Edmonton, AB-- A thank you note to BC Hydro from the Rush may be necessary after Brandon Atherton's performances last weekend.

The Rush netminder --- a general tradesman with BC Hydro, by day -- had his tool belt on in net last weekend as he built a wall up in back-to-back relief appearances against both Washington and Minnesota as the Rush clinched a post-season berth.

The Jack of all trades, primarily performing carpentry work for concrete forming, hopefully had his permits in place because he played a huge role backstopping Edmonton to two overtime wins.

Atherton, the 24-year-old from Prince George, B.C., has dressed all 13 games this year, however, it was his superb play in relief of starter Matt Disher last weekend that propelled Edmonton into a playoff position.

Atherton (2-1), allowed only eight goals-against in the two games and a spectacular .892 save percentage in victories over Washington and Minnesota that earned him defensive player of the week honours in the National Lacrosse League.

"That's two nights in a row that kid's come in and just completely closed the door," Keenan said of Atherton's performance as the goalkeeper held Minnesota to only three goals in the second half the night after he and the Rush edged the Washington Stealth 14-13 in overtime.

"That was huge for our team," said Atherton of the wins. "It was a great feeling coming in and getting our team to the playoffs.

"It was real exciting," added the six-foot, 190-pound netminder. "I had a lot of fun coming in and getting some minutes in. It was a good feeling to know the team has confidence in me and now they can be confident if it's me or Disher in net."

Atherton, who appeared in six games with the Rush last season, has emerged as a legitimate netminder with his play this season.

"I'm feeling it," he said. "I'm really comfortable with my game style right now and where I am in the net."

Drafted by Arizona and signed as a free agent with the Rush in 2009, Atherton has allowed only 20 goals in 143 minutes for a tidy 8.41 GAA and .826 save percentage this year.

And available on demand like last weekend -- with his lights-out 5.45 goals against average -- should he get the call.

"Dish is our No. 1 guy," said Keenan on his goalie situation. "The nice part about the whole scenario is that we have a lot of confidence in Brandon. There was some uncertainty there as he hadn't played a lot of minutes in the NLL. Now we're in a position where we have confidence in him. We have three games left and chances are one of those three games he will start."

So, will Atherton be upset at not getting the bulk of action down the stretch?

"Not at all," he said. "It really isn't a factor right now. I'm going to be prepared whether I'm getting the start or on the bench. In this league you have to be ready to go at all times and have your head in the game and ready to go whatever the role."

That's the uncertainty of the backup netminder role: not knowing when you get your next game action.

The key, according to Atherton, is to stay mentally prepared.

"When I was younger it was a bit of a process figuring it out, but as I've grown, you know you have to be mentally prepared and ready to go all the time," he said.

Next up for Atherton and the Rush is a home contest against the Colorado Mammoth Friday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at Rexall Place.

With several story-lines centred around the game already, the most prominent is Edmonton's been victorious in six of their last seven games and tied for first place with Washington in the NLL's West Division with identical 9-4 records.

A win this Friday versus Colorado combined with a Calgary loss on Saturday would clinch a home playoff date for the Rush, while the Mammoth, at 3-9 and still in the hunt for post-season play, would see any playoff dreams come to an end with a loss this weekend in Alberta.

"I think if we can host a playoff game that's a huge advantage in our league," said Atherton, who'll face former Rush netminder and Coquitlam Adanac teammate Chris Levis this weekend.

"However, those are the most dangerous teams and most dangerous times when you're playing teams in the basement.

"They can sting you if you're not prepared. I can guarantee you we'll be 100 percent ready to take on a struggling, but hungry team."

As long as he keeps the tool belt handy.

by Bruce Rakoczy