Another star, another win for Laker leader

Robert Church's second-half heroics helped the Saskatchewan Rush to its sixth straight National Lacrosse League win.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="400"] Robert Church is tied for third place in NLL three-star standings. Garrett James photo[/caption]

Church tallied his fifth hat trick of the indoor pro season, including a pair in the fourth quarter, in Saskatchewan's 12-11 victory in overtime over the Calgary Roughnecks last Saturday.

The win increases the Rush's record to 6-2 in the NLL West Division and a game-and-a-half over the 5-4 Colorado Mammoth.

Church's four-point night earned him the game's second star, his fourth three-star nod so far this season, leaving the nifty right-hander in a tie for third place overall among three star leaders.

The fourth-year pro has been dynamite for the Rush in the latter half of most games, scoring 14 of his 20 total goals this season in the final two quarters. Eight of Church's 14 second-half markers also came in the final frame.

Church continues to lead the league with 13 power-play goals and is currently in 11th place in overall scoring with 41 points. His .260 shooting percentage is also tops among the top-25 scorers.

Another Burnaby Lakers righty, Tyler Digby, matched Church's three-goal,one-assist output in the game and earned the game's third star for the Calgary Roughnecks.

In another Saturday matchup, Justin Salt had a pair of first-quarter counters and Matt Beers scooped up 10 loose balls for the Vancouver Stealth in a 12-8 loss at home. Salt is on form for a best-ever season with the Stealth with five goals and a career-high nine assists to date.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] Justin Salt is on pace for a career season with the Vancouver Stealth. Garrett James photo[/caption]

On Sunday, Eli McLaughlin had a six-point night to help lead the Mammoth to a 14-9 victory over the home New England Black Wolves. Ilija Gajic also had a goal and an assist for the winners.

McLaughlin moved into a tie for 14th place in NLL scoring with 15 goals and 21 helpers.