Travel-weary Rush rally past Wings, stay tops in division

The Saskatchewan Rush solidified their hold on top spot in the West Division with a 16-11 win over the Philadelphia Wings on fan appreciation night at Sasktel Centre.

While nothing is more appreciative than a win, its the Rush fans that should feel extra appreciative after their team barely made it on time for Saturday’s game.

Following a 14-8 victory over the San Diego Seals on Friday, the team bus left for the airport Saturday at 4:30 a.m. in San Diego. After a flight and three-hour layover in Phoenix, it was time to head to Saskatoon. Landing so close to game time, the team decided to head straight to the arena with about three hours until ball drop.

“It was a bit of a milk run,” Keenan said of the long travel day. “It’s tough when you play in the U.S — there’s no direct flights back here. Our guys have always had this mantra about them where they don’t worry about it.”

Making the night more interesting was how the Rush rallied in the fourth quarter when fatigue was expected to be at its worse.

Saskatchewan entered the second half with an 8-7 lead after neither team could go on any long scoring runs. That all changed when the Wings managed to score four in a row after a Ben McIntosh goal early in the third quarter for the 11-9 lead.

“They’re championship pedigree,” Keenan said. “(We) just dug down deep and we had an unbelievable fourth quarter in all aspects.”

A goal from Mark Matthews just over a minute into the quarter would begin the 7-0 fourth quarter rout. Two McIntosh goals would wrestle the lead back for the Rush with 8:45 remaining in the game.

“It just seemed like the ball had eyes for me this weekend,” McIntosh said after scoring five goals on the Wings. “I’m not going to question it.”

The performance capped a career weekend for the burly forward. His six goals in San Diego added up to 11 goals scored in a little under 24 hours.

“He plays so hard. You saw a couple of the goals he got. He just ran over guys,” Keenan said.

The travel schedule seemed to have little affect on the 27-year-old, especially in fourth quarter.

“It’s definitely a grind, but every team in the league does it,” McIntosh said. “I guess at that point you’re just running on fumes and adrenaline.

Four more goals by the Rush would cap the win. Matthews joined McIntosh in scoring five goals while also adding three assists.

An important game against Calgary on the road for first place in the West Division awaits the Rush before they close out the regular season at home the following week.

“We’ve kind of dealt with a bit more adversity than we’re used to in the regular season this year,” McIntosh said about taking a four-game winning streak in the Calgary. “We’re hoping we’re peaking at the right time. Signs are pointing that way, so it’s looking good.”

Both teams finished 2-for-2 on the power play. Philadelphia is now 0-7 on the road and 0-4 against West this season.