Monday, April 10, 2007

Dan Finck
Dan Finck

Chris Gill
Chris Gill

All the Edmonton Rush wanted was a fighting chance.

They've got one and now they're looking for the knockout punch. Having won two of their last three games, the Rush remain in contention for the fourth and final playoff spot in the NLL's West Division. And fittingly in such a close race, it all comes down to the last weekend of the regular season.

If the Rush lose to Portland and the Roughnecks lose in Arizona on Friday, then it comes down to a one-game showdown in the Battle of Alberta

But the Rush will need to be at their best and carve out their second two-game winning streak over the last three weekends of play to secure that berth.

Here's how it breaks down:

For the Rush (6-8) to get in, they'll need to sweep their two games this weekend. First it's a Friday road game in Portland against the cellar-dwelling LumberJax (3-12) and then it's the finale at home against the Calgary Roughnecks (7-7). Two wins and the Rush finish fourth and they'll meet either Colorado (11-3) or Arizona (9-5) in the division semifinal.

But the Rush can also get in with a split of their two games. If the Rush lose to Portland and the Roughnecks lose in Arizona on Friday, then it comes down to a one-game showdown in the Battle of Alberta. In that case, an Edmonton victory over the Roughnecks in the last game would leave both teams with 7-9 records, but the Rush would advance thanks to their two wins over Calgary.

Chris Gill's six-goal game this past Friday powered the Rush to a 13-12 victory over the Roughnecks. Jamey Bowen, with six points, and Jason Wulder, with a five-point performance, helped carry the load offensively for the Rush while Curtis Palidwor made 48 saves against his former club.

One night later, Gill continued on with his offensive outpouring as he netted three goals, including the 300th of his NLL career, and chipped in two assists but those five points weren't enough as the Rush fell 9-8 to the San Jose Stealth. Bowen, Jimmy Quinlan and A.J. Shannon each had a goal and two assists and Palidwor came up with another big effort by making 45 saves.

RBK Boston Pizza Tim Hortons Sirius Rogers
© 2005-2008 Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club. All Rights Reserved.