Saskatchewan Rush win sets up huge matchup for first place

A massive clash at SaskTel Centre this weekend could decide if the Saskatchewan Rush can grab top spot in the NLL. (Image: NLL/Youtube)

A massive clash at SaskTel Centre this weekend could decide if the Saskatchewan Rush can grab the top spot in the NLL.

A win over Vancouver on the weekend moved the Rush to 9-2 on the season, setting up a high-stakes battle against the 8-1 Buffalo Bandits this Saturday night.

Against Vancouver, the Rush led 5-4 at halftime, before erupting for four goals in the third quarter while shutting out the Warriors in the same frame.

Vancouver attempted to stage a comeback in the fourth quarter, but the Rush lead was too large as Saskatchewan went on to win 10-7.

The Rush got two goals each from Brock Haley, Clark Walter, Austin Shanks, and Robert Church, while goaltender Frank Scigliano made 31 saves in the victory.

Saskatchewan now sits in second spot in the NLL, only one game back of the Buffalo Bandits, who are 8-1 so far this year. Buffalo earned a 13-12 win over San Diego on the weekend.

The Rush are off to one of their best starts in franchise history. The last time the team started 9-2 was in 2018 when they won the NLL championship.

Saturday’s pivotal battle starts at 7 p.m. at Co-op Field at SaskTel Centre.