Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Colorado Mammoth (9-8) headed up north to Langley Events Centre to face their Western Division rivals the Vancouver Stealth. It was Black Out Night for the Stealth and they were prepped and ready to face the Mammoth in the hopes of winning the Best of Four game series against the Mammoth. This game was pivotal for both teams as a win by the Mammoth would clinch a first round at home play-off game; and a win by the Stealth would send them to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Heading into tonight’s game, the Mammoth have struggled against Western Division teams with a record of 3-6, while the Stealth has dominated against the West 6-4. Unfortunately for the Mammoth, Vancouver brought their “A” game and would go on to defeat Colorado by the score of 13-7.
Colorado came out of the gates firing with two goals within the first five minutes of play. Greg Downing would score first followed by Chris Wardle on the extra attacker. Vancouver would hit back with a nice shot from Corey Small to put them to within one. 
Six minutes would tick off the board while the fans watched the ball move up and down the field before veteran Callum Crawford would have another amazing jump shot to put the Mammoth back up by two. Vancouver would close out the quarter with Rhys Duch scoring and only 47 seconds remaining. Shots on goal were in favor of the Mammoth 13-12. Score at the end of one: Mammoth 3—Stealth 2.
Vancouver would continue scoring into the second going on a five goal run. Peter McFetridge with one; Logan Schuss would notch three for the hat-trick (power-play goals at 10:15 and 11:27); and Corey Small with his second on the game would get his 100th point of the 2017 season. Eli McLaughlin would close out the half on a power-play for the Mammoth. Shots on goal were in favor of the Stealth 16-13. Score at the end of the first half: Vancouver 7—Colorado 4.
Colorado came out of the locker room looking to go ahead as they’ve done so many times in the past. Crawford would hit twine first only 1:44 in; followed by Jeremy Noble on the power-play at 2:59. But Small would send another past Ward two minutes later. Brad Self recently acquired by the Mammoth would put the final point on the board for Colorado at 8:13. This would be it for the Mammoth as Vancouver wouldn’t allow another goal by the Mammoth for the remainder of the game. James Rahe; Thomas Hoggarth; and rookie Evan Messenger with a highlight reel goal 
would close out the third. The Mammoth would dominate in shots on goal 19-13, but the Stealth made their shots count. Score at the end of three: Stealth 11—Mammoth 7.
The game was in the bag for the Stealth, but they dared not to let up with the powerhouse of offensive players on the Mammoth squad. It was track meet in the fourth with only two goals going up on the board, the first from Duch at 4:58; and the final of the game an unassisted empty-netter by Justin Salt at 10:45. The Mammoth would be shut out in the fourth. Final Score: Vancouver 13—Colorado 7.
The Mammoth were disheveled on transition; only 2-8 on power-play opportunities; and just didn’t play good defense. While the Stealth played strong organized ball. Although the face-offs won were even at 12 apiece, Colorado looked better in the other categories—59 to 51 SOG and 69 to 45 LB. This game had more penalty minutes than game time at 90 minutes; 
one fight in the first quarter; two fights within the last 30 seconds, and almost a third. Tempers flared along with frustration on the Mammoth bench.
What does this mean for the Mammoth? Next week’s game against their Western Division rivals the Saskatchewan Rush (11-5) is a must win if the Mammoth want to take second place in the West and play at home in the first round of the playoffs. The Rush lead the series 2-1 and have clinched the Western Division and a first round bye for the playoffs.
Vancouver heads to New England to face the Black Wolves (8-9) on Saturday April 29. The only team in the Eastern Division to have clinched a playoff spot is the Georgia Swarm who have also won the division. So this is a must win game for both teams as playoff implications weigh heavily on its outcome.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Colorado Mammoth
Lacrosse is Awesome