Rush Set to Jump Start the Powerplay this Season
January 10, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB---The Rush are pleased to announce their partnership with Jayman Homes and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities this season. With every successful power play, Jayman Homes will donate $100 to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
"Our partnership with the Rush is a commitment to ensure kids have the opportunity to participate in organized sport and recreation specifically the sport of lacrosse." Careen Chrusch, Director of Marketing, Jayman Homes
"We are delighted to be partnering with The Edmonton Rush. This relationship will provide even more kids within the City of Edmonton and surrounding communities the opportunity to participate in organized sports and recreational activities," says Glenn McLean, Regional Manager, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
A 13-10 season-opening win over the Colorado Mammoth was certainly cause for excitement amongst the Edmonton Rush players, coaches and fans.
But GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan is keeping the lid on the pot. No bubbling over in joy. No looking past the rematch against the Mammoth this Saturday in the Rush's home-opener on Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place. And definitely not plotting any playoff positioning just yet. Game 1 is done. Game 2 is upcoming and it's still an 18-game schedule to contend with.
One step at a time.
"It's too early to get too excited, too high or too low," said Keenan. "We're going into this week prepared and ready to go."
The Rush certainly got the start they wanted to the 2014 NLL campaign. The victory in Denver was the first in a season-opener for Edmonton since 2007 when they got out to a huge lead then hung late to beat Philadelphia. More importantly, that win over the Wings was also the Rush's first-ever home-turf victory after going winless at Rexall Place in their inaugural season. So perhaps the win in Colorado last week, and a follow-up victory in the return matchup against the Mammoth will lead to as many good omens in 2014 that the win over Philadelphia did seven years ago.
It was a top-drawer win for the Rush against the Mammoth as key players contributed. A pair of talented shooters - Curtis Knight and Zack Greer - accounted for five goals, while standouts Jarrett Davis and Cory Conway both counted five points. Reigning NLL Rookie of the Year Mark Matthews didn't find the back of the net but his did pick up four assists as he returned to the city he starred in during his stellar college career. And on the back end, Aaron Bold mustered 30 saves.
For all the good that was accomplished, Keenan sees room for improvement which he'll want to shine through when the Mammoth come calling and looking for revenge.
"I felt we were really rusty and sloppy at times. I think we can be a whole lot better this week, not just in the first and fourth quarter but the entire game," noted Keenan. "We passed up a lot shots, dropped the ball at times, and our passing was not great. I think we got the rust out of our sticks and we're going to be a lot better this weekend."
Keenan, who guided the Rush to the Champion's Cup final in 2012, made sure the Rush got things rolling the right away even before the regular season started. In a twist to the usual training camp regimen, Keenan opted for a condensed, two-week set that immediately focused on team concepts rather than roster cuts.
"We brought in a low number of guys and we went pretty hard for two weeks and implemented everything we needed," Keenan explained.
"Now it's matter of practicing more and executing. We got lots of reps with what ended up in being the starting group and that's proven beneficial to us."
Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, also known as "GSP," is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist and world champion as well as a three-time Canadian Athlete of the Year. Recognized as one of the planet's best pound-for-pound MMA fighters and all-around athletes, GSP holds black belts in both Kyokushin karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. GSP lives in Canada and travels around the world to work with the best coaches and training partners in all disciplines.
"To reach out to athletes with similar vision of passion and achieving excellence within their sport is a great opportunity for me. I am excited to join the Rush in their season home opener, meet their passionate fans and come to the city of Edmonton." states St-Pierre
"Most exciting season home opener announcement in Rush team history." states owner Bruce Urban
"Georges St-Pierre will stand alongside our team, behind the Rush bench, for what promises to be a powerful start to the Rush 2014 season."
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 10, 2014
- Middle Quarters Plague Mammoth in Road Loss - Colorado Mammoth
- Rock Surrender Lead to Buffalo in 12-10 Loss - Toronto Rock
- Rochester to Honor '95 Team and Donner Saturday - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mammoth to Unveil 'Lacrosse Out Cancer' and 'Western" Night Jerseys Tuesday - Colorado Mammoth
- Roughnecks Re-Sign Scott Ranger - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rush Set to Jump Start the Powerplay this Season - Edmonton Rush
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