EDMONTON - They may be a win away from the National Lacrosse League final, but as far as the Edmonton Rush are concerned, they may as well be light years from it.
Heading into their semifinal against the Washington Stealth on Saturday, the Rush are solely focused on the task at hand and not on what may lay beyond.
“Not at all, they’re pretty focused on just this weekend right now,” said Rush head coach and general manager Derek Keenan. “I thought we were a little bit like that earlier in the season, but we’ve seemed to overcome that, and just kind of approach each week as it comes.
“This week, obviously, is a good opportunity for us to get in the championship game and that’s how you look at it. You don’t look beyond that and I don’t think anybody would really. We’re looking at one thing and that’s getting in and playing well in Washington on Saturday.”
A victory over the Stealth would put the Rush into the NLL championship game against the winner of the Toronto Rock and Orlando Titans' contest.
The Rush will know who their opponent would be by the time they hit the floor against the Stealth at the Key Arena in Seattle.
They’ll either be looking at a road trip to Orlando or a home date against the Rock.
“I think we’d be foolish to look too far ahead, Washington is too good,” said Rush forward Ryan Ward. “In a one-game series, you can’t afford to do that.
“Personally, I haven’t even thought about the championship game. We have to concentrate on trying to get through Washington, and go from there. “Veterans or no veteran, it would be foolish for us to get ahead of ourselves.”
derek.vandiest@sunmedia.ca
