The Saskatchewan Rush have won the first game of the 2025 National Lacrosse League semifinals. At the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday, the Rush defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds 16-7.
The Rush leading scorer was forward Zach Manns of Victoria, British Columbia. He had nine points (two goals and seven assists). It was also a memorable game for forward Austin Shanks of Courtice, Ontario, who scored six times. The other Rush goal scorers were forward Brock Haley of Port Hope, Ontario (two goals), forward Robert Church of Coquitlam, British Columbia (two goals), transition player Mike Messenger of Surrey, British Columbia (one goal), forward Clark Walter of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (one goal), forward Ryan Keenan of Oshawa, Ontario (one goal), and defenceman Matt Hossack of Port Perry, Ontario (one goal).
The NLL semifinals are a best of three. The other two games between the Rush and Thunderbirds go this weekend. Game two is Saturday, and then game three is Sunday (if necessary). Both games are at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The other NLL semifinal series saw the Buffalo Bandits beat the Vancouver Warriors two games to none. The Bandits won game one of the series 9-3 in Buffalo on Friday night, and then 11-9 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday.
