Rush Advance, Set up 2016 Rematch
Saskatchewan Rush fans know as well anyone that leading by a goal with under ten seconds left does not mean the game is over. It’s been eight years since that infamous game agains the Swarm. In the 2025 NLL semi-finals, the result was different for the rush.
This time, the Rush were down by a goal, in fact they were down two goals with less than a minute to play. A Zach Manns goal got the Rush within one, then a miraculous diving check by Mike Messenger set up Matt Hossack for the game tying goal with just six seconds remaining in one of the most incredible finishes to a game you will ever see.
Saskatchewan now advances to the NLL Finals for the first time since 2018. The upcoming series against Buffalo will be a rematch of the 2016 NLL Finals which were won by the Rush.
Saskatchewan Rush 10 – Halifax Thunderbirds 9
Just like they have done all season, the Rush used balanced scoring, supplemented by goals from defenders, to lead themselves to victory. No player had more than 2 goals in the clinching game two. Austin Shanks was one of those, scoring twice including the crucial overtime winner.
That winner came on the powerplay, as Mike Robinson was called for a five minute boarding penalty. The Rush barely needed any of it, as Shanks took the pass from Church and buried an underhand shot into the bottom right corner.
Shanks has had an incredible playoff run so far this year. With 10 goals already, he is leading the entire league in goals this post-season, with most of them coming against his former team Halifax. He scored a career high 35 goals this year and has parlayed that into a career high in playoff goals as well.
For the Thunderbirds, it was a disappointing finish to an up and down year. Starting the year 0-3, they were one of the league’s best teams down the stretch. Dawson Theede led them in game two with 2 goals and 4 assists, while Thomas Hoggarth looked to be the hero with two late goals.
It was their second semi-final loss since moving to Halifax. They have not made the finals in that time.
Stat of the Game: The Rush have not gotten 11 goals from defenders in three playoff games, a huge reason for their playoff success.
Attendance: 5,982
Stay tuned to LCD for more coverage all week long ahead of the NLL finals and NCAA Tournament!
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