Prout fires four-goals at Pepsi Center on his birthday

Denver -- The Edmonton Rush looked to Gavin Prout Saturday night and the former Mammoth captain stung his old team with a hat-trick in the first half and ended the night with five points (4G, 1A) as the Rush defeated Colorado 13-9 in National Lacrosse League action at the Pepsi Center.

Prout, who celebrated 32nd birthday Saturday night, was a force for the Rush as Edmonton made it three consecutive wins and earned their second road win of the season in Denver.

"It was a good birthday present for me," said Prout. "Anytime I can help contribute in a win with a few goals and lead by example is a good game."

"He finished the ball well and he's a great player and leader," said Rush head coach/GM Derek Keenan. "It was a great night for him."

Ryan Ward paced the Rush scoring with three goals and four assists and goaltender Matt Disher made 45 saves as the Rush improved to 6-3 on the season and matched their most wins in a season since the club's 6-10 record in 2007.

Ryan Powell (2G), Corey Small (1G, 1A) Jimmy Quinlan (1G, 1A) and Dane Stevens (1G, 1A) also scored for the Rush and Andy Secore dished out five assists.

Disher earned his sixth win of the season and faced 54 Colorado shots, including a barrage during numerous Mammoth man advantage situations in the second half.

"Matt Disher was huge," said Keenan. "When you have that many penalties you have to get goaltending and we got it tonight from Disher.

"This game could have been much different if it wasn't for his play and the effort from our penalty kill unit."

The Mammoth, who outshot Edmonton 54-50 in the game, fell to 2-6 in the standings and saw their home record go to 0-5 despite a five-goal performance from Alex Gajic (5G, 1A).

Prout earned boos less than one minute into the game after a skirmish with Colorado's John Gallant and then Prout opened the scoring for Edmonton on the power-play at 4:08, before Gajic responded for the Mammoth.

Rush then went on a two-goal run, started once again on the power play, as Powell tallied at 6:55 and then Ryan McNish scored his first goal of the season at 8:38.

Disher came up with some point-blank saves and then watched Ward score a highlight-reel goal with 23-seconds left to play in the first frame to put the Rush up 4-1 and then Edmonton improved their lead to 6-1 after goals by Quinlan and Prout, with his second on the night. Colorado fired back with the next three goals before Prout notched his hat-rick goal at 11:25 with the extra attacker on and then Powell ripped his second of the night, this one short-handed from long distance, with just eight-seconds in the half as Edmonton lead 8-4.

Ward fired two more Rush goals early the third quarter after Brian Langtry started the scoring with a Mammoth goal 1:17. With Edmonton up 10-6, a steady stream of Rush players to the penalty box saw the Mammoth capitalize just once and then Edmonton's penalty kill unit held tough the rest of the quarter.

Gajic then netted his third and fourth goals of the game in the fourth quarter before Edmonton's Stevens and Small responded back with goals 22-seconds apart to move Edmonton up 12-8

Edmonton returns home March 20 for a 7 p.m. start against the Boston Blazers at Rexall Place.

Rush mush: Rush power play went 3-5 and the penalty kill allowed two goals in eight attempts...Pat Jones, Chris McElroy, Dean Hill, Scott Tinning and Justin Norbraten did not dress.