Saskatchewan Rush rookie goaltender Kiazyk propelled by 1st NLL victory into San Diego [Video]

It took Saskatchewan Rush goaltender Thomas Kiazyk about six minutes to find his footing in his first National Lacrosse League start on Saturday at SaskTel Centre.

Peppered with early shots by the Albany FireWolves, the rookie Rush netminder allowed a flurry of goals to see the team fall into an early 4-0 deficit.

But as the game went along, Kiazyk was able to settle in, making 39 saves to earn his first professional lacrosse victory with a 17-13 win over the FireWolves.

“I feel like it all just came together,” said the 20-year-old Kiazyk. “It was really special and surreal in a way.”

Kiazyk was thrust into the net Saturday with starter Frank Scigliano departing the team for the birth of his first child.

Selected 20th overall in the 2023 NLL Draft, the Ontario product starred in the fourth quarter for Saskatchewan, stopping 12 of the 13 shots he faced to improve the Rush’s record …