It’s my Parting Shot to wonder aloud about the Saskatchewan Rush’s schedule for their upcoming best-of-three National Lacrosse League semi-final series with Halifax…..
Two things before I go any further. One, I trust Rush G-M and head coach Derek Keenan implicitly. Two, I checked on building availability over the next two weekends and it doesn’t appear as though anything is happening at SaskTel Centre or the Halifax Metro Centre to stop any possible scheduling format!
So…
Unless this has been mandated by the N-L-L, why are the Rush playing in Halifax this Saturday to start the best-of-three, when Saskatchewan was the second seed at the end of the regular-season and the Thunderbirds were third – as opposed to top-seeded Buffalo starting at home this Friday against fourth seeded Vancouver?!
To finish the scheduling before I get all fatalistic, Games 2 and 3 of the Rush-Halifax semi-final will be played Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th – the latter, if necessary, at SaskTel Centre. Meanwhile, Game 2 of the Buffalo-Vancouver series goes this Sunday at Rogers Arena with Game 3 back in Buffalo on Saturday the 10th.
So, again, as much as I respect Derek Keenan for all that he has accomplished with the Rush franchise specifically and in lacrosse in general, is this the right way to go in a best-of-three? If Halifax holds serve at home this Saturday, Saskatchewan has to come home and win twice the following weekend!!
Prevailing wisdom says the team with home floor, ice or field advantage wants to start a playoff series at home and get off to a strong start, thus putting the pressure on the team without home floor, ice or field advantage. To me, Buffalo is doing the right thing. They could win Friday at home, then overwhelm Vancouver on the road on Sunday and be done the series and have a couple of weeks to rest ahead of the league final against a team, either the Rush or Halifax, who will be coming off, in all likelihood, gruelling three-game set!!
Of course, it bears mentioning that Saskatchewan was 7-and-2 on the road this season, as opposed to 6-and-3 at SaskTel Centre! Maybe, Derek Keenan knows what he’s doing and I’m just blowing hot air – as per usual!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
