Forward sets up shop in the crease

Edmonton, AB -You won't have to suggest Edmonton Rush forward Mike McLellan to go to the hard places on the lacrosse carpet.

The 29-year-old, in his fifth season in the National Lacrosse League, sets up shop in those areas every game and the Rush looks for McLellan to continue to thrive in those places in the remaining games ahead.

Acquired along with a 1st round selection at the upcoming 2011 NLL Entry Draft from Colorado for Gavin Prout at the recent trade deadline, McLellan has provided Edmonton with a new dimension to the offense, yet, the grandest storyline sees Prout and the Mammoth now battle McLellan and the Rush for three games in nine days to decide the fourth and final playoff spot in the West.

Edmonton (3-9) and Colorado (2-8) square off in a home-and-away series April 1 at Rexall Place and the next night in Colorado before the Mammoth returns to Edmonton April 9 in the finale of the crucial series. Between West rivals.

"It's cliche to say, but we're going to treat these games as playoffs games," said McLellan, who has four points in two games in silver and black. "With Colorado coming into our building twice that’s an advantage for us, so hopefully we can use that to our benefit. We know it's going to be tough games as both teams are playing for their playoff lives.

"Whoever's going to win the little battles and compete the hardest should come out on top," added the six-foot, 180-pounder from Toronto.

And though he's more comfortable in the Rush lineup after two games, McLellan wouldn't allow the recent transition involving a big-name player such as Prout to affect the series against the Mammoth.

"It's always interesting to see names swapped back and forth and I've known Gav for a long time and I'm sure he's going to do his best to help his team, but when you're involved in a deal like that, you have to stay within your own game and not try to be over jealous to do anything you shouldn't," said the right-hander sniper who has 207 points in 76 games.

"Gavin's been a phenomenal player in this league and for a long time and I'm going to do what I've been doing for the past five years in this league and that's try to do the small things and help the team win."

McLellan excels with his inside game by going hard to the net and his willingness to cut into the middle gives Edmonton another off-ball presence and with most of his scoring coming from the crease area, he's gained a reputation as a player not afraid to get his nose dirty in front of the net.

"I've really developed that niche over the past couple of years," said the four-time 20-plus goal-getter. "Just an off ball player that tries to find an open area around the net and set picks and do my best to not only get myself open, but my teammates open, as well."

The Rush also expect McLellan -- dubbed as Maestro from a character in Seinfeld -- to perform his mastery of the art of putting the ball in the net and let's his stick act as the conductor's baton as the club tries to make the playoffs for the second straight season.

"Hopefully, we end this season with these last four games on a roll with a bit of momentum and make the playoffs. That's our goal."

By Bruce Rakoczy