14th annual Centennial Chargers Charity Classic begins Thursday
54m ago
The tournament has raised over $30,000 for various charities and other causes throughout Saskatoon.
The National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) best team got an added boost in the standings by beating the Saskatchewan Rush 12-11 in overtime on Saturday at Sasktel Centre.
Chase Fraser scored the winning goal 1:51 into overtime after scooping up a loose ball off the back of the Rush net before converting a diving shot in front of 13,291 spectators.
The win looked like it could be an easy one for the Bandits to secure as they took a 9-5 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
That’s when Saskatchewan would begin its comeback attempt. Three goals from Mark Matthews and a solo effort by Ben McIntosh erased the Bandits lead following a five-goal flurry in the fourth quarter.
With Saskatchewan and Buffalo knotted up at 10-10, it was veteran forward Jeff Shattler giving the Rush its first lead of the game with just 6:05 remaining in the final quarter.
A goal by Buffalo’s Shawn Evans knotted the game up at 11-11 with 2:09 remaining to set up the thrilling extra frame.
Matthews led all Rush scorers with four goals and three assists. Mike Messenger, Shattler and McIntosh all scored a pair of goals in the loss.
The Rush (6-5) will make their first trip to San Diego to take on the Seals on Friday. Saskatchewan will do so without its starting goaltender after Evan Kirk after he left the game making a save in the third quarter. He collapsed after the play and needed to be helped off the floor.
Rush head coach Derek Keenan said Kirk will have an MRI in the coming days, but he will not suit up on Friday as the team looks to backup goaltender Evan Shute in a battle for top spot in the Western Division standings.