By Colton Swiderski

Rush and Roughnecks meet for second time tonight

Feb 25, 2017 | 7:30 AM

The Saskatchewan Rush (5-2) are looking to make it six wins in a row tonight against their long-time rivals the Calgary Roughnecks (3-4), who are on a three-game losing streak.

The Roughnecks’ losing skid started back on Feb. 4 when the Rush visited the Saddledome. Since their 15-11 loss to Saskatchewan, Calgary hasn’t been able to find a win and have slipped from top of the league to last in their division.

Rush Head Coach and General Manager Derek Keenan sad the Roughnecks’ quick transition from the top of the division to last in a few short weeks is a perfect example of just how quickly standings can change in the NLL.

“It’s also an example of how hard it is to win consistently in this league,” Keenan said. “They had a heck of a start this year and all of a sudden they’ve lost three in a row, so that can happen to anybody, including us. We started 0-2 and we could very well be in a similar hole, but we dug ourselves out of it and we’re on a run with five in a row and we want to continue that this weekend.”

Mark Matthews had a goal and an assist in the Feb. 4 win, while Ben McIntosh got himself two markers and three helpers. Robert Church had a single to go along with four assists in the team’s 15-11 win.

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Goaltender Aaron Bold faced nearly 60 shots and stopped 46 of them in the first of four matchups between the two teams this season.

“I’m hoping we don’t give up as many shots this time around,” Keenan said. “Hopefully we put up a better defensive effort than we did last time.”

Keenan said he feels the team found their defensive groove during last weekend’s game versus the Colorado Mammoth, which the Rush won 8-7.

Tonight the Rush and Roughnecks go head-to-head for the second time this season. Keenan said the Saskatchewan boys will have to play at their very best tonight, as the Roughnecks try to make up for lost ground.

“The rivalry’s always there with Calgary and it continues to be strong. I don’t see that changing,” Keenan said. “They’re coming in a desperate team because they’ve lost three in a row. They’re not going to want to get too far behind in our division.”

During the game the Rush will be wearing custom jerseys for Superheroes Night in support of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. The jerseys, game-worn and autographed, will be auctioned on the team’s Facebook page, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Eleven-year-old Calla Gross is set to sign a one-day honorary player’s contract prior to the game. Gross is the 2016-17 representative of the Children’s Miracle Network Champion Program.

Gross was born pre-maturely, and weighed in at only 2 pounds, 5 ounces.  She has very mild cerebral palsy and wears ankle-support braces.

As part of her contract, Gross will receive her own player’s stall in the dressing room, jersey and equipment.  She will also have the honour of reading the Rush starting line-up to the players before the game, and will run out with Rush starting goaltender Aaron Bold as the TD Kid Captain of the Game. 

“We are excited to sign a young woman who has endured so much, yet through courage and determination, she has continued to persevere and inspire those around her,” Rush Owner Bruce Urban said in a written release. “We are excited to meet her and her family on this very special night.”

“I raise money because I know what it is like to be in the hospital,” Gross said. “I want other kids’ experiences to be not so scary.”

Opening faceoff for the game is at 7:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre.

Email: colton.swiderski@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @coltonswiderski