Last Saturday represented a monumental happening in the history of Saskatchewan Rush lacrosse, when the Saskatoon-based franchise captured their first playoff victory, dating all the way back to 2018, the very same season the club secured the NLL Cup for the second time in three years.
The green and black’s 13-9 triumph over the Georgia Swarm sets up a fascinating semifinal matchup between the 13-5, second-seeded Rush and the 11-7, third-seeded Halifax Thunderbirds. While still possessing the homefield advantage in the series, SSK will make the 1,749-mile (3,239 Km) voyage to Nova Scotia for Game 1, with the best-of-three returning to SaskTel Centre for Game 2 and 3 (if necessary).
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Ottawa Black Bears at Sask Tel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, April 19, 2025
Rewinding back to last weekend’s opening round conquest, in a remarkable turn of events, the man whose moniker was plastered within the very upper reaches of the scoring summary did not go by the surname of Shanks, Manns or Church. Instead, it was loose ball extraordinaire Jake Boudreau who stole the show for the victors, scoring 4 of his team’s 13 goals, while adding an assist to Jake Naso in the process. While Boudreau finished fourth in the NLL with 159 loose balls, the 26-year-old only scored 10 goals during the entirety of the recently completed regular campaign.
When attempting to pinpoint what magic formula may have led to the third-year player notching 40 percent of his 2024-2025 scoring output within the course of a single solitary contest, Boudreau kept the explanation on the unassuming side.
“It was just kind of the way it played out. Sometimes I have more chances than others, and sometimes I score on my chances more than in other games. I had both going on that night,” reckons Boudreau.
Activating in a similar manner to the way in which he pursues a loose ball, the Robert Morris alum was equally as agile when turning his attention to the joy that was felt by those with whom he has the privilege of sharing a jersey with.
“It was a special feeling. I care about this team so much, and the guys in the locker room,” exclaims the former Northeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll selection. “Being able to contribute and help push the team in the right direction to the next round. I think everyone had a great feeling after the game, because there were really 17 guys who had a great night, and it showed in the way we played out there.”
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Georgia Swarm at Sask Tel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, April 26, 2025
Boudreau’s unwavering belief in his teammates exists well beyond the good vibes that naturally materialize in the wake of a playoff victory. For the seventh pick in the 2021 draft, the makeup of this season’s roster stands alone in the hugely important characteristic known throughout the universe as camaraderie.
Per the righty transition man, this brotherhood of box lacrosse talent operates in a galaxy all its own.
“I’ve been on many teams in my life, some more serious than others,” opines the Brampton, Ontario native. “With this team it feels like a celebration every time we get together. At Friday night practice and/or Saturday shootarounds it’s always an event with this group. It’s so much fun going to the rink with these guys. That’s something I feel really good about.”
Boudreau serves as a true jack of all trades for the Rush, getting his number called in a myriad of prodigious game situations including that of faceoffs, penalty kills and end-of-quarter sequences. If there is dirty work to be done, or intangibles in need of a satisfying result, the men in charge frequently turn their gaze at number 43.
“Jake brings tremendous energy and intensity every shift he steps on the floor,” bestows Rush general manager/co-head coach Derek Keenan. “When you combine that with top-level athleticism and skill, you have a complete lacrosse player. He thrives on the hard work parts of the game. He also brings an infectious positive personality to our locker room.”
Boudreau’s first two years in the prairies culminated in identical 8-10 records and a subsequent lack of an invite to the postseason. After back-to-back seasons of running fast, but making zero progress, 2024-2025 has been a revelation at SaskTel, with the Rush flipping the script and finishing tied with the Bandits for the best mark in the league.
While Keenan and the Rush brass have been nothing short of boisterous when crooning their admiration of Boudreau, when it comes to the sudden infusion of talent that now surrounds the transition standout, the loose-ball lion remains in awe of the work being done by the men in suits.
Playoff Boudreau (x4) pic.twitter.com/Udm8WOzPO2
— Saskatchewan Rush (@SaskRushLAX) April 29, 2025
“It’s been really cool to see the two ways of development with the players that have been around, wising up over the years, getting a little bit faster and sharper,” denotes Boudreau. “Then you see what Derek Keenan and Jimmy Quinlan (co-head coach/associate general manager) do with bringing in guys like Frank Scigliano, Matt Hossack, Zach Manns, Austin Shanks and Jake Naso, among others. We’ve gotten better players, and the players that we still have are getting better as well. It’s been the perfect time for us.”
Looking ahead to their battle with the Thunderbirds, no matter what side of the boards one may conduct business, both coach and player are of the same point of view when the topic of reigning transition player of the year, Jake Withers, presents itself in a scouting report or film session. The league leader in loose balls and faceoff wins presents an enormous challenge to the Rush in the franchise’s quest for a championship round appearance.
For the gents drawing up the game plan, one particular area of importance looms extra-large.
“Withers is not only a great faceoff man, but an all-around great player,” analyzes Keenan. “Skilled in transition and an excellent, physical defender. I think first and foremost is doing our best to not get scored on off faceoffs. They can be killers, so we will try to eliminate that part of Halifax’s game.”
When discussing the Withers/faceoff theme, Boudreau puts his faith in a Rush running mate who finished seventh in the department of competency at the dot.
“Withers definitely makes a big impact on the game. It’s a good thing we got Jake Naso now to counteract and limit his impact, potentially swinging more possessions our way. Halifax is a pretty lethal team in the middle of the floor, with a good handful of capable guys,” calculates Boudreau.
The drama begins Saturday night in downtown Halifax! Buckle up!
