By: Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth (7-2) were coming off their bye week after having just defeated the Saskatchewan Rush on February 11. This would be the third of the four contests between the Vancouver Stealth (3-5) and the Colorado Mammoth. Prior to Saturday night’s game, the series was even with both games being played at the Langley Events Centre. But the Stealth had to come to the “Loud House” in the Pepsi Center and try to tip the series in their favor. There were 14,009 screaming Mammoth fans happy to see their team back in action and those fans were not to be disappointed. The game was everything the fans could hope for, non-stop excitement. Final Score: Colorado 11—Vancouver 10.
Colorado’s Jeremy Noble would be the first to hit net on an extra attacker (ea) situation (3:05) assist to Grant and this would be the Mammoth’s only goal until midway into the second. The Stealth halted the Mammoth’s offense with goals from Thomas Hoggarth (4:14); followed by back-to back goals from Logan Schuss (12:30 and 13:18). End of the first Vancouver would lead 3-1.
Rhys Duch would start the second off for the Stealth (2:36) assist to Garrett Billings. Schuss would get his third of the night giving him the hat trick (4:47); and their final of the second on a power play goal from Tyler Hass (6:26). Again the Mammoth would be held to one goal (short-handed) with John Grant, Jr. sending it between the pipes (8:07) assist to Creighton Reid. For the next seven minutes the fans would see spectacular net-minding; very little offense; but a mountain of penalties. There were three 5 minute majors in the second: Callum Crawford (Mammoth) for Boarding; Jeff Moleski (Stealth) Fighting; and Team Captain Dan Coates (Mammoth) Fighting. Heading into half-time Vancouver held the lead 6-2.
Going into the third, Duch would give the Stealth another point (1:16) followed by an unassisted bang-bang goal from Travis Cornwall. It was then that the Mammoth pulled starting net-minder Dillon Ward in favor of Alex Buque. Colorado would be the next to score with goals from Chris Wardle (7:00); and Noble with his second (10:24). But Duch would hit net for the third time (11:17) giving him a hat trick. The Mammoth were slowly chipping away at the lead, but the Stealth would continue to lead at the end of the third 9-4.
Although the game looked as though the Mammoth were extinct, picks and ball movement got them right back into the action. Adam Jones had a record breaking night which started with five unanswered goals and the defense only allowing the Stealth to score one final time in the fourth when Corey Small would send it past Buque (9:30). Callum Crawford would get his first of the night (10:56). There was a scary moment for Crawford when Jordan Durston would come across with an illegal cross check into the throat of Crawford which sent Durston to the box for the remainder of the game (five minute major). Then with only one second left on the clock, the game winning goal from Jones (ea) hit the net sealing the win. Not only did the final goal give him a sock trick on the night, but it also set the new NLL record for most goals by a player in the fourth quarter.
TRIVIA TIDBIT:
The Vancouver Stealth average more than twice as many penalty minutes per game (21:14) which is second in the NLL, while the Colorado Mammoth have the fewest with (10:25).
Game Stats:
Colorado Mammoth: 58 SOG; 26 SOFF; 57 LB: 7-25 face-offs; .280 FO%; 0-6 Power Plays
Vancouver Stealth: 43 SOG; 22 SOFF; 52 LB; 18-25 face-offs; .720 FO%; 2-3 Power Plays
Goalie Stats:
Colorado Mammoth: Dillon Ward—Minutes 31:26; 22 saves; 30 SOG; .733 SV%; 8 GA
Colorado Mammoth: Alex Buque—Minutes 28:34; 11 saves; 13 SOG; .846 SV%; 2 GA
Vancouver Stealth: Tyler Richards—Minutes 60:00; 47 saves; 58 SOG; .810 SV%; 11 GA
The key to the Mammoth victory can be attributed to their amazing attitude of never giving up; strong goal tending; and strength in their offense. At X they were lacking again winning only seven out of 25. Fortunately they were able to come away with the win and holding onto not only the lead in the Western Division, but the National League as well. Final Score: Colorado 11—Vancouver 10.
On Saturday March 5, Military Appreciation Night, Colorado (7-2) will play host to the leaders in Eastern Division New England Black Wolves (4-2). The Black Wolves will be coming off an amazing victory over the Swarm. It will be interesting to see which teams momentum is carried into next weekends contest.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
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