The Saskatchewan Rush will start their quest for a third Champion’s Cup in four years on the road in December.
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) released its 2017-18 schedule on Friday.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush making off-season moves with eye to NLL expansion
The Rush will be in Toronto on Dec. 16 to take on the Rock in the season opener.
Rush Nation will get a chance to cheer on their team the following weekend, when the New England Black Wolves travel to Saskatoon for the Rush’s home opener on Dec. 23.
The game will mark the return of former Rush goalie Aaron Bold, as he plays his first game against his former teammates.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush trade Aaron Bold for New England Black Wolves goalie
Rush owner Bruce Urban said there is one goal this year.
“The fans in Saskatchewan are the best in the entire National Lacrosse League, and our goal this season is to bring the Champion’s Cup back to them,” Urban said in a statement.
“We have an outstanding roster of players and I have no doubt we can win the league title for a third time.”
The Rush will play 18 games, 10 against West Division opponents, including three against arch-rivals Calgary Roughnecks, including the season-ender at home on April 28.
Rush general manager and head coach Derek Keenan said although it will be tough to play five of the first seven games on the road, there is a silver lining to the schedule.
“Playing five of the first seven games on the road isn’t easy, but our guys will embrace it and hopefully get back to being a top road team,” Keenan said.
“I like the spacing of our home dates. The early start eliminated one back-to-back weekend for us and that’s a positive.”
Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public on Nov. 1
2017-18 Saskatchewan Rush schedule (all times CT):
Saturday, Dec. 16: Saskatchewan at Toronto, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 23: New England at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 6: Saskatchewan at Georgia, 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 13: Saskatchewan at Colorado, 8 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 19: Buffalo at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 27: Saskatchewan at Calgary, 8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2: Saskatchewan at Colorado, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 3: Vancouver at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10: Saskatchewan at Vancouver, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17: Saskatchewan at Rochester, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24: Calgary at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3: Vancouver at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 16: Saskatchewan at Buffalo, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 24: Rochester at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 7: Colorado at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 13: Saskatchewan at Vancouver, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: Georgia at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 28: Calgary at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.
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