Rush defence Grinchlike in domination of New England

It was redemption time for the Saskatchewan Rush.

Goalie Evan Kirk and Robert Church both bounced back from poor pre-christmas showings against the New England Black Wolves with stellar performances Saturday against the expansion New York Riptide in National Lacrosse League action before 6,089 on Long Island.

Kirk made 44 saves for Saskatchewan, including 27 stops in the second half, and Church, who was held off the scoresheet against New England, scored four goals in a 11-4 victory.

With the win, the Rush improves its record to 2-1.

Jeff Shattler helped orchestrate the Rush attack with two goals and four assists, while Mark Matthews added one goal and five assists, as both players recorded six-point games.

Saskatchewan opened the scoring with two goals just nine seconds apart. Rush 2019 first-round draft picks Justin Robinson, with an assist on Church’s first goal, and Holden Garlent, with his first-ever NLL goal, both figured in the scoring.

Marty Dinsdale, Ben Mcintosh, on a penalty shot, and Connor Robinson, Saskatchewan’s top pick in the 2018 NLL draft, also scored for the Rush, which led 4-0, 9-2 and 9-3 by quarters.

Four goals allowed were the second-fewest ever surrendered by the Rush in a regular-season game and New York’s fourth goal came only after a video review. Saskatchewan defeated Rochester 16-3 back in 2015.

After next week’s bye, the Rush squad returns to action with a rare Sunday matinee in California to take on the San Diego Seals on Jan. 12. Next home action for the Rush is on Jan. 18 against the Colorado Mammoth.