Rush seek turnaround with trek to B.C.

Losses are stacking up as the Saskatchewan Rush head to Vancouver for what they hope is a turnaround game.

The Rush, 3-4, have lost three straight for the first time since they moved to Saskatoon from Edmonton prior to the 2016 National Lacrosse League season.

Here’s some things to know as the Rush prepare for their Saturday night clash in Vancouver against the Warriors:

A LOOK AT THE STANDINGS

Saskatchewan was 6-1 at the same point of their 2018 season, but it’s a different story this time. After a 3-1 start, they’ve lost 1310 to Georgia, 16-13 to Toronto and 17-12 to Calgary.

That triple setback leaves Saskatchewan third in the five-team NLL Western Division. San Diego and Calgary top the division with 4-3 and 5-4 records, respectively, followed by Saskatchewan at 3-4, Vancouver at 3-6 and Colorado at 2-5.

IN QUOTES

“Yeah, we need to turn this thing around,” Rush head coach Derek Keenan told reporters after Saturday’s loss to Calgary.

“It’s just a slump, man,” Rush forward Jeff Shattler said at game’s end.

“In any sport, teams get into slumps. These guys have been on top for four years now. We’re just going to face a little adversity right now and see how we’re going to answer.

“I’m not panicking.”

BY THE NUMBERS

Just one Rush player currently holds a lead in any given statistical category: That’s Saskatchewan defender Jeremy Thompson, who has a league-best 98 loose-ball recoveries through seven games. Next is Calgary’s Zach Currier, who has 90 through nine contests.

Reigning league MVP Mark Matthews is Saskatchewan’s top points-getter with 40 through seven games, good for 14th on the overall list. Buffalo’s Shawn Evens tops the NLL with 61 points through nine games.

BIG CHANGES IN VANCOUVER

The Warriors, previously called the Stealth, were purchased by Canucks Sports and Entertainment prior to this season. They promptly switched venues, moving from the Langley Events Centre to Rogers Arena.

The team is ninth among 11 teams in announced attendance with an average 7,700 per game. Last season, they were last with an average of 3,507.

Vancouver’s three victories this season have already eclipsed the two games they won in all of 2018.

UP NEXT

Saskatchewan follows Saturday’s game in Vancouver with backto-back-to-back home clashes — Feb. 22 against the Colorado Mammoth, March 2 against Calgary, and March 16 against the Buffalo Bandits.