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NLL New England Black Wolves

Black Wolves Top Rock in Overtime

February 14, 2016 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
New England Black Wolves News Release


Uncasville, Conn. - The Toronto Rock entered Sunday's game at Mohegan Sun Arena without a win, but the New England Black Wolves fully expected a struggle.

That's just what they got from the defending East Division champions, who repeatedly rallied from multiple-goal deficits before taking a 16-15 lead with 18.3 seconds left in regulation on a power play goal by Stephan Leblanc.

That's when Shawn Evans once-again displayed the skills that have made him a two-time National Lacrosse League MVP.

Coming out of a timeout with 6.8 seconds left in regulation, Evans scored his sixth goal of the game, beating Toronto goalie Brandon Miller with a scoop shot in traffic.

Then, 49 seconds into overtime, Kyle Buchanan converted a pass from Evans for the game winner, beating Miller short side for a 17-16 victory that lifted the Black Wolves to 4-2 on the year.

"Evy was drawing guys like he did all game," Buchanan said, explaining how Evans set him up for the winning goal. "He made a great play and flipped it to me and I put it in. I was stopped earlier in the game far side. I thought, if I got another chance, I'd go short side."

The six goals were a season-high for Evans, who also had six assists and a season-high 12 points. Pat Saunders and Kevin Crowley each had four goals and two assists while Kevin Buchanan tied a season high with five assists.

"It was just one of those things," said Evans of the goal that tied the game. "The ball got on my stick, Crowley set a good pick. He (Miller) is a good goalie. Thank God it went in."

With his performance Sunday, Evans jumped two spots on the NLL career points list. He is now 12th all-time with 831 points. One of the players he passed Sunday is current New England Black Wolves' offensive coordinator Tracey Kelsuky, who drew up the play for the game-tying goal in regulation.

"He's so dynamic," Black Wolves head coach Glenn Clark said. "It's funny. Some guys have the "It" factor. I don't know how he does it. He just gets it done. He's a little unorthodox, but it's kind of like you let the horses run a little bit."

Evans, who scored three straight in a span of one minute, 43 seconds at one point in the third quarter, also moved up to 23rd all-time in career goals. He now has 299.

The Black Wolves needed every goal because Toronto, now 0-6, refused to wilt after falling behind by deficits of 4-1, 6-3 and 12-9. The Rock made another run late in the game, erasing a 14-12 deficit with three straight goals in a span of three minutes, 11 seconds to take a 15-14 lead in the closing minutes.

Saunders tied the game with 2:01 left on a power play goal, but then Leblanc struck in the closing seconds for what appeared to be the game winner. He left too much time for Evans.

"I think it was a good win, but I also think we outplayed them the whole game," Evans said. "We gave them a couple. But we had no quit."

New England is now tied for first in the East and it has matched its win total from all of 2015.

The Black Wolves will be in action next on Sunday, February 28th when they take on the Georgia Swarm at Mohegan Sun Arena. Game time is 3 p.m.

Uncasville, Conn. - The Toronto Rock entered Sunday's game at Mohegan Sun Arena without a win, but the New England Black Wolves fully expected a struggle.

That's just what they got from the defending East Division champions, who repeatedly rallied from multiple-goal deficits before taking a 16-15 lead with 18.3 seconds left in regulation on a power play goal by Stephan Leblanc.

That's when Shawn Evans once-again displayed the skills that have made him a two-time National Lacrosse League MVP.

Coming out of a timeout with 6.8 seconds left in regulation, Evans scored his sixth goal of the game, beating Toronto goalie Brandon Miller with a scoop shot in traffic.

Then, 49 seconds into overtime, Kyle Buchanan converted a pass from Evans for the game winner, beating Miller short side for a 17-16 victory that lifted the Black Wolves to 4-2 on the year.

"Evy was drawing guys like he did all game," Buchanan said, explaining how Evans set him up for the winning goal. "He made a great play and flipped it to me and I put it in. I was stopped earlier in the game far side. I thought, if I got another chance, I'd go short side."

The six goals were a season-high for Evans, who also had six assists and a season-high 12 points. Pat Saunders and Kevin Crowley each had four goals and two assists while Kevin Buchanan tied a season high with five assists.

"It was just one of those things," said Evans of the goal that tied the game. "The ball got on my stick, Crowley set a good pick. He (Miller) is a good goalie. Thank God it went in."

With his performance Sunday, Evans jumped two spots on the NLL career points list. He is now 12th all-time with 831 points. One of the players he passed Sunday is current New England Black Wolves' offensive coordinator Tracey Kelsuky, who drew up the play for the game-tying goal in regulation.

"He's so dynamic," Black Wolves head coach Glenn Clark said. "It's funny. Some guys have the "It" factor. I don't know how he does it. He just gets it done. He's a little unorthodox, but it's kind of like you let the horses run a little bit."

Evans, who scored three straight in a span of one minute, 43 seconds at one point in the third quarter, also moved up to 23rd all-time in career goals. He now has 299.

The Black Wolves needed every goal because Toronto, now 0-6, refused to wilt after falling behind by deficits of 4-1, 6-3 and 12-9. The Rock made another run late in the game, erasing a 14-12 deficit with three straight goals in a span of three minutes, 11 seconds to take a 15-14 lead in the closing minutes.

Saunders tied the game with 2:01 left on a power play goal, but then Leblanc struck in the closing seconds for what appeared to be the game winner. He left too much time for Evans.

"I think it was a good win, but I also think we outplayed them the whole game," Evans said. "We gave them a couple. But we had no quit."

New England is now tied for first in the East and it has matched its win total from all of 2015.

The Black Wolves will be in action next on Sunday, February 28th when they take on the Georgia Swarm at Mohegan Sun Arena. Game time is 3 p.m.

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