Excitement builds as Rush getting ready to host first playoff game since 2019

For the first time since 2019, the Saskatchewan Rush is returning to the National Lacrosse League playoffs.

The Rush will host the Georgia Swarm on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre in a single-elimination game.

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The last time the Rush played in a playoff game, Saskatchewan lost 11-10 in overtime at home to the Colorado Mammoth.

It’s been a long build to get back to this point for the Rush. After the club was on pace to make the playoffs in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season early and sent the organization into pause mode.

When lacrosse returned in 2022, the Rush missed the playoffs by one game with a record of 8-10. In 2023 and 2024 the Rush also finished with an 8-10 ticket and continued the trend of missing the playoffs by a single game.

Finally, after years of coming up short, the Rush have been able to put the pieces together, finishing 2025 with a 13-5 record – tied with the Buffalo Bandits for the best record in the league.

Jay Price is a Rush super fan and has been following the team since it started playing back in Edmonton. He said he’s relieved to see his favourite team finally making it back to the playoffs.

“It’s great. This team’s been really building something for a couple of years. It’s always frustrating to watch a good team miss the playoffs, but they’ve been doing all the right things – some great trades, great pickups, great drafting – and it’s finally paying off,” Price said.

Price said the Rush have been playing “absolutely amazing” lacrosse this season.

“When you’re leaving with win after win after win, it’s definitely a lot better experience,” Price said.

Because of the lack of success in the recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance at Rush games has dwindled from an average of 13,459 in 2019 to just 6,572 in 2025.

Although there’s been a significant drop, attendance numbers have bumped up a little bit at SaskTel Centre after the team’s recent wins. Price said he hopes a deep playoff run by the Rush can help bring fans back to SaskTel Centre en masse.

“I think people are realizing that the team is back,” Price said.

“The games are always entertaining regardless (of) how many people are there, but getting a full lower bowl and quite a bit of the upper deck being being sold is a much better experience.”

Excitement building within organization

Allison Hlday, the brand and promotions manager for the Rush, said lots of excitement is building ahead of the team’s first playoff game in six years.

“It’s incredible. We haven’t had a playoff game since 2019 and we’re excited to be back,” she said.

“The team feels ready, came out second in the standings overall, and we’re really showing the league what we’re made of this year.”

Hlday couldn’t say how many tickets have been sold ahead of Saturday’s game against the Swarm, but she said it’s an excellent opportunity to draw a big crowd.

“We only have nine games a season, so having this extra playoff game gives us another opportunity to get in front of fans and show them what our team is about,” Hlday said.

“Hopefully we’ll keep adding games here in the playoffs and get the province excited.”

“The more fans the better. The guys love to play in front of a loud crowd, and we’ll be making our best effort to make the noise for them and make sure they know the whole province is behind them.”

A win by the Rush on Saturday night would book Saskatchewan’s ticket to the semi-final next weekend against either Calgary or Halifax. The two sides would play a best-of-three series with the dates still to be determined.