Washington Stealth Faces Edmonton Rush this Weekend

Published on March 4, 2011 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Washington Stealth News Release


Everett, Wash. - The Washington Stealth returns to National Lacrosse League action this Saturday after last weekend's bye. The regular season resumes on the road against an Edmonton Rush squad that has defeated the Stealth twice this season already.

Each of the previous two meetings between the Stealth (4-5) and the Rush (2-7) were close, high-scoring affairs with the Rush winning both by a combined three goals. The Rush transition game was a major factor, led by All-Star Brodie Merrill who scored two goals and added eight assists in the two games against the Stealth this season.

The Stealth seemed to solve its transition issues in its most recent contest, the team putting together its most complete game of the season in a 20-7 victory over the Colorado Mammoth on February 18.

"We played like the team I expected to see all season long," said Stealth Head Coach Chris Hall after the Colorado game. "I think the big difference was in the transition game. We pushed the ball up the floor, opening up the offense and our defense applied a ton of pressure on [Colorado] as we looked to run."

The Stealth offense leads the NLL with a 12.77 goals per game average, led by a trio of All-Stars in Lewis Ratcliff, Rhys Duch and Luke Wiles. Ratcliff currently sits tied for third in NLL scoring with 52 points (19g, 33a), Duch is ranked third in goals with 24 and Wiles in ninth in goals with 18.

The Rush, a year removed from a trip to the West Division Final, have struggled in the first half of the season, but still sit in fourth in the West standings. The team has lost its last two games, including a 13-9 decision to the Rochester Knighthawks a week ago.

After averaging just 7.33 goals per game in the first three games of the season, the Edmonton offense has come alive recently, averaging nearly 12 goals per game over its last six. A big reason for that was the acquisition of forward Scott Evans, who leads the team with 13 goals in just six games with the team. The Edmonton defense however, is allowing a league-worst 12.22 goals per game, holding an opponent to less than ten goals just once this season.

The game will take place at 6pm PST at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Watch the game live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.

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