The Saskatchewan Rush took both games as part of a home-and-home series against the Toronto Rock last weekend.
They have now successfully clinched a spot in the Champions Cup playoffs after sweeping the team they beat in the finals of the 2015 season.
It was 9-8 Rush heading into the final quarter of game one. Zack Greer had a two-goal night and Ben McIntosh cleaned up with a hat trick.
After the Rock tied it at nine goals between the two teams with two minutes remaining, it was Curtis Knight who played the role of hero. The forward provided the game winning goal before Jeremy Thompson later hit the empty net. He finished the game with five points after scoring his 17th of the campaign.
Aaron Bold played a great game in between the pipes, stopping 29 shots while allowing just one goal in the final quarter.
The power play for the Rush was mediocre, going three for nine, while Toronto went a perfect three for three. It wouldn’t matter as Saskatchewan took the game 11-9.
In game two, Saskatchewan fired 53 shots on net in a 13-8 victory.
In front of 13,100 screaming fans at the SaskTel Centre, the Rush came back from a two-goal deficit, unloading for eight unanswered goals between the third and fourth quarter.
Ryan Dilks led the way before Greer and Dan Taylor netted a pair each. Robert Church, McIntosh and Mark Matthews added fuel to the fire, finding the back of the net. Church finished with a game high six points, as did Matthews.
The Rush will now host “Saskatchewan Tribute Night” ahead of their upcoming tilt against the Calgary Roughnecks Saturday April 2.
The highlight of Saskatchewan Tribute Night will be the Pre-Game Banner Raising of Rush Defensive Coach Jimmy Quinlan, who played on the Rush from 2006 until 2013. The Rush will be raising his number 81 to the rafters of SaskTel Centre. His number was previously retired in 2014 as part of a ceremony in Edmonton, AB at Rexall Place.
The Rush are encouraging fans to be a part of history this Saturday as they look for their first sellout at the SaskTel Centre.
