Unbeaten Edmonton sets franchise record with sixth-straight victory

February 8, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton, AB--After honoring one of the best players in franchise history with the retirement of Jake Bergey's number 66, the Philadelphia Wings (3-5) couldn't stop the undefeated Edmonton Rush (6-0) with an 8-6 home loss at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.

Edmonton set a team record by earning their sixth-straight win while Philadelphia dropped their second game in as many nights following Friday's road loss to Toronto.

It was the Rush who set the early tone of the game with two quick goals from captain defender Chris Corbeil and transition player Jeremey Thompson, beating Wings goaltender Evan Kirk, into the net.

In the midst of aggression and tough battling, Edmonton acquired two penalties - defender Kyle Rubish with checking from behind and defender John Lintz for holding - as they crowded Wings forward Tracey Kelusky. This left a 5- on- 3 power play for the Wings, with Kelusky able to capitalize for the first Philly goal of the night.

However, the Wings momentum didn't last long as the Rush demonstrated why they're currently undefeated in the league, with powerful back-to-back goals by forward Riley Loewen - the first being a power play goal - to end the first quarter with Philly trailing 1-4.

The second quarter continued with the pattern of a lackluster offense for the Wings as Edmonton Rush forward Curtis Knight scored the fifth Rush goal of the night, assisted by Loewen. A battle of the two teams' defense continued on throughout the majority of the second until Rush forward Robert Church put another point up on the scoreboard for Edmonton, leaving Kirk without much chance of a save.

With the Wings back on the power play, they were able to use the advantage for a snipe into the net by Kyle Sweeney to end the second quarter trailing by three.

The third quarter gave the Wings an early advantage with a penalty for Edmonton, allowing forward Kevin Crowley to power the ball into the Rush net to make it 6-3 in favor of the Rush, with Philly still not having scored during even play for more than half of the game.

The Wings seemed to pick up more energy in the third, however still were only able to pick up one goal during the period, ending it down by three goals.

Philly looked to continue their rising level of momentum early in the fourth quarter with a goal by forward Pat Saunders a little over a minute into the quarter, marking the Wings first even play goal of the game.

But the Rush quickly shutdown Philly's momentum with a defensive letdown that allowed Knight to dominate Wings transition player Joel White for a shot to the top right pocket of Kirk's net, giving the Edmonton a three goal lead.

With a little under six minutes left in the game, Church doubled the Rush score on Philly, beating defender Chad Weidmaier for a beautiful diving goal to top right corner of the Wings net, making it 8-4 with Edmonton outshooting the Wings 47-34.

However, with a little over three minutes to go, Crowley finished on a perfect setup from forward Ryan ward giving Philly their fifth goal of the night, followed only minutes later by a power shot from Ward, cutting the Rush lead to 8-6, giving the Wings a chance an exciting chance to come back in the last few minutes.

However, Philly got into their scoring zone too late into the game as time was not on their side, giving Edmonton the 8-6 win - continuing their undefeated season - as the Wings just couldn't seem to capitalize on their breakaway opportunities and get one past the stellar goaltending of Edmonton's Aaron Bold.



National Lacrosse League Stories from February 8, 2014


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