, Lintz is well aware what the team's success would mean.
"That first year, I remember getting crowds of 9 or 10,000 fans," Lintz recalled. "But like in any sport, take the Oilers for example, the losses begin to pile up and it gets tough to watch when there's not a lot of success. We kept looking like an expansion team that couldn't find its way."
The Rush made small inroads in 2010 and 2012 with playoff runs - the latter concluding with a Champion's Cup appearance against the Knighthawks. Another playoff appearance came last year but still after seven seasons, the Rush have yet to host a post-season encounter.
"We've established a fan base and to get more people they just need to see some results," noted Lintz, who started youth lacrosse with the South Edmonton (Mill Woods) Warriors before moving on to play with Coquitlam in the B.C. Junior League.
"Getting a home playoff date would be amazing. I think if we get that it would really cement us in the eyes of a lot of fans."
The Rush are helping their own cause by playing an exciting brand of lacrosse, capitalizing on GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan's preference for an up-tempo game. Fans - those who've experienced the Rush and those who haven't yet - have to get a charge out of team that is averaging over 13 goals per game, standing up to the opposition's attack, and providing enough grit to get the testosterone flowing.
"We've got a lot of young, talented bodies at both ends of the floor," said Lintz, who has one assist, 19 loose balls and six forced turnovers so far this season.
"Our offense looks stronger than what we've ever had. There's probably not a more exciting player in the league on offense than Mark Matthews and we have a number of player on offense who are really exciting. We're playing an exciting brand of lacrosse."
There are still things to fix even for a team that is off to an unbeaten start to the year. Lintz specified two areas he's keen to see improvement in.
"Obviously we have to work on getting off to better starts," he said. "Twice this year we've given up significant leads and we can't make a habit of digging ourselves these holes to get out of. But coming back from 7-1 down in Vancouver showed a lot character and was huge for a young group.
"And so far this year we're not scoring a lot from our back end in transition. Guys like Kyle Rubisch, Brett Mydske, and Chris Corbeil are athletic enough to run the floor in transition and we've got to start capitalizing on that."
Tickets are available by calling the Rush office at 780 732-RUSH.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 30, 2014
- Rush Defender Lintz Hears the Buzz of W's, W's - Edmonton Rush
- Mic'd Up: Langtry Takes Place of Willie B. for Saturday's Game - Colorado Mammoth
- Swarm Ready for Matchup with Colorado on Saturday - Minnesota Swarm
- Knighthawks Sign Derek Hopcroft - Rochester Knighthawks
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