According to the head coach, the Edmonton Rush have played well for four quarters this season.

Trouble is those four quarters haven't all been together. Instead they've been spliced together over two games and in the end, it's equaled two losses at the start of the 2008 National Lacrosse League season. But the Rush have set their sights on a full 60-minute effort to get themselves out of the winless doldrums and they'll get their shot at it Saturday night against the Chicago Shamrox, who are also 0-2 to start the year.

"We're all disappointed so far, but it's a long road," said Rush GM/Head Coach Paul Day. "In the big picture it's better to finish strong. You can't look at a whole season in the first two weeks. We know what we need to work on."

There are many things currently under the Rush's category of 'work on.'

The offence, while being balanced, has yet to hit any sort of stride. It was there in spurts against Toronto, but too often, fast-break opportunities didn't have the needed results. The defence has been good in spots but after surrendering 14 goals in both games, there's no question that improvement is in order. And the goaltending, while not to blame for either loss, hasn't been top-notch yet either.

Day chalks up some of the struggles to rust on the Rush. Without an exhibition game and due to a relatively short training camp, the Rush have yet to find a comfortable early-season stride. It's left them behind the 8-ball for now as they iron out some kinks.

"We've had four really good quarters with good chemistry and then four quarters where we've been hesitant," explained Day. "There are a lot of new bodies out there but I watched the tape and watched the way we played and we were hesitant and thinking the game too much.

"We're trying to fit everyone in and we're not all that comfortable yet so they're watching instead of reacting. We've got to get 60 minutes of consistent lacrosse."

NET GAINS, NET LOSSES: The battle of veteran goaltenders clearly went in Toronto's favor last weekend as Bob "Whipper" Watson outdueled Curtis "Shut the Door" Palidwor. It was arguably one of Watson's better games in the past couple of seasons – certainly his best outing against the Rush. Palidwor, last year's Rush Team MVP, was pulled after six Rock goals. Day won't make a decision on who will start between the pipes against Chicago until after Friday's practice in the Windy City.

"It was more of a momentum shift getting him out of there," said Day of yanking Palidwor in exchange for newcomer Matt Disher. "We were looking to get a break and slow things down a bit. Dish played well so we'll see how both are and make a decision then."