Nobody knew what to expect when the Rush relocated from Edmonton to Saskatoon. After all, Saskatchewan was an untested lacrosse market.
But team’s owner Bruce Urban was confident fans in the province would embrace its new professional sports franchise.
“I would not be surprised if our attendance is averaging in the 11,000 area and our average ticket price will be about $35, a little bit more than junior hockey but these are the greatest players in the world,” Urban said in July 2015.
Over 9,000 fans packed into SaskTel Centre for the first-ever Saskatchewan Rush home game on Jan. 15. The building was electric.
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The Rush ended up losing their home opener but after the game the players couldn’t help but smile.
“I didn’t expect that at all … these guys picked up the game pretty good out there and it was loud and it was awesome. It’s a great crowd to play in front of,” said forward Mark Matthews.
The defending NLL champs went on to win seven of their next eight home games. With each victory, more and more fans started showing up to see what the Rush had to offer.
During the second last home game of the season the Rush made history. Nearly 15,000 spectators crammed into the arena on April 2, setting a new franchise attendance record.
It was the team’s first sell-out in Saskatoon.
Now the players are gearing up to give Saskatchewan its first taste of playoff lacrosse.
The Rush host Game 2 of the West Final against the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday night. A win for Saskatchewan would catapult them into the NLL Champion’s Cup Final.
Jack Haskins contributed to this story
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