NLL: Rush vs Black Wolves
I had the opportunity to photograph (and attend) my first National Lacrosse League game Saturday, April 15, shooting for The Saskatchewan Rush and GetMyPhoto.ca. The reigning NLL Champs took on second in the East, New England Black Wolves.
It was Canadian Pride Night as the Rush took to the field in their special edition Canada 150 jerseys with their sights set on clinching the 1st spot in the West.
The Sask Crush Dancers also had special edition shirts and DJ Anchor had Canadian artists blasting through the stadium all night long. The crowd took over the Canadian National Anthem with great pride as the mic was raised to the stands after the first verse.
Following the ceremonial ball drop by an RCMP, the game was off to a fast start of hard hitting and quick scoring lacrosse action with Saskatchewan leading 4-2 at the end of the 1st quarter.
The second quarter continued in the same light with fans still engaged from the moment they stepped in the building, never missing a cue to chant, cheer, or pound their fist against their chest after a goal. Rush kept up their two goal lead entering half time with a 6-4 score.
Indigenous dancers, drummers, and singers from the Saskatoon Public School Division took over the field at half time to perform and beautifully showcase another aspect of Canadian Culture.
Both Rush and the Black Wolves came back in full force after half, but Rush secured a 10-8 advantage entering the final quarter.
With 2 minutes left in the game and Rush now leading by 3, a few more empty chairs started to pop up throughout the arena as fans ducked out early to beat the traffic. But with the help of an extra man from a pulled goalie, the Black Wolves closed the gap to 1 point with just under a minute remaining.
The entire stadium was on their feet when New England tied things up with 8 seconds left but they didn't sit down as the game entered sudden death overtime.
Saskatchewan worked to kill 2 penalties in the first 3 1/2 minutes of OT. The shift in play every 30 seconds from 5 on 5, to 5 on 4, to 4 on 4, to 4 on 3, back to 4 on 4 and then 5 on 4 was an added dynamic that kept everyone on edge.
Still with a one man advantage, New England Captain Shawn Evans ended it all after 3 minutes and 17 seconds of overtime.
The Rush players saluted their supporters who cheered loudly for their favourite team in the NLL despite their first home loss of the season.
The excitement wasn't over after the final whistle, however, as young fans gathered on the field to meet some of their local lacrosse legends.
Check out my full gallery of the game below. Click an image to enlarge. All Photos shot for Sask Rush and GetMyPhoto.ca.