Rush's Perfect Start to be Tested against Colorado
April 2, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB---The Edmonton Rush have become the most celebrated team in the City of Champions.
But in the midst of the longest regular-season winning streak in National Lacrosse League history and the longest winning streak of any Edmonton-based professional sports franchise, the Rush themselves aren't focused on their massively impressive 13-0 record. Of course, they want to keep winning, and the next step for that comes Saturday night at Rexall Place when they host the Colorado Mammoth.
The Rush are more focused on long-term goals, primarily the NLL Champion's Cup. That's the target, it's been that way since Day 1 of training camp, and winning streak or not, the target has not changed.
"Thirteen straight is nice but we are by no means satisfied," said Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan. "We just want to keep trying to get better each week and keep building.
"We have our eye on a bigger prize and there is a long way to go until we get there ... a lot of hills to climb still."
The hills are there, but the players have their hiking boots on.
"Obviously we are happy to be at 13-0," said Rush forward Zack Greer, who racked up five goals this past weekend as Edmonton defeated both Rochester and Toronto.
"This weekend was big for us against two great teams but the streak is much less important than our bigger goals. In order to get there we need to continue to prepare one game at a time and try to get better each week."
Included in the Rush's current winning streak has been an undefeated run on the road. Dating back to the midway point of the 2013 campaign, the Rush have won 13 straight games away from Rexall Place - another NLL record. A year ago, the Rush made their way into Buffalo and Toronto, and surprisingly came away with two big wins including a dominant win against the Rock which was Edmonton's first at the ACC. Fast-forward and the Rush turned the trick again, taking out Rochester and Toronto in back-to-back games.
"The 13 straight road wins is special," noted Keenan. "It is a testament to our team cohesion and chemistry. This group loves being together."
The Rush's wins this past weekend, coming against two of the NLL's perennial powerhouses, was aided by a power play that went a combined 7-for-11, and got another boost from the penalty-kill unit that notched three shorthanded goals.
"We have placed a lot of attention on our special teams the last month and the extra work is paying off," added Keenan. "It's a credit to the players for paying attention to detail."
Next up for the Rush is a clash with the Mammoth, who have made a habit out of spoiling big moments in club history especially on Edmonton's home turf. Just a year ago, Colorado's road win at Rexall Place, prevented the Rush from landing a home playoff date.
"Colorado is a tough team to play. They work really hard and are very skilled," noted Greer. "They are also battling for position in the West so we know we are in for a tough one coming up."
PLAYOFF SITUATION: The Rush have clinched a playoff spot and a home playoff date for the first time in club history. Here's what lies ahead:
* Most importantly, the Rush can clinch first overall in the NLL and home-turf advantage throughout the playoffs as well as the West Division regular-season title if they beat Colorado. Rochester can at best finish 14-4 in the East but the Knighthawks have lost both games against Edmonton this season. A win over Colorado means the Rush would finish the year at worst with a 14-4 record.
* Even with a loss to Colorado, the Rush could still sew up home-turf throughout playoffs if Calgary and Rochester both lose this weekend. Edmonton clinches the West with Calgary loss and has beaten Rochester twice this season.
* Even with a loss to Colorado, the Rush can clinch the West title if Calgary loses to either Philadelphia or Buffalo this weekend. That would guarantee Calgary has at least six losses and Edmonton can finish no worse than 13-5.
STAR WATCHING: Inside Lacrosse Indoor named the Rush's Chris Corbeil its Second Star of the Week, and Zack Greer its Third Star of the Week following Edmonton's wins in Rochester and Toronto. In the two victories, Corbeil had three goals, including two shorthanded markers, plus one assist, 14 loose balls and three forced turnovers. Meanwhile, Greer notched five goals - one coming on the power play and one with an extra attacker - and five assists.
Record Watch: The Rush team records continue to fall in the midst of this impressive season, and many more are in danger of being broken as well. This past weekend, Chris Corbeil set a new team record for shorthanded goals in a single season with his fifth, and the Rush captain tied the team record for goals in a single season by a defenceman/transition with 12, previously set by Brodie Merrill in 2010. Meanwhile, Jeremy Thompson bypassed his own team mark for faceoff wins, now standing at 169 ... The Rush have also now tied their own franchise record for wins in a single season with 13 and tied the record for road wins in a single season at seven. With their last home victory over Buffalo, the Rush broke their own club record with six home wins in a single season ... On the scoring front, Mark Matthews needs 17 assists to top Ryan Ward's mark of 54 set in 2010, and 15 points to top his own record of 75 set last season. Curtis Knight, Zack Greer, and Matthews are all in range of beating Matthews' own record of 38 goals set in 2013. Kyle Rubisch needs just six more forced turnovers to best his own NLL record of 44 set in 2013 which broke the previous league record he established two season ago.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 2, 2014
- Colorado Looks to End a 'Mammoth' Winning Streak - Colorado Mammoth
- Philadelphia Wings Battle Calgary in Sole Matchup of Season - Philadelphia Wings
- Swarm Prepare to Play Two with Rochester - Minnesota Swarm
- Rush Protect Perfect Start over Two-Game Weekend - Edmonton Rush
- Rush's Perfect Start to be Tested against Colorado - Edmonton Rush
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