Final berth on the line as Rush, Roughnecks square off

The Saskatchewan Rush established themselves as the National Lacrosse League’s best team during the regular season — but they’re also aware than it can come crashing down Sunday night.

The Rush will host the Calgary Roughnecks in a one-game, sudden-death Western Division final Sunday at 5 p.m. The winner advances to the best-of-three league final against either Rochester or Georgia, who square off Saturday in the Eastern Division.

Here’s five things to know, as the Rush try to reach their fourth consecutive NLL final.

1.

The season

Saskatchewan went 14-4 this season, which was the NLL’s best record, and they pieced together a perfect record against Calgary, winning 13-12 in overtime, 10-6, and 11-10.

The Roughnecks finished with an 8-10 record, and dumped Colorado (11-7 record) in the onegame Western Division semifinal, winning 15-12. Dane Dobbie collected a team-high six goals and three assists for Calgary.

2.

The stats

Three of the NLL’s top seven point-getters are playing in Sunday’s contest: Saskatchewan’s Mark Matthews led the league with 116 points in 18 games, teammate Robert Church was second with 107 points, and Calgary’s Curtis Dickson finished seventh with 92.

On the team front, the Rush scored the most goals in the NLL, and allowed the fewest — 254 for, and 196 against. The Roughnecks were fifth among nine teams with 227 goals scored, and three squads allowed fewer than their 211 goals against.

3.

The day

Sunday’s game was originally scheduled to be played Thursday — SaskTel Centre has been booked by Stars on Ice Friday and Shania Twain Saturday — but they moved it to the weekend at the NLL’s request.

It’s the first 5 p.m. start the Rush have had since they moved to Saskatoon prior to the 2016 season.

4.

The atmosphere

The Rush will hold a rally prior to the final. It goes at 2 p.m. at SaskTel Centre, with food trucks, games, face-painting and music. Players will be introduced to the crowd after arriving at the arena via bus, and fans are welcome to spray-paint a Roughnecks-themed car.

The doors open at 3:30 p.m., and once inside, the Rush will honour the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League-champion Nipawin Hawks.

5.

The future

If the Rush lose, their NLL season will end. If they win, they’ll have home-field advantage for the NLL’s best-of-three final.

Games in Saskatoon would be played May 26 and, if necessary, June 9.