Dwelling with teammate Jake Boudreau this season in Saskatoon, it’s been a welcomed transition to the Prairies for Saskatchewan Rush sniper Zach Manns.
Despite the fact that it’s his roommate who’s controlling the aux twine each within the dressing room and on the way in which to observe, it’s a job as group DJ that Manns believes the Rush defender is getting higher at.
“That’s my roommate Jake Boudreau,” mentioned Manns. “I feel he’s been steadily bettering because the season has gone on.”
Whereas that development has been extra of a flat-line in keeping with Boudreau, the Rush have continued to climb up the Nationwide Lacrosse League standings with simply 4 video games remaining earlier than playoffs.
The Rush had been capable of formally clinch a playoff berth throughout their bye week, guaranteeing a spot within the NLL post-season for the 10-4 membership which hasn’t seen playoff lacrosse performed since 2019.
“We all know the Rush followers have been eager for a playoff recreation the previous few years,” mentioned Manns. “We’re excited to offer it to them. I feel it’s a whole lot of the blokes on our group’s first playoff recreation, so it’s an thrilling expertise for certain.”
In his second season with the Rush after being acquired in the summertime of 2023 as a part of a bundle for franchise legend Mark Matthews, Manns has settled into turning into one of many group’s prime offensive drivers in 2024-25.
All of the whereas taking over an added management function, a place which he feels extra comfy dealing with in his second season in Saskatchewan.
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“Off the ground in the beginning of the 12 months final 12 months I used to be a bit timid,” mentioned Manns. “I’m not the loudest man within the room, per se, off the bat, however I feel coming into this 12 months I already knew what I used to be getting myself into.
“I’ve made nice pals with everybody on the group, so I feel I’m extra of a vocal chief this 12 months which I’m glad to be.”
Rocketing to second place within the NLL standings, the Rush have performed in 9 video games determined by three targets or much less and have registered wins in six of these.
It’s one thing the group struggled with final season in keeping with Manns, now with a higher give attention to with the ability to churn out victories in tight contests with playoffs now approaching.
“We had so a lot of these losses,” mentioned Manns. “After some extent you simply resolve to not lose actually in these video games, you possibly can’t lose each single one, proper? I feel we’ve performed job of enjoying properly in these tight situations and people are experiences which might be going to repay within the playoffs. You don’t win by 10 within the playoffs, ever.”
Main the Rush with 30 targets and 59 factors in 14 video games, Manns is on tempo to interrupt his single-season profession mark of 37 targets which was set final 12 months with Saskatchewan.
It’s a good distance from the banks of the Pacific Ocean for the 26-year-old, who grew up in one of many meccas of lacrosse in Canada, discovering the sport in Victoria, B.C.
“Truthfully rising up in Victoria, it’s like just about each little child performs soccer and lacrosse,” mentioned Manns. “That was it, I began enjoying after I was 4.”
Manns ranks 14th within the NLL in targets this season and has turned that keenness into probably the most productive seasons for the Rush in current reminiscence, now making ready for the push to grab house flooring benefit within the first spherical of playoffs.
The Rush can transfer nearer to that purpose on Saturday night time internet hosting the Colorado Mammoth, who sit simply two wins again of Saskatchewan for second place.
“They’re a enjoyable group to play and I feel it’s going to be a high-powered recreation,” mentioned Manns. “I feel they’ve a whole lot of good shooters on offence, I feel now we have an important defence so I’m excited for that matchup.
“They’ve a world-class goalie in Dillon Ward who is rarely simple to attain on, so it’s going to be a problem however one we’re wanting ahead to.”
Saskatchewan and Colorado will renew hostilities on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at SaskTel Centre, kicking off a run of three house dates in 4 video games for the Rush to shut out the common season.
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