Rush Start 2012 Season At Home
Published on September 12, 2011 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--A new-look Edmonton Rush roster will be on display when the team enters its sixth National Lacrosse League season on Friday, Jan. 20 against the division-rival Colorado Mammoth.
The Rush, who were within an overtime goal of reaching the NLL Champion's Cup final in the 2010 season, are aiming to be back amongst the league powerhouses after falling short of the playoffs in the 2011 campaign.
This year's lineup, put together by returning GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan, is one of significant change but also one of scoring prowess, dynamic performers, and young rising stars. The Rush have designs on not only getting back into the post-season but also progressing right through to their first appearance in the NLL final.
"With nine teams and the most competitive balance this league has ever had, there are no easy games," said Keenan. "Our fans will get a real good dose of West Division rivals along with a look at Toronto and Buffalo from the East.
"In comparison to last season, this schedule has better balance. Even with four in a row on the road after our home opener it's a lot better than starting with three on the road in the East like we did last year. A pair of back-to-back game weekends is palatable as well. It's a tough schedule but every team in the NLL will have a tough schedule."
Edmonton's 2012 NLL schedule includes four games against the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks, three against division-rival Colorado, and two meetings versus East foes Toronto and Philadelphia.
Following the Rush's home-opener against Colorado, Edmonton embarks on a four-game road trip starting with a trip on Saturday, Jan. 28 to Everett to take on the Washington Stealth - winners of the 2010 NLL title and finalists for the Champion's Cup a year ago. From there, the Rush pay a visit on Colorado on Saturday, Feb. 4 and then trek to Minnesota for a clash with the Swarm in Friday, Feb. 10. Edmonton rounds out its longest road trip of the season with the first edition of the NLL's Battle of Alberta when the Rush take on the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, Feb. 18.
When the Rush do finally return home on Friday, Feb. 24, there will be a familiar face waiting for them as two-time team MVP Brodie Merrill and Philadelphia Wings come to Rexall Place. It will be the first matchup between the Rush and Wings since Merrill was traded from Edmonton to Philadelphia this off-season.
The Rush's next home game is phase two in the Battle of Alberta as the Roughnecks visit on Friday, March 9. The game also marks the Rush's first back-to-back weekend set as they will complete a home-and-home series with Calgary the next night in the Roughnecks' home arena.
Edmonton visits Philadelphia for the first time franchise history to meet Merrill and the Wings on Friday, March 17, and then the Rush return to Rexall Place for a two-game homestand. On Saturday, March 24, the Rush host the Washington Stealth, and then round out the month of March on Saturday the 31st with the visit from the Minnesota Swarm.
The final month of the season might the Rush's most intense of the year. April open for Edmonton on Saturday the 7th when the play the first of two meetings in the month against the defending NLL champion Toronto Rock. One week later, the Rush take on another East Division opponent as the Buffalo Bandits come to Edmonton.
The Rush then move into their final back-to-back game weekend with a difficult home-and-away set. On Friday, April 20, the Rush are in Denver to complete their seasonal series against the Colorado Mammoth, and then one night later, the Rush are back in Rexall Place to wrap up the Battle of Alberta for the 2012 campaign with a visit from the Calgary Roughnecks.
Edmonton ends its 2012 NLL regular season with a bang as the Rush play host to the Toronto Rock.
National Lacrosse League Stories from September 12, 2011
- Rush Start 2012 Season At Home - Edmonton Rush
- Washington Stealth 2012 Schedule Announced - Washington Stealth
- Knighthawks' Home Schedule Features Bandits Twice, Return of John Grant, Jr. - Rochester Knighthawks
- Minnesota Swarm Announce 2012 Season Schedule - Minnesota Swarm
- Rock Announce 2012 Schedule - Toronto Rock
- National Lacrosse League 2012 Regular Season Schedule Opens on January 8th - NLL
- Mammoth 2012 Schedule Released - Colorado Mammoth
- Philadelphia Wings to Hold Angels Dancer Auditions - Philadelphia Wings
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