CALGARY – Ben McIntosh scored four goals as the defending National Lacrosse League champion Saskatchewan Rush started off their post-season with a 16-10 victory over the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference final. The Rush, who moved to Saskatchewan from Edmonton in the off-season, lead the best-of-three series 1-0 with Game 2 taking place on May 21.
Should the Roughnecks win the second game, a 10-minute tiebreaker mini-game will be held immediately after the conclusion of the match.
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Nik Bilic, Mark Matthews, Robert Church and Chris Corbeil all had two goals apiece for the Rush, who got a bye through the first round of the playoffs. Brett Mydske, Jeff Cornwall, Jarrett Davis and Jeremy Thompson supplied the rest of the offence.
Curtis Dickson scored a hat trick for Calgary, which got two goals from Jeff Shattler. Wesley Berg, Reilly O’Connor, Tyler Digby, Jon Harnett and Dane Dobbie rounded out the attack.
Aaron Bold made 35 saves for the win in net as Mike Poulin kicked out 34-of-47 shots in 54:32 while suffering the loss. Frankie Scigliano came on in relief for the Roughnecks and stopped both shots he faced.
Saskatchewan converted twice on seven power plays while Calgary was 2 for 5.
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