By: Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth (1-0) faced the Rochester Knighthawks (0-0) on Saturday January 9, 2016 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester in front of 7,982 fans. The Knighthawks were hoping for a victory in their home and season opener, but the Mammoth would put a halt to those hopes with a come from behind scoring barrage to defeat Rochester by the score of 16-14.
Rochester held the Mammoth scoreless in the first quarter, scoring four times. Cody Jamieson would score 19 seconds into the quarter, followed by Jordan Hall. There would be several minutes before the Knighthawks would score again, when Dan Dawson would hit net unassisted at 9:30 on the clock. The final goal of the quarter would come 90 seconds later when Cory Vitarelli would get his first of three goals in the game with the assist going to Jordan Hall. At the end of the first quarter, Rochester would lead 4-0.
Heading into the second, Colorado was on fire scoring five unanswered goals with Jeremy Noble putting the first of five on the board only 32 seconds in the quarter. The Mammoth would see Adam Jones and Callum Crawford both score two taking the lead 5-4. But Jamieson would tie the game at 9:40 with his second in the contest. This would be the last time the game would be tied and Rochester would not take the lead again throughout the game. The Mammoth however, wouldn’t let that last when they would hit net four times. Noble with his second in the quarter; Chris Wardle and Eli McLaughlin who would extend the lead yet again with the final goal of the half. Colorado would take the lead 9-5.
Going into the third, Reid and McLaughlin would hit net again quieting the Rochester fans. Although the Knighthawks would outscore the Mammoth 3-2, all three unanswered goals, they couldn’t put together enough offensive action to overtake Colorado. At the end of the third, Colorado would still hold the lead 11-8.
The fourth quarter was a different story however as the Knighthawks would outscore the Mammoth 6-5. John Grant, Jr., was held scoreless until the fourth, which is a tough task by any team. The Mammoth also would see Crawford get his third for a hat-trick; Adam Jones his third and fourth; and Robert Hope with his first. Rochester would see Graeme Hossack get his second of the game with Vitarelli and (D) Dawson getting their third giving each of them a hat-trick. Stephen Keogh would score twice and Joe Resetarits would get his only goal of the game. Dillon Ward was spectacular in net keeping the Knighthawks at bay. Final Colorado 16—Rochester 14.
Game Stats:
Mammoth: 49 SOG; 23 SOFF; 84 LB; 17-34 Face-offs; 3 PPG; 1 SHG; and Dillon Ward would have a .702 SV% (33-47)
Knighthawks: 47 SOG; 21 SOFF; 82 LB; 17-34 Face-offs; and Matt Vinc would have a .673 SV% (33-49)
The Mammoth were three for five on power plays with Rochester 0-2. Penalty minutes Mammoth with four; and Rochester with 10.
Colorado (2-0) will face the Buffalo Bandits (1-o) on Saturday January 12, 2016 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Buffalo is coming off an exciting nail-biter victory over the Calgary Roughnecks and the Mammoth want to go 3-0 on the season. The question is who wants it more? We shall see.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
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