The Saskatchewan Rush, hungry for redemption after falling just one victory short of the National Lacrosse League championship last season, kicked off their new campaign in triumphant fashion on Saturday night. Playing before their home crowd at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, the Rush secured a hard-fought 16-13 victory over the rival Calgary Roughnecks.
A Historic Night for a Rush Legend
The season-opening win was sweetened by a major personal milestone for veteran forward Robert Church. During the game, Church officially became the all-time Saskatchewan Rush franchise leader in games played. The milestone moment was highlighted by a four-goal performance from Church, proving he remains a crucial offensive weapon.
"(GM) Derek Keenan told me in pre-game that, tonight, I would have the most games played for the Rush," Church shared post-game. "It's special to be here for so long and be able to stay healthy and stay in one spot... I've been lucky. Hopefully I can continue to play here and win another championship."
Church expressed deep pride in the durability record, stating it ranks among his most cherished accomplishments for his ability to consistently compete at the highest level.
Offensive Firepower and Building Momentum
The Rush came out swinging, building a strong lead in the first half before withstanding a determined push from Calgary after the break. The offensive effort was a balanced and potent attack.
Austin Shanks led the charge with an impressive seven-point night (3 goals, 4 assists). Ryan Keenan contributed two goals and five assists, while Zach Manns netted three goals and added two helpers. Mike Messenger also had a multi-point game with two goals and three assists.
"We came out firing in the first two quarters... They came back, made a good run, but timely goals... and (goalie) Frank (Scigliano) made some massive saves," Church recounted, summarizing the team's 'bend but don't break' mentality that sealed the win.
Setting the Tone for the Season Ahead
For a team with championship aspirations, starting the season with a victory, especially against a tough West Division opponent like Calgary, is seen as critical. Church drew a direct parallel to last season's successful start, which helped build early confidence.
"It's big," Church said of the opening win. "Look at last year... It kind of sets the tone for the whole season. If you get the win, it builds some confidence and you go from there."
The Rush now turn their attention to maintaining that momentum. Their schedule continues with a road game against the Ottawa Black Bears next weekend, followed by a home game versus the Georgia Swarm on December 20 at SaskTel Centre. The holiday stretch will see the team travel to face the Halifax Thunderbirds on December 27 before hosting them on January 2 to ring in the new year.
The message from the Rush locker room is clear: this win is just the first step. The goal is to build on this performance and translate early-season success into a prolonged championship run, aiming to finish the job they started last year.
