The Rush lost another one at home, this time 15-11 to the struggling Arizona Sting. The Sting had lost three in a row after beginning the season with three wins. But the Rush were tired, not arriving in Edmonton until today, coming off a disappointing effort against Colorado last night. The story tonight was momentum swings. The Rush came out on fire scoring the first three goals, but the Sting battled back to take control, going ahead by three in the 3rd quarter. The Rush then took the momentum back to tie it up but the final quarter saw the Sting put away the tired Rush team.

In a bit of a surprise, 45 year old backup Dwight Maetche got the start after relieving starter Pat Campbell in last night's game. He made 35 saves in the losing effort. The Rush went 2 for 5 on the powerplay while continuing their struggles killing penalties. The Sting were 4 for 7. Leading the way for the Rush was Kevin Howard (3G) and Kerry Susheski (2G, 1A) while the Sting were powered by Pat Maddalena (4G, 2A), Dan Dawson (2G, 3A), and Jonas Derks (2G, 3A).

Looking for their first home win, the Rush opened the scoring 1:30 in, courtesy of Kerry Susheski, his 6th of the season. Just three minutes later the Rush went ahead 2-0 on a goal by forward Chris Stachniak, the defender's 2nd of the year. The Rush just kept on coming and went ahead 3-0 just five minutes in on their 5th shot. Arizona scored right after that, added a shorthanded goal, and then completed the comeback to make it 3-3. The Rush rebounded with a great individual effort by Kevin Howard, his second of the night and 12th on the year.

The second quarter was back and forth early as three goals were scored within a minute. The Sting tied it up with a powerplay goal but the Rush quickly battled back to go ahead on a goal by Colin Sherbanuk, his 1st of the year. Then, the Sting tied it again, this time at 5. Scoring dried up for a while after the frenzy, but the Rush were able to pull ahead when Peter Gut caught Sting goalie Rob Blasdell out of his net with five minutes left in the half. The Sting then seized momentum, adding a powerplay goal and two late even-strength goals to go ahead 8-6 heading into the half.

It took six and a half minutes for scoring to start in the second half as the Sting scored to go ahead by 3, but it was the Rush who then opened the floodgates. Newcomer Mat Giles scored with a long helmet-less shot and Brad Dairon drew the Rush to within one on the powerplay. Then, on another powerplay, Tyler Heavenor tied things up at 9. The tie was short-lived though as the Sting scored just 24 seconds later to regain the lead. Kerry Susheski of the Rush scored his second of the night on a breakaway to make the final quarter the deciding one.

It took only nine seconds of the 4th quarter for the Sting to retake the lead and they never looked back, scoring five times in the quarter. The Rush got a goal by Kevin Howard to complete his hat trick, but it was too little, too late as the Rush now fall to 1-8 overall and 0-5 at home.

The Rush look for revenge against the Sting next Friday in Arizona at 7:30. They return home on Friday, March 17th for a St. Patrick's day battle of Alberta against the Calgary Roughnecks at 7:30.