By Saskatchewan Rush,

With Saskatchewan’s win and Colorado’s victory over Calgary, the Rush (9-3) will get a shot at repeating as Champion’s Cup title-holders as they clinched a spot in the 2016 NLL playoffs. The Rush beat Toronto 2-0 in the best-of-three Champion’s Cup Final in 2015 to claim their first league crown.

Down 5-4 at halftime and then trailing 6-4 early in the third quarter, the Rush went on a goal-scoring rampage all starting with defenceman Ryan Dilks answering Toronto’s sixth goal right off the faceoff. Mark Matthews then got the Rush even 6-6 as he sent a hard outside shot past Rock goalie Brandon Miller. Saskatchewan took the lead for good when Zack Greer threw a sensational spin move on Rock defenceman Bill Hostrawser, broke towards the net, and put a shot by Miller. Less than three minutes later, Greer struck again as he found open space at the top of the slot and sent a rocket to the top shelf of the net to make it 8-6.

Rush rookie Dan Taylor then connected for back-to-back goals that really put Saskatchewan in full control. Taylor’s first of the night came when he grabbed a pass at the edge of the crease, went airborne lunging across the goal-mouth, and tucking the ball into the net. Less than 90 seconds later, Taylor was back for more, taking a pass from Jeremy Thompson as he stood alone in front and burying his shot.

Saskatchewan’s run continued early in the fourth quarter as Robert Church gunned a high shot in during a two-man advantage, and Ben McIntosh followed with two straight goals of his own.

The Rush’s first three goals of the night were all scored on special teams. Matthews struck for a shorthanded goal when he collected Church’s shot off the end boards and put his own shot in the net. Church’s behind-the-back pass set up a power-play goal for Curtis Knight, and Jeff Cornwall notched a shorthanded tally as he beat Miller on a breakaway. Thompson had the Rush’s other goal as he broke in off a faceoff win and whipped in a shot only five seconds after a Toronto goal.

Church (1 goal, 5 assists) and Matthews (2 goals, 4 assists) both racked up a six-point night for the Rush. Saskatchewan goalie Aaron Bold made 31 saves, none better than when he robbed the Rock on a 2-on-0 break in the dying seconds of the third quarter.

Toronto (3-9) got two goals apiece from Rob Hellyer, Turner Evans, Stephen Leblanc, and Josh Sanderson. Miller, who was strong all night for the Rock, finished with 38 saves.