NLL Week 4: Saskatchewan Finally Avoids OT, Remains Perfect

It was a light four-game slate in the National Lacrosse League in Week 4, and entering the week, it might have been a good bet that Saskatchewan would have treated fans to bonus lacrosse.

The Rush have, at least, done that in each of their first two games. The Rochester Knighthawks nearly forced overtime, but Matt Hossack’s empty-net goal with 13 seconds left gave the Rush a two-goal cushion in a 14-12 win that pushes them to 3-0.

The Rush are one of four undefeated teams remaining in the NLL. They join Georgia (3-0), Calgary (2-0) and Buffalo (2-0).

Saskatchewan made it harder than it needed to be. The Rush led 13-7 with 10:40 left after Levi Anderson assisted Austin Shanks, but Rochester kept swinging by scoring five in a row, cutting it to 13-12 on Ryan Smith’s tally with 4:55 to play.

At least fans of the Rush can say their team is battle tested. It remains to be seen how valuable that will be after just three games, but the Rush have shown their mettle early on.

SWARM STAY UNBEATEN, TOO

The Swarm never exactly ran away from the San Diego Seals on Saturday, but a 4-1 advantage in the third quarter gave Georgia the necessary cushion to withstand some runs and hang on for an 11-8 win.

Bryan Cole scored on a power play with 13:04 left in the third quarter for a 5-4 lead, and Georgia led from there. Lyle Thompson pushed the lead to two a couple minutes later before Ryan Benesch netted the Seals’ only score of the quarter. Brendan Bomberry and Jordan MacIntosh extended Georgia’s lead to 8-5 entering the fourth.

Rob Hellyer and Ben McIntosh cut the lead to 8-7 to open the final quarter before Bomberry and Thompson pushed it back to three goals at 10-7.

RESATARITS CARRIES PHILADELPHIA

A casual 13 points from Joe Resatarits paced the Wings in an easy 15-9 win over Las Vegas. The Desert Dogs actually led 5-4 at the start of the second quarter, but Philadelphia scored the next four for an 8-5 advantage. The Wings outscored Vegas 11-4 after the 5-4 deficit.

MAMMOTH STOMP THUNDERBIRDS

Will Malcom scored four of his seven goals in the first quarter, and his game-high 10 points led the Colorado Mammoth in a 19-14 win over the Halifax Thunderbirds.

A five-goal second-quarter spurt pushed Colorado to an 11-5 lead, enough to keep some space between it and the potent Thunderbirds.