Rush vs Roughnecks Saturday, January 31
January 22, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB---Following a 14-0 run to start last season, the last place the Edmonton Rush expected to be at the beginning of the 2015 campaign is heading to Calgary without a win from their first two games and tied for last place.
And after winning the NLL's West Division with a dramatic playoff series win over Edmonton, being winless after two games is just as unlikely for similarly last-place Roughnecks. But that's the case for the league's two Alberta teams as they go head-to-head on Saturday in the first of four meetings this season.
Some of the biggest wins in Rush history have come in Calgary. Now would be the perfect time to savor another critical victory.
"It's not sitting well with us that we are 0-2," said Rush assistant coach Jeff McComb. "This is a league where any of the nine teams can win on any given night, but we haven't been good enough and we've been focusing on being better this weekend."
They are far from panicking but the Rush have done some lineup alterations ahead of the clash in Calgary. Gone is former team-leading scorer Corey Small who was shipped to Vancouver on Monday for a pair of first-round picks. To replace Small on the active roster, 2014 second-rounder Tyler Melnyk was activated and may make his NLL debut not far from where he played junior lacrosse.
"We liked what we saw from him in training camp," noted McComb. "He came to camp very fit, he complemented the other lefties, and we'd be very comfortable utilizing him."
Off-loading Small should also allow for more touches for Mark Matthews and give Zack Greer more floor time. Matthews is leading the team with 10 points though four of his six assists have come on the power play. Greer has been held to just one goal and he's taken only 15 shots.
But the Small move may not be the only adjustment. Nik Bilic and John Lafontaine have appeared in alternating games so far this season. The Rush want to find a way to get both in the lineup and get back to the same set core that anchored the stingiest defense in the league a season ago. Lafontaine had not missed a regular-season game in three straight seasons, while Bilic played all but one in 2014 - his first season with the Rush.
"I think that would help us late in the game to make sure we've got the energy so we don't lose the lead like we did in the fourth quarter last week," said Rush captain Chris Corbeil, who saw his mates surrender nine goals in the final stanza of last week's disappointing 14-10 home-opener loss to Minnesota.
LOW FIVE: The Rush have scored the fewest goals in the NLL through two games, totaling 18 with six of those coming on the power play. McComb isn't concerned yet by the lack of 5-on-5 production.
"I don't think concerned is the right term but it is an area we need to improve," McComb said. "It starts with getting our defense off the floor and giving the offense 15 or 16 seconds to operate. And once they get on, we've got to be more physical. If we can do that, I think they'll be more successful."
The Rush return home to Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place Friday, January 31 against the New England Black Wolves at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available by calling the Rush office at 780 732-RUSH.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 22, 2015
- Bret 'The Hitman' Hart to be Special Guest for Stealth Game on February 14 - Vancouver Stealth
- Rush vs Roughnecks Saturday, January 31 - Edmonton Rush
- GO Guaranteed Win Night Begins Busy Weekend for Rock - Toronto Rock
- Calgary Roughneck Defender Andrew McBride Announced as ALA Technical Director - Calgary Roughnecks
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