The Saskatchewan Rush survived a slow start to pick up a 12–9 win over the San Diego Seals on Saturday night at Pechanga Arena.
Saskatchewan’s winning streak is now extended to seven games — the longest for the Rush in 12 years and the longest since the team moved to Saskatchewan.
After falling behind 4–0 after the first quarter, the Rush rallied to outscore the Seals 12–5 for the remainder of the game.
The bad news for Saskatchewan came late in the first half. With 13.8 seconds remaining, Holden Garlent went down with what appeared to be a non-contact injury. He was in visible pain as he left the floor and did not return.
San Diego did itself no favours with discipline, racking up 23 penalty minutes and giving Saskatchewan 11 power-play opportunities. The Rush converted on six of them.
Robert Church led the way for Saskatchewan with four goals — including the 400th of his career — and seven points. Austin Shanks added a six-point night with two goals and four assists. Frank Scigliano earned the win between the pipes, stopping 40 of 41 shots.
Despite the loss, Chris Origlieri was outstanding in goal for San Diego. He stopped 29 of 40 shots and kept the Seals in the game. Connor Robinson led San Diego with four goals and two assists for six points.
First Quarter
San Diego got off to a quick start with a pair of goals right off the bat.
Dylan Watson scored 1:06 into the game, followed by Tre Leclaire just 13 seconds later.
Connor Robinson made it 3–0 at 10:23 after Zach Currier found him on the doorstep.
Saskatchewan thought they were on the board when Shanks spun around Zack Deacan and scored. However, the play was challenged and Shanks was ruled to be in the crease.
Shortly after, with 1:01 left on the clock, Robinson buried a feed from Ben McIntosh as the Seals led 4–0 after the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Saskatchewan opened the scoring in the second quarter on a two-man advantage at 2:29. Matt Acchione pushed the ball in transition and passed to Shanks, who pitched it back to Acchione for the Rush’s first goal.
The Seals restored their four-goal lead at 5:20 when Robinson found Wes Berg in traffic to make it 5–1.
The back-and-forth continued at 6:27 as Levi Anderson stepped around a defender and beat Origlieri.
San Diego answered at 7:51 when Watson picked up a loose ball in a scramble and scored.
Saskatchewan struck again on a pitch-and-catch transition play. Jake Boudreau got the ball to Shanks, who returned it to Boudreau for a power-play goal with 3:49 remaining.
Still on the power play, Shanks dove from behind the net to narrow the Seals’ lead to 6–4 heading into halftime.
Third Quarter
The Rush began to take over in the third quarter. Anderson found Church just 33 seconds in on the power play, pulling Saskatchewan within one.
On the power play, Leclaire unleashed a long-range shot at 4:03 to give San Diego a 7–5 lead.
However, Saskatchewan closed the quarter on a 3–0 run to take its first lead of the game.
Ryan Keenan scored on an incredible individual effort at 6:51.
Once again on the power play, Zach Manns found Shanks at the side of the net with 3:26 left to tie the game at 7–7.
While killing a double-minor penalty, Boudreau went coast-to-coast for a shorthanded goal with 40 seconds left, as the Rush led 8–7 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Rush kept their foot on the pedal in the final frame, outscoring the Seals 4–2.
Church scored with a seeing-eye shot at 1:58 for his 400th career goal.
San Diego pulled back within one at 3:15 when Pat Kavanagh found Robinson streaking down the wing.
Saskatchewan extended its lead at 4:36 when Keenan found a wide-open Church.
Church added another on the power play with 4:05 remaining, rifling a shot into the top corner.
San Diego got back on the board with an extra attacker on the floor, as Berg hit Robinson with a cross-floor pass at 1:28 to make it 11–9.
The Rush survived the slow start when Brock Haley scored an empty-net goal with 21.1 seconds left, completing the 12–9 victory.
Top Scorers
Saskatchewan Rush
- Robert Church, 4g 3a
- Austin Shanks, 2g 4a
- Ryan Keenan, 1g 3a
San Diego Seals
- Connor Robinson, 4g 2a
- Zach Currier, 3a
- Tre Leclaire, 2g 1a
- Wes Berg, 1g 2a
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