‘We all grind‘: Rush win at home, force winner-take-all for NLL Cup

(Courtesy: Saskatchewan Rush)

The Saskatchewan Rush held off the powerhouse Buffalo Bandits to win 11-10 at Sasktel Centre on Sunday night.

Thanks to an eight-point effort from Austin Shanks and 40 saves from Frank Scigliano, the Rush have a chance to win the NLL Cup in Buffalo on Saturday.

“It took a full 60,” said Shanks, who had three goals and five assists including the game winning goal. “That’s what we’ve kind of been grinding and doing all year. Getting the chance and having this opportunity is awesome, but it’s hard work and it’s sacrifice. And we’re excited for the game three.”

The Rush got out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before the Bandits tied it up midway through the second.

Back and forth runs gave the Bandits the lead until Jake Boudreau’s second of the game tied it at 6 with less than 1 second remaining in the half.

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“The goal that Boudreau got at the end of the half was huge,” said Derek Keenan, co-head coach and general manager, Saskatchewan Rush.

“Just made a great play and tied it up. And at the end of the day it’s a one goal game, so it’s big.”

Shanks says the Buffalo offense can heat up, so stopping their runs is critical.

“They were on a bit of a run there,” said Shanks. “And for [Boudreau] to score in that transition and the hard defense to get up there, going into the locker room, just gave us some energy.”

In the third quarter, fans were treated to highlight reel plays at both ends of the field.

Frank Scigliano, already down from stopping a shot, sprawled to his left, keeping the game tied at 6-6.

Minutes later, Chase Fraser scored a one-handed behind-the-back sub shot to give the Bandits the lead.

But not to be outdone, Brock Haley caught a pass at the edge of the crease and while diving, changed his shot angle to beat Matt Vinc, 7-7.

“Brock had a huge goal, as a rookie,” said Shanks, who had praise for all his teammates.

“This team, we just want to win. And we don’t care who shoots the ball, who scores the goals, and who does what. But we all grind for each other, and we’re so happy for each other’s success.”

The Bandits went into the fourth quarter with a 9-8 lead.

Zach Manns got his second of the game on the power play, then a pair of goals from Austin Shanks gave the Rush all they needed to force a deciding game three.

“Probably [Manns’] best game of the playoffs I thought,” said Keenan. “And he’s a handful as well. They have a lot of good athletes on their offense, and he’s kind of our guy that can break teams down. And he was good at that tonight.”

Keenan says the difference in both games came down to one team’s ability to make plays in the fourth quarter.

“If you compare the games, on Friday night Buffalo made some plays in the fourth quarter when they really needed it,” he said. “And we didn’t. So that’s really the difference, and it’s a really fine line. It’s going to be tough in there next week, but we’ll be prepared.”