Saskatchewan Rush break open tight game to win top spot in NLL West

After trading blows back and forth with the Colorado Mammoth through two quarters, the Saskatchewan Rush broke the game open in the third quarter with five unanswered goals to beattheir division rivals11-8 in National Lacrosse League action from Saskatoon.

The two teams played to a boisterous, sold-out crowd of 15,026 at theSaskTelCentre. They were both coming off a Friday night matchup in Colorado that saw the Rush win 11-5.

On Saturday, the Mammoth inched closer to matching their counterparts, but couldn't handle the Rush's quick,strategic attacks in the third quarter.

Through the first half of the game, the Mammoth capitalized on their quick transition game and on several Rush turnovers to head into halftime tied with the Rush at 5-5.

Meanwhile, the Rush spent the first half cyclingthe ball in Colorado's zone, setting up plays and screens, and trying to set-up their shooters in the high slot area.

Both teams relied on their stubborn, gritty defences to keep the game close.

That all changed at 5:51of the third quarter whenthe Rush upped the tempo of their attacks and started shooting from the sides on goalie Dillon Ward. It allowed Saskatchewan to goon a five-goal scoring spree that the Mammoth couldn't answer for until 14:48 of the third quarter.

After that, the Rush's defence clamped down and didn't allow many Coloradochances, helping goalie Aaron Bold to the 36-save win.

The Mammoth netted one final goal in the fourth quarter at 11:07 after an unsuccessful powerplay.

With the win, the Rush secured and will hold top spot in the NLL'sWest Division, which will give them a byethrough the first round of the playoffs, and into the West Divisionfinal against either Colorado, Vancouver, or Calgary.

• Saskatchewan Rush best Colorado, take top spot in NLL west
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Game notes

Curtis Knight and Ben McIntoshscored hattricks for the Rush, whileRobert Church, Jarrett Davis, Mark Matthews, Jeremy Thompson andZack Greer supplied the rest of the offence for the team.

Jeremy Noble had three goals and two assists for Colorado.Mike Mallory struck twice with Chris Wardle, Jordan Gilles andCallum Crawford also chipping in.

Aaron Bold made 36 saves for the win in net as Dillon Ward turnedaside 43of53 shots in defeat. Alex Buque played 23 seconds in goalfor the Mammoth and let in the lone shot he faced.

Colorado was scoreless on its lone power play and did not takeany penalties.

The top three stars of the game wereSaskatchewan'sRobert Church, Colorado's Dillon Ward and Saskatchewan's Ben McIntosh.