The Edmonton Rush played their final game of the season on the road against the Colorado Mammoth and 16,239 Mammoth faithful last night at the Pepsi Center in Denver. They came away with a 13-10 victory to send them into the playoffs firing on all cylinders.
The Rush had first place in the West locked up weeks ago and were looking to finish off the season playing solid Lacrosse. They definitely accomplished that goal with their level of play over the last few weeks. They managed to beat the second placed Mammoth in their last two meetings.
Last nights game started with the Rush taking a two-goal lead early in the game on goals by Mathew Dinsdale and Mark Mathews. The teams exchanged goals and went into the half tied at five goals apiece.
The third quarter saw the Rush pull away with a six goals to and give them a lead into the final frame. Mathews scored only 29 seconds into the second half and the Rush’s lead was never threatened until mid way through the fourth quarter when Drew Westervelt scored a pair bringing the Mammoth within a goal.
Matthews replied with another of his own minutes later and put the game away for the Rush. Mathews had an impressive offensive output with 4 goals and 3 assists for a seven-point night. Mathew Dinsdale also had seven points with 3 goals and 4 assists. Rooke sensation Ben MacIntosh was the point leader for the night with a couple goals and a whopping 7 assists for a total of nine points.
The Mammoth played well enough to keep the game close and showed signs that if they manage to get by the Roughnecks in the Western Semi-final, they just might be poised to give the Rush a run for their money in the Western Finals.
The Rush on the other hand go into the playoffs full of confidence after what has been somewhat of a turbulent season by their standards. They seem to be working together as a close-knit unit and are ready for the challenges that await them in the 2015 post season.
The Mammoth play the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday May 9 at the Pepsi center.
