MAMMOTH DEFEAT THE RUSH IN STYLE 2/11/16
By: Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth (5-2) hosted the world champion Saskatchewan Rush (3-2) at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on February 11, 2016 in front of a crowd of 10,841 fans. The Mammoth fans were glad to see their team back home after a three game road trip where the Mammoth went (1-2). This game was pivotal as the winner would take over first place in the Western Division. The victory was just the second of the last nine regular season games against the Rush. The Mammoth would also be without Dan Coates who was serving the second of his two game suspension for a high-sticking call; and without Adam Jones. The game was a nail biter as the Mammoth would go on to defeat the Rush in an aggressive game, Final Mammoth 9—Rush 7.
Starting off the game, the Rush came out strong with a goal from Brett Mydske six minutes into the period. The Mammoth actually had their first goal of the game taken away after a challenge flag by the Rush when the ball slipped past Dillon Ward in net, nullifying the goal that tied the game. Then five minutes later by Zack Greer. Joey Cupido from the Mammoth would score the first goal for the Mammoth unassisted with only 1:01 left in the period. There would be only one penalty in the first when Chris Wardle of the Mammoth was called for tw0-miute holding a stick at 8:09 in the quarter. Score at the end of the first Rush 2—Mammoth 1.
Heading into the second Colorado would be the first to get on the Board when Eli McLaughlin would score his first of the game only 2:23 into the period. Callum Crawford would break the tie two minutes later giving the Mammoth the lead (3-2). Seven minutes ticked off the clock as the Rush would keep the Mammoth away from the net and their shots on goal were low. But the Rush weren’t going to allow the Mammoth to keep the lead as Mark Matthews would score at 11:12 to break the tie; followed by Curtis Knight giving them the lead once again. We would see only two penalties in the second both by Ilija Gajic, one a two-minute holding stick at 2:10; and the second another two-minute delay of game at 9:59. The tension was high on the field and the fans were furious with what they believed should have been more penalties against the Rush. At the end of the first half the Rush were still up by the score 3-2.
At the start of the third, the Mammoth were on the floor with a vengeance when they went on an unanswered five goal scoring frenzy. The fans were pumped. They would see John Grant, Jr. score his first and only goal of the game at 4:32. Then Ilija Gajic would score only 12 seconds later, with his next goal coming two minutes later. Josh Sullivan would score at 5:52; followed by Chris Wardle at 10:20. The Mammoth held the Rush to no goals in the third. At this point, the Rush were shell-shocked; and Dillon Ward was on fire in net for the Mammoth. The only goal the Rush would see came from Ben McIntosh at 11:03. There were three penalties in the third: Two by the Mammoth with Greg Downing receiving a two-minute holding call only 39 seconds into the period; and John Grant, Jr. being hit with a holding stick at 9:09. The only Rush penalty would be called on Jarrett Davis with a two-minute too many men bench minor at 4:19. At the end of the third the Mammoth would take back the lead by the score of 8-5.
However, going into the final 15 minutes of regulation the Rush would not give up when they would come back with two unanswered goals bringing the game to within one (8-7). Robert Church would hit net 45 seconds into the period giving the Mammoth fans some concern; then Jarrett Davis would score his second goal of the game (also having scored the game-opener) less than two minutes later. But the Mammoth would not give up the game and Eli McLaughlin would come back four minutes later with the final goal of the game at 6:08. Ward was amazing in net as he kept the Rush from scoring with multiple amazing saves as he was pummeled in the final nine minutes of the game. The defense for the Mammoth held strong to protect their net-minder as well. There were a total of four penalties in the fourth quarter. Two for the Mammoth, coming from Creighton Reid with a two-minute holding 32 seconds in; and Callum Crawford another two-minute at 9:56 for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Rush would see John Lintz get hit with a two-minute roughing at 9:56; and Jarrett Davis would be called for the final penalty of the game with a two-minute too many men bench minor at 10:35. Final Score: Mammoth 9—Rush 7.
Being at the Pepsi Center watching the energy the fans bring to the Mammoth is amazing. The players were stoked to be back at home and wanted to give their fans an exciting game, and always the Mammoth come through to keep hold of first place in not only the Western Division but in the league.
MVP goes to Dillon Ward would play his 2,000th minute as a net-minder and his performance in the third and fourth quarters.
Game Stats:
Colorado Mammoth: 34 SOG; 18 SOFF; 64 LB; 10-20 on face-offs; .500 FO%, 2-3 PP
Saskatchewan Rush: 54 SOG; 20 SOFF; 66 LP: 10-20 on face-offs; .500 FO%, 3-5 PP
Goalie Stats:
Colorado Mammoth: Dillon Ward—60:00 minutes; 47-54 saves; .870 SV%; 7 GA
Saskatchewan Rush: Aaron Bold—59:13 minutes; 25-34 saves; .735 SV%; 9 GA
Saskatchewan Rush: Tyler Carson–.47 second; 0-0 saves; .000SV%; 0 GA
The Mammoth finally had a good combination taking the face-offs with Greg Downing going 6-13; and Ilija Gajic going 4-7. If they can continue to win face-offs; strength in the offense and defense; and stay strong in net, they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Next up, Colorado (5-2) heads to Calgary to face the Roughnecks (3-3) who are only 1.5 games back in the Western Division. This will be the first of three meetings between the two teams with the next also coming in Calgary on March 19 and the final on March 26 in Denver for Lacrosse out Cancer night.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
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