Defenseman Ryan McNish scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 2:59 remaining in regulation to lift the Edmonton Rush to an 11-10 victory over the Portland LumberJax before a crowd of 8,017 Friday night at Rexall Place.

McNish scored an unassisted goal, his only point of the game, as the Rush (1-1) rallied in the final five minutes. Portland led 10-9 after Cory Conway finished a pass from Brodie Merrill with 5:44 to play, but Edmonton answered when Ryan Benesch scored the equalizer just 1:16 later,

McNish’s goal capped a thrilling fourth quarter, which started even. Portland led 7-6, Edmonton led 8-7, and Portland led 9-8 and 10-9 before the Rush came back to win.

Dan Teat finished with a co-game-high six points on four goals and two assists, Benesch added three points on two goals and one assist and Scott Self had three points on a goal and two assists for Edmonton.

In a losing effort, Conway scored a goal and dished five assists, Ryan Powell had two goals and three assists and Peter Morgan registered two goals and one assist for Portland (1-3). Merrill dished three assists for the Jax.