Rush: Ready to Rock
May 28, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton Rush vs. Toronto Rock
(Edmonton Rush)
The Edmonton Rush would like to build themselves into becoming a franchise like the Toronto Rock.
When Game 1 of the 2015 Champion's Cup launches on Saturday night, it will mark the Rock's ninth trip to the NLL's final and they'll be looking to extend their league record to a seventh title reign. The Rush have been to the final once before and came up short but they're back with a deeper and more talented roster than the one that lost out in 2012.
The time is now for the Rush to take the next step from contender to champion.
"We've put together four good years in a row and getting to this point is difficult but we think we've earned it and we've learned a lot along the way," said Rush GM/head coach Derek Keenan.
Taking nothing away from what is sure to be a great series against the Rock, but this seems to be the Rush's year to finally emerge as the NLL's top dog. The Rush have had a banner season on the floor, finishing first in the West and taking out the perennially powerful Calgary Roughnecks in the division final. In a larger picture, though, this should be the Rush's year for what they've gone through off the floor together a tight-knit group.
The team has bonded over loss of Coach Keenan's wife and a dreadful illness that is affecting the life partner of goaltender Aaron Bold. They've won together, lost together, and lived together. That kind of bond is can only be further cemented by one thing - a championship.
Rock Stoppers: The Rush are going from facing one potent offense in the Calgary Roughnecks to another against Toronto. It won't be an easy task but the Rush have the defensive strength to at least stymie the Rock's top shooters like Josh Sanderson and Rob Hellyer.
"We can not give them time and space or they will pick us apart," said Rush defender Brett Mydske. "Toronto's offence is very well balanced and they share the ball with everyone on the floor, similar to ours. It's going to be a battle."
High Praise: The Rock have a great deal of playoff experience and big names on the roster like three-time Champion's Cup MVP Colin Doyle, but the Rush deserve much respect as well and they're getting it from Toronto.
"We know we're going to have our hands full," said Toronto's Josh Sanderson. "Saturday is going to be very intense and it's going to be a good final."
"Aaron (Bold) is a great goaltender and the backbone of a solid defense. It's not going to be easy to score against them," added Rock head coach John Lovell.
Road Warriors: After losing their first seven games in Toronto, the Rush have since won three straight at the ACC. Top gun Mark Matthews, one of a handful of Rush players hailing from Southern Ontario, is eager for Game 1 to be played in his own backyard.
"My family and friends the last couple of years have not got out to watch me play in Edmonton so it's going to be nice to know they're all going to be able to come out," said Matthews, the NLL's second-leading scorer during the 2015 regular season.
Though he's a B.C. boy, Robert Church has seen first-hand what the Rush's 'road' games in Toronto mean to his teammates.
"It's almost like a home game," noted Church. "It's a chance for them to play in front of their friends and family and sometimes that brings the best out of guys."
Smart Move: Earlier in the week, Coach Keenan made mention of how impressed he was by the effort showcased by Jeff Cornwall when he notched the series-winning goal in Game 3 of the West Final against Calgary. During the coach's conference call setting up Game 1 of the Champion's Cup, Keenan brought the Cornwall story full circle.
"We sat him out a game (April 25th vs. Minnesota) and since then I think he's been our best guy," said Keenan. "He took the challenge we gave him to heart and since then he's been very good for us. He's a freak of nature. He's so fast and so strong. He's a beast."
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 Edmonton Rush vs. Toronto Rock |
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National Lacrosse League Stories from May 28, 2015
- Rush: Ready to Rock - Edmonton Rush
- R. Thunder a Busy Bird - Rochester Knighthawks
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