Mark Matthews leads Saskatchewan Rush to 16-8 win over Rochester

A sellout crowd of 15,000 people cheered on the Saskatchewan Rush as the team netted its first win of the 2017 National Lacrosse League season on Saturday.

Nixing a sluggish 0-2 start to the season, the two-year reigning league champions defeated the Rochester Knighthawks,doubling their score 16-8 in front of a full house at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.

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Mark Matthews had four goals and 11 points and BenMcIntosh had three goals and three assists.

Robert Church also scored three times and added two assists.RyanKeenanhad a goal and four helpers, Curtis Knight scored once andset up three more, while Jeff Cornwall, Chris Corbeil, Ryan Dilks andMatthew Dinsdale added the others for the Rush (1-2).

Saskatchewanwent six for eight on the power play while also holding Rochester to justtwo goals in the first half.

Dan Lomas led the Knighthawks (1-2) with a hat trick. JoeResetarits and Josh Currier both had a goal and three helperswhileGraeme Hossack, Dylan Evans and Quinn Powless added single goals toround out the attack.

Saskatchewan's Aaron Bold made 40 saves for the win. Matt Vinc stopped 37 shotsfor Rochester, which went onefor five with the man advantage.

The Rush win took place on the same night that the team's 2016 league championship banner was raised at the SaskTel Centre.