Rush looks to finish season strong, snag playoff spot

So you’re saying there’s a chance …

The Saskatchewan Rush (6-10) still has two games left in its National Lacrosse League regular-season schedule and needs to win both of them for a shot at the final playoff spot in the West Division.

The Rush has won two games in a row leading into the regular-season home finale against the San Diego Seals on Saturday. Game time at SaskTel Centre is 7:30 p.m.

Forward Robert Church says the team has a different feel under new head coach Jimmy Quinlan, who moved behind the bench April 2.

“Jimmy brings a lot of positivity, confidence and energy that I think the boys have been feeding off,” Church said.

“Jimmy’s got a long future ahead of him in this league as a coach and I think he’s going to have a lot of success. So far, the players love playing for him, he’s positive and keeps everyone upbeat.”

The Rush is trying to catch the Panther City Lacrosse Club (7-10) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West.

Saskatchewan also has to worry about several teams in the East Division that could potentially pass the Rush through the crossover.

However, Church says the players aren’t losing confidence in one another and still have a true belief in the locker room.

“Obviously, throughout the year some doubts creeped into our minds. If you look at our season, we’ve been a goal or two away from winning a lot more than we have,” Church said.

“It’s been a mental barrier that we haven’t been able to close out games.”

Church says if the team was to continue its winning streak into the playoffs, it would have just as good a shot as anybody to make a run.

“(We’ve) got to win these next two weeks and maybe we’ll have a chance to get in and surprise some teams,” he said. “I think we’d be a difficult out if we get in, especially after going on a little bit of a streak here to end the year.”

After hosting the Seals, the Rush is to close out the 2021-22 regular season on the road against Panther City in Fort Worth, Texas on April 30.