Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
Saturday night was ‘Lacrosse Out Cancer’ and 15,303 fans watched the Colorado Mammoth (10-7) host the New England Black Wolves (8-8). The Mammoth already have second place in the West Division locked up, and with a win or loss they would remain there. In fact, they are already scheduled to host the first-round matchup on May 5. Things are entirely different in the East. The Black Wolves are in the middle of a division that is separated by less than two games from first to last. Every game is a must win if they expect to make the playoffs. The Black Wolves jumped out to an early lead, and with stellar defense and a huge game from Kevin Crowley, they were victorious for the second week in a row. Final Score: New England-10, Colorado-6.
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The first minute of the opening quarter set the tone for the entire night. Colorado had the first possession, but the active New England defense did not allow an inch. As the Black Wolves offense settled into the zone, Stephan Leblanc (1G, 1A) was left wide open in front. The pass from Johnny Powless (2A) was finished for a goal on their first shot of the game. The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the visitors for almost five minutes. It took a long outlet pass from Jordan Gilles (1A) to a streaking Brad Self (2G) for Colorado to find a good opportunity. Left one on one with Aaron Bold, Self easily tied the game. Again, both defenses would step up and a scoring drought would follow. This time it was New England busting free. Kevin Crowley (5G, 1A) forced an errant pass from goaltender Dillon Ward that ended up in a turnover just over the mid line. Some quick passing got the ball back to Crowley and he scored from the crease with 5:20 left in the quarter to give the lead back to the Black Wolves. Just over a minute and a half later, Crowley again found the net and the Black Wolves led 3-1 with under five minutes to play. With 14 seconds left, the Black Wolves gained possession and called timeout. With the extra attacker on, Kyle Buchanan (1G, 3A) snuck into the middle and scored on the assist from Reilly O’Connor (4A) with just one second on the clock. At the end of the first quarter, New England led Colorado 4-1.
Colorado started quickly in the second quarter. Self scored just 1:04 in with a ridiculous backhand shot after he spun around a defender in transition. But, New England answered with a transition goal of their own just over a minute later. Mark Cockerton (1G) played give and go with Powless on an odd man rush, catching the ball and stopping on a dime just outside the crease. With his choice of corner, he chose stick side and suddenly New England was back to a three-goal lead. Just under two minutes later, Eli McLaughlin
(1G, 2A) caught a deflection in the middle of the Black Wolves defense and had enough room to throw a few fakes before putting the ball in the net, continuing the back and forth. Keeping in fashion, New England scored next. Crowley ran off the bench, catching a pass from O’Connor and unloaded a cannon as no defender picked him up. His first half hat trick put New England up three goals again with 5:36 left in the half. Neither team could find an opening before the break. Both defenses clogged the passing lanes, and both goalies made outstanding saves. At halftime, New England led Colorado 6-3.
It took over ten minutes for the first goal to come in the second half. There were opportunities, but nothing could find the net. An early Colorado shot did get by Bold, but after a review it was over turned. Early in the third quarter, Colorado even had a five on three opportunity with two New England defenders in the box, but Bold made huge save after huge save. Finally, 10:02 into the second half, 15:38 after the last goal, Colorado’s Joey Cupido (1G) cut the home team deficit to two with a transition goal. Clearly putting the team on his back, Crowley answered 51 seconds later, scoring his fourth of the game from the doorstep. Every time Colorado hoped to start a run with a good goal, New England seemed to have an answer. Jacob Ruest (1G) tried to spark something, getting the Mammoth back to within two again 20 seconds after the Crowley goal, but three minutes later Callum Crawford (1G, 2A) made sure the lead was preserved. 16 seconds later, Adam Bomberry (1G) extended that lead to four goals with a transition goal right off the faceoff. At the end of the third quarter, New England led Colorado 9-5.
Only 56 seconds into the fourth quarter, Cockerton was assessed a two-minute penalty for an illegal cross check. Jeremy Noble (1G, 2A), who had been kept in check all night scored just 16 seconds into the man advantage and it looked like the Mammoth were on the right foot to mount a comeback. Under a minute after the Noble goal, an illegal substitution penalty was assessed during a New England breakaway and a penalty shot was awarded. Crowley took the shot, but Ward did not bite for any of the fakes and it was unsuccessful. The defenses took over from there. Colorado did an excellent job holding off the Black Wolves attack, but they also couldn’t find good opportunities on the offensive end. The score remained 9-6 in favor of New England until the last minute of play. Crowley scored his fifth of the night with his patented step back and it essentially ended any chance of Colorado coming back. Final Score: New England-10, Colorado-6.
Up Next:
The New England Black Wolves (8-8) travels to play the Rochester Knighthawks (9-7) on Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 PM EST.
The Colorado Mammoth (10-7) enjoy a week off before hosting the Toronto Rock (7-9) on Saturday. April 28 at 9:00 PM EST.
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome