Just under one month ago, the Vancouver Stealth and the Edmonton Rush both sported 4-4 records and a share of top spot heading into that weekend's clash.
But the two National Lacrosse League rivals have gone in opposite directions since that game, with the Rush winning five straight and the Stealth dropping five consecutive games.
The teams battled over the weekend in a National Lacrosse League home-and-home series, with the Rush prevailing 15-14 in overtime in Edmonton on Friday night before taking the return engagement 17-10 on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.
With the wins, Edmonton (9-4) — as well as second-place Colorado (8-6) — have clinched playoff spots while Vancouver (4-9) tries to hold off Calgary (4-10) for the third and final playoff spot in the NLL's West Division.
"We made quite a few mistakes," said Stealth coach Dan Perreault.
"We gave up three goals in the first half because of no clock awareness. We have to be aware of the clock; those goals will kill you."
He was referring to three separate occasions when Edmonton had just a few seconds until the shot clock expired and the Stealth let them get a shot off from long range, which found its way to the back of the net.
This included a goal at the very end of the first quarter, when only one second remained, to break a 2-2 tie. The Stealth did tie things up at four early in the second quarter, but Edmonton tallied four times to close the period and led 8-4 at the half.
"We got into a bit of a lull, fell back a couple of goals and could never get over that hump," said the Stealth's Logan Schuss, who made his Vancouver debut after being acquired earlier in the week.
"Edmonton's a great team, and when you get down to them, it's tough to come back."
In Friday's game, Vancouver led 7-3 at the half before the Rush stormed back to tie the game at 10 after three quarters. And Edmonton pulled ahead 13-10 early in the third before the Stealth rallied with four of the final five goals, including Corey Small's tally with seven seconds to play in regulation.
And jubilation was short-lived, however, as Zach Greer struck on the first shot of sudden-death overtime 45 seconds in.
Small finished with four goals and six points, while Schuss had a great Stealth debut, scoring on his first shot and finishing with two goals and six points.
Rhys Duch (two goals, six points), Joel McCready (three goals) and Tyler Digby (two goals, two assists) also had big games for the Stealth.
The Rush were led by Greer (four goals, six points), Mark Mathews (three goals, four points) and Robert Church (two goals, six points).
Church followed that up with five goals and nine points the next game.
Stealth rookie goaltender Eric Penney started both games after starter Tyler Richards was placed on the 10-day injury list prior to the weekend.
Penney had 39 saves the first night and then another 50 in game two.
"Yesterday we had more intensity," he said.
"Things were clicking, we got on some good runs. Tonight, when we got on those runs, they would answer back and we didn't get those stops."
"Penney played a solid game last night and tonight," Perreault said.
"He made the first save and we didn't box out and they (Edmonton) got second and third chances."
Small led the team with three goals and five points while Schuss had a pair of goals and three helpers in Saturday's loss.
The Stealth will look to snap their skid as they play a pair of road games this weekend, Friday in Toronto against the NLL-leading Rock (11-4) and Sunday in Uncasville, Conn. against the New England Black Wolves (4-8).