The The Saskatchewan Rush got their first win of the season on Friday night, clobbering the Las Vegas Desert Dogs 17-5. The Rush improve to 1-2 on the season while the Dogs drop to 1-2, putting them both in a tie with the Philadelphia Wings for 10th place in the NLL.
This game was never really in doubt. Zach Manns scored his first of four goals on the night just 46 seconds into the game, giving the Rush a lead they would never relinquish. Robert Church had a hat trick before the end of the first quarter, while the Desert Dogs only managed a single goal in those first 15 minutes.
It was more of the same in the second quarter, with Saskatchewan potting three goals before Las Vegas responded with a single marker.
Las Vegas showed signs of life in the third quarter. After the Rush ran up their lead to 11-2, the Dogs finally had a run of their own, scoring three times, including twice on the power play, and winning the quarter.
Saskatchewan took the momentum right back again in the final frame, scoring six unanswered goals to close things out, topped off by a penalty shot tally by Nathaniel Kozevnikov to close things out.
The real star of this contest was Rush goaltender Frankie Scigliano, making 38 saves on the night while giving up just five goals. Desert Dogs goalie Landon Kells made 30 stops in the loss.
Offensively, Ryan Keenan paced the Rush attack, recording a goal and nine assists for 10 points. Las Vegas was led by Rob Hellyer (3 A) and Sean Westley (1G, 2 A) with three points each.
The Desert Dogs’ next action is on the road against the Calgary Roughnecks on Dec. 30. The Rush host the Albany FireWolves on new Year’s Eve.
