Short-handed Saskatchewan Rush Down Firewolves

Photos by Shawn Slaght/All Lacrosse All The Time

A short-handed Saskatchewan Rush squad held off the Albany Firewolves for a 17-13 win on Saturday night in NLL action.

Frank Scigliano had to take a leave from the team as his wife is expecting a baby any day now. This left Thomas Kiazyk to make his first NLL start in goal for the Rush. Saskatchewan attempted to sign Laine Hruska, but a rule against game-day signings meant the Rush dressed defenceman Keegan Bell in goalie gear as the backup.

It was a quick learning curve for the young goaltender as he let in four quick goals. However, he settled in during the second half and shut the door in the fourth quarter, only allowing one Albany goal.

In addition, going against one of the best faceoff players in the league, Joe Nardella, the Rush’s Jake Naso went down with an injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game. In comments after the game, co-head coach Jimmy Quinlan said they are hopeful he will be back next week.

As the Rush move to 5-2, the Firewolves are now looking for answers, dropping to 2-6 and losing five of their last six games.

Early Learning Curve for Young Kiazyk

It was a rough start for the rookie goaltender, as he gave up four goals to start the game.

Ethan Walker opened the scoring with a long shot at 2:03. Dyson Williams followed that up, going far side on Kiazyk at 2:52.

Right off the ensuing faceoff, Zac Masson found the back of the net to make it 3-0. Williams rounded out the run, cutting across the floor at 5:06.

Saskatchewan’s power play finally got going. Austin Shanks scored at 10:12, diving across the crease to make it 4-1.

The Rush kept chipping away. Jake Boudreau picked up a rebound off the end boards at 11:21 to get Saskatchewan within two.

Off the faceoff, Will Johansen picked up the loose ball and went up and over to give Albany a 5-2 lead.

The Rush went on a three-goal run to end the quarter and tie it up. Clark Walter scored on a low shot with 1:57 left. Mike Triolo then used his big body to bully his way to the net 28 seconds later to make it 5-4.

With the extra attacker on the floor, Robert Church’s shot through traffic went in with 2.6 seconds to make it 5-5.

Rush Pull Ahead

Albany retook the lead early in the second quarter. Alex Simmons’ diving shot found the back of the net at 3:45.

Church tied it right back up at 4:25 on the power play to knot it up 6-6.

Simmons struck again at 6:26, picking the top corner to give Albany another lead.

The Rush wouldn’t go away, however. Ryan Keenan scored on a twister through the air at 8:23, and the game was tied 7-7.

Saskatchewan then took the lead. Already on the power play at 10:58, a delayed penalty put the Rush six-on-four. Church found the back of the net to put the Rush ahead 8-7.

Keenan then went high to low with a shot with 59.6 seconds on the clock to give Saskatchewan a two-goal lead.

However, with the extra attacker, Ethan Walker scored with three seconds left to make it 9-8 for the Rush at the half.

Saskatchewan Holds Slim Second-Half Lead

Albany got on the board first, as Williams scored at 1:59 to tie the game again. The Rush would come right back with Church finding Walter at the side of the net on the power play at the 4:00 mark.

The back-and-forth battle continued as Sam Firth was found all alone in front at the 6:26 mark to tie it 10-10.

Saskatchewan then went on a three-goal run. Zach Manns planted and let a shot go at 7:50. Keenan then found Church for the quick stick at 10:59 to make it 12-10.

Brock Haley finished off the run with a long bouncer at 11:33 to put the Rush ahead by three. Albany then pulled Doug Jamieson in favor of Andrew Kidd.

It sparked the Firewolves, as Tye Kurtz scored diving through the crease with 43.8 seconds on the clock.

In the dying seconds of the third, Kiazyk made a pair of saves but couldn’t stop the rebound by John Piatelli with 21.1 seconds left as the Rush led 13-12 heading into the fourth.

Kiazyk Shuts the Door

Saskatchewan mostly dominated the final frame. Jamieson went back in net, and the first shot he faced, 44 seconds in, by Manns went in.

The Rush extended their lead on a transition goal by Adam Jay at the 8:53 mark to make it 15-12.

Albany got one back with 3:20 left in the game. With Jamieson pulled for the extra attacker, Firth scored in traffic to make it a two-goal game.

Church put away a rebound off a Triolo shot with 1:41 remaining. Boudreau then iced it with an empty-net goal with 1:25 on the clock as the short-handed Saskatchewan Rush squad came away with a 17-13 victory.

Thomas Kiazyk spoke to the media after picking up his first NLL win:

Austin Shanks comments after a five-point night with the Rush:

Robert Church gave his thoughts after a 10-point night:

Co-head coach Jimmy Quinlan talks about his short-handed Saskatchewan Rush team picking up the win:

Top Scorers

Saskatchewan Rush

Robert Church, 5g 5a

Ryan Keenan, 2g 7a

Austin Shanks, 1g 4a

Albany Firewolves

Alex Simmons, 2g 5a

Dyson Williams, 3g 3a

Tye Kurtz, 1g 5a

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