In this edition of lacrosse after dark, we saw a massive matchup between the Saskatchewan Rush and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Lee’s Family Forum was jumping on Friday night in anticipation of this monster matchup. The visiting Rush came in as arguably the league’s hottest team, while the Desert Dogs were looking to string some wins together and become more cohesive as a new look team.
Now I’ll pause 10 seconds for station identification, also so I can do my hand and finger calisthenics, because this game was an absolute track meet, and it’s going to require a lot of typing. There were 36 total goals scored combined, so if you’re a fan who loves the high-scoring, offensive part of the sport, this is one you’re going to want to rewatch.
Saskatchewan got ahead in the first quarter and never looked back. The league’s top team continued their winning ways, exploding on offense to the tune of a 21-15 win over Las Vegas.
The first four goals of the game were split two per side and were scored by the same two players for each team. For the Rush, it was Zach Manns, and for Las Vegas, it was Chris Cloutier. Manns’ second goal was the start of a four-goal run for Saskatchewan, and as prefaced, this propelled them right away to staying in the lead. The other three goals were scored by Josh Zawada, Austin Shanks, and Mike Messenger. Adam Poitras finally stopped the Rush run with his first but was quickly answered by Ryan Church’s first on the power play. 6-3 Rush after one.
Las Vegas seemed poised to mount a comeback in the second quarter; however, the Rush kept them at arm’s length. Every time the Desert Dogs swung the momentum, Saskatchewan was right there to answer and quell it. Poitras opened the scoring with his second but was answered by Ryan Keenan on the power play. Kyle Killen buried his first for Vegas, but this time the Rush answered with two-straight, one from Keenan and the other from Brock Haley. Seeing the pattern here? Both teams traded goals one final time in the second, as Nick Preston buried his first for the Dogs, but was answered by Church. The Rush were looking stout. 10-6 at the break.
“I think we’re working hard, getting to the middle, and swinging the ball”, said Manns about the Rush’s first half offensive success. “Just continue to play with intensity, they’re a great team and they’re not going to go away.”
As if this game wasn’t fast and furious before, the third quarter saw the intensity ramp up tenfold. There were 13 total goals scored, with Saskatchewan outscoring Las Vegas, 8-5. Las Vegas was doing everything in their power to mount a comeback, but the Rush were right there to slam the door. Saskatchewan opened the frame with two-straight, one from Shanks and the other from Manns. Las Vegas answered right back with two of their own, courtesy of Mitch Jones on the power play and the other from Chase Fraser. Guess what? The Rush answered with two more. Shanks and Keenan registered those two goals, and it was all Rush. Killen, Fraser, and Jonathan Donville buried the final three goals of the quarter for the Desert Dogs, while Saskatchewan matched with goals from Haley, Shanks, Keenan, and Church. This one was all but over. 18-11 Rush after three.
The Rush kept the pace moving to begin the fourth quarter, as they tallied the frame’s first two goals, one from Keenan and the other from Manns. Las Vegas showed their moxie in response, as they rattled off three-in-a-row courtesy of Brandin Goodwin and Jones twice. Keenan and Cloutier traded goals to close this one out. A loud and emphatic win for Saskatchewan.
Players of the game for the Rush were Keenan (6+6), Manns (4+5), and Shanks (4+4). Frank Scigliano has his shining moments, stopping 33 of 48 in total. For Las Vegas, Jones (3+4), Cloutier (3+2), and Fraser (2+5) led the way. The goaltender situation for the Dogs was a bit messy in this one. Landon Kells started and made 32 saves on 45 shots in 44:25. Caleb Khan came in the rest of the way and stopped 9 of 17.
“Our offense was due to have a game like that where everything was clicking”, said Keenan. “It was a good time for our O to get going. It’s a group that now has a lot of experience together, I think we did a good job of wearing their D down.”
Saskatchewan becomes the first team in the league to reach five wins and are winners of four-straight. They travel back home for their next contest as they welcome in Oshawa. That game is on Saturday January 17th at 8pm. Las Vegas looks to continue the offensive success but limit the chances of the opposition. They stay on their home floor for their next game as Philadelphia comes to town. That game is also on Saturday January 17th at 10:30pm.
