The Rush continued their late-season playoff push by knocking off Portland on Friday night, 11-10.
RUSH TAKE DOWN JAX IN 11-10 THRILLER
Levis stops 40 shots as Edmonton wins second straight game
04/03/2009
The Edmonton Rush came away with a thrilling victory on Friday night, keeping their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Portland LumberJax at Rexall Place by an 11-10 final. Forward Callum Crawford scored three goals and four assists for the Rush and teammates Jimmy Quinlan and Mike Hominuck each added two goals and four assists. Goaltender Chris Levis made 40 saves on 50 shots faced throughout the contest.In the second quarter, with just over seven minutes left in the period, LumberJax transition player Brodie Merrill gave Portland a three-goal lead, 6-3. Crawford and forward Dan Teat of the Rush scored the last two goals of the first half before Crawford came back and scored twice in the seventh minute of the third quarter, giving Edmonton a 7-6 lead.
Edmonton entered the fourth quarter with a one-goal lead, and Teat padded that margin by scoring twice in the first 4:21 of the final stanza to make the score 11-8. The Rush proceeded to go into a prevent-style defense, and the LumberJax took advantage with goals by forwards Cory Conway and Ryan Powell. Despite a flurry of shots by the Jax in the final minute of the game, including a laser by forward Pete Jacobs that rang off the pole, the Rush managed to hold on for an 11-10 lead.
Jax forward Peter Morgan scored two goals and three assists while Merrill contributed two goals, two assists and 11 loose balls for Portland. Goaltender Joel Weber allowed 11 goals and made 30 saves in his first career start.
Portland will head back home tomorrow to face the Colorado Mammoth in another West Division showdown. Meanwhile, Edmonton will try to win its third straight game as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Swarm.
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