Rush leading scorer faces former mates

Edmonton -- Ryan Ward definitely has the home carpet advantage this Saturday.

The Rush forward should be comfortable with most of the players around him and on both benches as he faces his old mates from the Minnesota Swarm for the first time since his multiplayer trade to Edmonton from Minnesota last July.

Now in his eighth NLL season, Ward's found his offensive game with Edmonton to lead the Rush in scoring with 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 10 games and the playmaker brings skill and athleticism to the Rush offense.

Ward, the five-foot-nine, 190-pound Victoria, B.C. product, has consistently been in top 20 in NLL scoring this season with the Rush and is on pace for his fourth 60-plus point campaign.

"I'm happy to play in Edmonton, really," said Ward, acquired from Minny along with Scott Stewart and what turned into Corey Small for Ryan Benesch, Scott Self and a 2009 first-round pick.

"Obviously, it was nice to play in Minnesota and I enjoyed my time there, however, it was time for a fresh start."

Now Ward, three points shy of 400 in his NLL career going into Saturday's matchup against the Swarm, has enjoyed a bit of a bounce back season with Edmonton this year after a 56-point performance in 2009.

"The main difference for me is the coach. Derek Keenan's been great," said Ward of Edmonton's head coach/GM.

"He's exactly what I look for in a coach. "He's positive and a great communicator. He believes in me and the team and I think that goes a long way and I believe that's something that was needed and lacking."

Ward, who's racked up 397 points in 101 NLL games and had a career-best 75-points in 2007, has put impressive numbers up in his Rush uniform this year, highlighted by points in all 10 Edmonton games and an eight point (4 goals and 4 assists) performance in a win over Buffalo in January.

"I owe a lot to Derek for helping get back on the track," the 29-year-old right-handed shot said. "It's good to be where I am and I'm happy about it."

Ward is a high-end offensive player, who can run the power-play, as well as provide leadership and veteran presence to the Rush squad.

"Ryan's a very smart player," said Keenan. "I've been very impressed with him.

"He's been good there's no question."

The Rush, unfortunately were not near good last weekend, coming off a difficult 12-5 loss to Boston that halted Edmonton's three game win streak and home unbeaten mark.

Boston held Edmonton to a season-low five goals scored in the contest and the loss dropped them to 6-4 on the season and a second place tie with Calgary (6-4) in the West Division.

"Last weekend we definitely laid an egg, to put it mildly," said Ward, who had two assists and 14 shots in the loss. "We didn't come out with the effort and it was pretty evident they won all the little battles and played hungrier. It seemed like they wanted it more."

Now, Ward and the Rush squad will have the opportunity for home carpet redemption Saturday as Minnesota makes their first and only visit to Rexall this year.

For Ward, who spent five seasons in Minnesota and still lives there, faces his old club in a key divisional matchup in Edmonton.

"I've been looking forward to playing Minnesota for a while now," said Ward, a two-time NLL all-star. "I'm not going to put any more pressure on myself. I just want to go out and compete each shift and if I help our team and contribute in the win, I'd be very happy.

"Obviously, I'd be lying if I said this game," he hesitated. "I just want to give it my best effort, let's say that." Keenan doesn't expect much different from his leading scorer Saturday, though.

"I'm sure he'll be excited. Most players are when they play their former teams," he said of Ward. "Most players feel they have something to prove, but, I don't expect him to get too caught up in it though."

These teams will be up close and personal in the next two weekends as Ward and the Swarm meet again next weekend in Minnesota for a return match April 3 at Xcel Energy Center.

"These are very important games in the standings and more important than me versus the Swarm," Ward said. "I'm excited, though. I think it'll be great (playing old mates). And we'll see that a couple of times coming up."

Story by Bruce Rakoczy