Rush Look to Build on Momentum against Swarm
March 28, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--The Edmonton Rush are out for a second straight win and a shot at furthering their chances for a spot in the National Lacrosse League playoffs as they host the Minnesota Swarm.
The Rush are coming off a critical home-floor win over Washington last Saturday, as they outlasted the Stealth 10-9 at Rexall Place. Edmonton, which thumped Washington 16-5 earlier this season in Everett, completed a season-series sweep of their division rival with the victory and temporarily moved into fourth place in the West.
After all of last week's action, the Rush are just percentage points behind Washington (.300 vs. .333) and Edmonton has two games in-hand on the Stealth. The Rush are two games behind third-place Minnesota, while the Swarm are just 2ý games behind Calgary and three in back of league- and division-leading Colorado.
Minnesota slipped ahead of Edmonton in their all-time encounters by a 4-3 margin thanks to a dramatic 10-9 overtime win back on Feb. 10. The contest wound up being the second-longest game in NLL history, going 72:23 until Ryan Benesch finally ended the matchup with his hat trick goal coming over 12 minutes into overtime. The only other game to go longer came during the 2010 season when Boston and Orlando went 76:06.
The teams split last season's two clashes beginning with the Swarm taking a 9-8 victory in St. Paul - a defeat that extended Edmonton's season-opening losing streak to three games. Nick Patterson mustered 47 saves in the Swarm's win while the Rush were anchored by a five-point game from Brodie Merrill.
In the return matchup, Zack Greer potted five goals including the game-winner with four seconds remaining as the Rush slipped past the Swarm 14-13 in Edmonton. Scott Evans and Ryan Ward each had a pair of goals for Edmonton in the win, with singles going to Brodie Merrill, Mike McLellan, Andy Secore, John Lafontaine, and Kedoh Hill. Merrill chipped in four assists for a five-point night, Ward added three helpers to make it a five-point night for himself as well, and Corey Small supplied three assists to aid in the attack.
In 2010 the teams had a home-and-home series one weekend apart that saw the Rush sweep the Swarm.
Ex-Swarm members Ryan Ward and Dean Hill came up big against their former club as the Rush earned a 16-14 win at Rexall Place. Ward led the Rush attack with a seven-point game on two goals and five assists, with Hill chipping in a five-point effort on three goals and two assists. Corey Small, Gavin Prout, and Ryan Powell each had two goals for the Rush, while Derek Suddons, Scott Stewart, Brodie Merrill, and Jimmy Quinlan each potted singles.
In the return match, Brodie Merrill capped a furious Rush comeback with the overtime winner as Edmonton notched a 13-12 win. Edmonton trailed 11-6 heading into the fourth quarter but rallied to force overtime, tying things up with 14 seconds remaining in regulation on Gavin Prout's second goal of the game. The night was productive on many fronts for Rush shooters with Merrill totaling five points (3 goals, 2 assists) and Ryan Ward collecting six points (3 goals, 3 assists). Andy Secore also had a six-point effort (1 goal, 5 assists), Dean Hill scored twice, and Corey Small and Jimmy Quinlan each added a goal.
With a four-goal effort against Washington, including one power-play marker, Zack Greer moved into a share of the lead atop the Rush's goal-scoring chart as both he and Scott Evans have 21 goals on the season. Evans and Corey Small each had two goals and an assist against Washington, Shawn Williams led the attack with two goals and four assists, and Ryan Ward chipped in three helpers. Aaron Bold, who was pulled in his two previous games, went the distance and made 28 saves.
NLL Ironman Shawn Williams leads the Rush in scoring with 47 points including 37 assists - the sixth-best total in the NLL so far this season. Scott Evans is next in scoring with 41 points, and he is second in the NLL with 50 penalty minutes. Ryan Ward is third in Rush scoring with 38 points and he is second on the team in assists with 27. Trailing Greer and Evans in goals are Ward and Corey Small who are tied for third on the team with 11 apiece. Williams and Tom Johnson are the only other Rush shooters in double-digits in goals with 10 each.
Rush defender Kyle Rubisch is following up his strong rookie campaign with a sensational second season. Rubisch leads the NLL with 23 forced turnovers and is tops on the Rush with 95 loose balls.
After being pulled in his last two starts, Rush goalie Aaron Bold put together a solid outing against Washington as he made 28 saves. Bold is second in the NLL with a 10.87 goals-against average.
Former Rush players Ryan Benesch and Callum Crawford are the top two scorers for Minnesota this season. Benesch leads the way with 54 points including a team-high 25 goals, while Crawford is second in points with 53 including 38 assists.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 28, 2012
- Rush Look to Build on Momentum against Swarm - Edmonton Rush
- Wings Captain Brodie Merrill Named NLL Transition Player of the Week - Philadelphia Wings
- Grant, Jones Highlight NLL Player of the Week Awards - Colorado Mammoth
- Nick Rose Wins Defensive Player of the Week - Toronto Rock
- Grant, Rose, Merrill & Jones Honored - NLL
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