Mammoth Break Home Losing Streak

Image via Wikipedia

  Leading up to the National Lacrosse League trade deadline, things were pretty quiet overall… and then the Colorado Mammoth made some moves. They reacquired former captain Gavin Prout from the Edmonton Rush, and Joel Dalgarno and Ian Hawksbee from the Washington Stealth.

Although the Prout trade got the most coverage, Dalgarno had the bigger impact… unless of course you do believe there really was a Prout curse.  The Mammoth haven’t won a home game since Gavin Prout was traded.  While most feel it is merely coincidence, others feel that trading Prout was equivalent of trading the heart of the team away.  Regardless of which side you fall on, the Prout trade was certainly divisive.

The Boston Blazers came in to the game after playing the Washington Stealth the previous night, the Mammoth had fresh legs, but hadn’t played for three weeks.  Not to mention, the Mammoth made some big changes to the lineup but hadn’t see them in action.

Both Anthony Cosmo and Chris Levis made some great saves, especially when they counted most.  Both defenses were also instrumental throughout the game, but it’s offense that grabs headlines.

Despite taking thirteen shots, John Grant Jr. only scored twice, however, as his second goal was the game winner, many will overlook the misses.  On the one hand, Wayne Gretzky is right; you do miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.  On the other hand, how many better scoring opportunities were missed because JGJ doesn’t seem to pick his shots?

For the first time all season, the Mammoth offense didn’t look flat most of the game.  They were picking and rolling, cutting, cross pass shooting and just in general working to get the goalie to move to set up a shot.  Unfortunately, too often, the Mammoth were unable to get the rebound when Cosmo did make the save.

While the Mammoth still have a long way to go, they’ve at least taken the first step.  Or as John Grant Jr told fans after the game, “There’s more to come, be ready.”

Game Summary

1^st Quarter

The Boston Blazers were given an early gift when Josh Sanderson apparently tripped over his feet or the carpet and went headlong into the boards.  Sanderson was okay, however, Mammoth captain was given a two minute checking from behind penalty.  He was also given a two minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for jawing at the refs.  The Blazers were able to capitalize on both with goals from Dan Dawson and Kevin Buchanan.

Making his mark quickly on his new team, Joel Dalgarno notches the only goal for the Mammoth on a side arm bounce shot.

Mammoth 1, Blazers 2

2^nd Quarter

Casey Powell starts the second quarter off notching a Blazer goal in the first minute assisted by Buchanan.  Dalgarno quickly counters with his second goal of the time thirty-five seconds later.  Josh Sanderson scores his only goal of the night a few minutes later for the Blazers followed a minute later by a quick pair of goals from Alex Gajic and John Grant Jr for the Mammoth to tie the game.  The tie wouldn’t stay long though as Nick Cotter scored the last goal of the quarter with just over five and a half minutes remaining to give the Blazers the lead going into half time.  There was a brief scare when Damon Edwards tripped over Anthony Cosmo’s foot while trying to block Dalgarno and hit hard head first into the boards.  Edwards remained on the turf for several minutes but left the floor under his own power.

Mammoth 4, Blazers 5

3^rd Quarter

The third quarter proved to be very defensive with one goal scored a piece just over half way in; Cotter for the Blazers and Dalgarno for the Mammoth. 

Mammoth 5, Blazers 6

4^th Quarter

Casey Powell scored his second goal of the game two minutes in the quarter on a power play provided by Jarett Park who was sent to the sin bin on a holding penalty.  His brother, Ryan Powell, scored a little over a minute later to give the Blazers a three goal lead.  Gavin Prout started the Mammoth streak off scoring on the power play just under nine minutes in to the 4^th.  Alex Gajic scored his second goal just under a minute and half later to bring the Mammoth within one. With the clock winding down and the Pepsi Center electric with anticipation, the Mammoth pulled Chris Levis for the extra attacker.  Dan Carey scores his only goal of the night with under thirty seconds left to tie the score sending the game into overtime.

Mammoth 8, Blazers 8

Overtime

Heading into overtime, the Pepsi Center was deafening. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve heard it that loud.  The Mammoth won the face off and quickly call a time out.  Play commences, and to nobody’s surprise, John Grant Jr is given the ball.  He runs around and although some of the other players may have had a better opening, takes a shot and Cosmo makes an easy save. Boston gains possession, Casey Powell passes to Dan Dawson who shoots wide.  After much battling over the loose ball, John Gallant comes up with the loose ball, passes to Steve Forsythe who passes to Prout.  Prout passes to Langtry.  Langtry makes a pass but it’s tipped and Boston recovers.  Casey Powell crosses the midline and passes it to Jamie Rooney.  Boston passes it around several more times before Rooney attempts a bounce shot that goes wide.  Mac Allen recovers the ball for the Mammoth.  The Mammoth slow the pace down passing back and forth setting up the play.  Prout gets the ball and gets ready to shoot on net when the whistle is blown and Alex Gajic is called for an illegal pick.  Boston regains possession.   Dawson starts off the passing for the Blazers.  Sanderson takes a shot, but Levis makes the save.  After much fighting for the ball, it’s whistled dead and possession awarded to Colorado.  Dan Carey picks up the ball and passes it across the center line to Jed Prossner who quickly passes it to John Grant Jr.  JGJ does a swim move over the top Kyle Rubish and shoots five hole to get the game winner.  The goal is reviewed while everyone waits with anticipation.  After watching several angles multiple times, the goal is called good and the fans go nuts like it was a playoff win.  Anthony Cosmo is very upset over something and after being very vocal to the refs for several minutes is given a two minute unsportsmanlike penalty.

Final Score: Mammoth 9, Blazers 8

Attendance: 17,123

MVP: John Grant Jr

Around the League:

Friday, March 25

Minnesota Swarm 13, Edmonton Rush 14

Toronto Rock 9, Calgary Roughnecks 14

Boston Blazers 8, Washington Stealth 9

Saturday, March 26

Philadelphia Wings 10, Rochester Knighthawks 13

Sunday, March 27

Buffalo Bandits 12, Minnesota Swarm 9

Articles similar to this:

• February 14, 2011 -- Boston Blazers Dominate Colorado Mammoth (0)
  One would think that if your defense can put the kibosh...
• February 22, 2011 -- Mammoth Drop Back to Back Games (0)
  The Mammoth offense needs to get over themselves. I don...
• April 11, 2011 -- Mammoth Still in Playoff Hunt (0)
  The rivalry between the Calgary Roughnecks and the Colo...