Barrage Defeated by Cannons, 21-15
Published on August 7, 2003 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
(Lowell, Mass.) August 7, 2003 â The Bridgeport Barrage, Connecticut's only Major League Lacrosse Team, were defeated by the Boston Cannons 21-15, on Thursday evening in front of 3,790 fans at Cawley Memorial Stadium.
A torrential downpour that lasted the majority of the first half made for interesting face-offs, as the centerline was almost completely emerged under water. Barrage Midfielder Doug Shanahan came into tonight's game a near second in the league winning 53% of face-offs taken, while the Cannon's face-off specialist, Peter Inge ranked sixth in the league winning 48% of face-offs taken.
Boston wasted no time as they scored :48 seconds after the opening face-off, when Conor Gill found an open Michael Watson in front of the Barrage goal, to give the Cannons the early lead 1-0. The Barrage got on the board shortly after as Dan Denihan took the ball in himself to tie the game at 1-1. Boston's Gill found his second teammate in scoring position as Mike Regan was able to convert on his feed for the Cannons second goal 4:33 into the game.
Matt Striebel tied the game for the Barrage directly after the first time-out of the game as he scored from close range after penetrating the Cannons defense from the top of the two-point circle. The Cannons pulled ahead with a four-goal run as David Evans scored twice while Brent Rothfuss scored his first goal of the night, and Michael Regan scored his second goal, within a four minute period to give them the 6-2 lead.
The second quarter began with the Barrage a man down from Rob Doerr's penalty sustained late in the first quarter. Bridgeport quickly scored their third goal of the night as Dan Denihan scored his second of the night off a feed from Michael Springer.
Boston's David Evans (5g, 1a) and Bridgeport's Dan Denihan (7g, 3a) both increased their hat-trick totals to five before the end of the first half as they both came into the game tied with four hat-trick on the season and ranked seventh in the league.
Billy St. George scored his first goal of the 2003 season on a feed from Roy Colsey 9:21 into the second quarter. The Cannons outscored the Barrage 8-4 in the second quarter and led into half-time 14-6.
The wet conditions proved to be a factor as players were consistently sliding all over the field and overplaying balls that would roll under normal conditions. The ceremonial cannon shot after each of the Cannons' goals caused a fog to settle over the field right in front of the Barrage goal, as the smoke was not able to escape due to the rain that lingered over the field.
The Barrage won the opening face-off of the second half and Dan Denihan quickly scored three unanswered goals and assisted Blake Miller's first goal of the night to put the Barrage within four at 14-10, 4:27 into the third quarter. The Barrage continued their unanswered run as Denihan found Roy Colsey in front of the goal for his eighth point of the game and wasted no time in scoring his seventh goal of the night as Bridgeport pushed to within two with 6:03 left in the quarter.
The Barrage held the Cannons to a scoreless third quarter with the stellar performance of the Bridgeport defense with Justin Cynar in goal. The Cannons scored their first goal of the second half 1:26 into the fourth quarter as Michael Watson scored his third goal of the game.
Keith Cromwell scored his first goal of the night on a feed from Dan Denihan who tallied his tenth point early into the fourth quarter. With just under four minutes remaining in the game the Barrage needed to start something as the Cannons led by five. The Barrage called time-out to talk strategy as the score stood at 19-14 with 3:37 left in the game.
The Cannons outscored the Barrage 2-1 in the closing minutes of the game to give the Cannons their third consecutive trip to the play-offs.
The Barrage play their last game of the season against the Rochester Rattlers on Thursday August 14, at Harbor Yard with a 7:00 start time.
A Surprising Fact: In a game between the two team league leaders in two-point goals, including five of the ten individuals leading the league, not a single two-point goal was scored in the hour of regulation play. Mike Regan leads the league and Boston with 11 2003 two-point goals.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 7, 2003
- Barrage Defeated by Cannons, 21-15 - Philadelphia Barrage
- Lizards can clinch American Division with Boston loss tonight - New York Lizards
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