Blaze Victorious in Battle, Down Cannons 15-12
Published on July 20, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
The highly anticipated rematch of the Atlanta Blaze and Boston Cannons did not disappoint, providing lacrosse fans with physicality, exceptional goalie play and excellent team play. The game saw 100 total shots, scores from 16 different players, and a pair of Blaze records.
Boston controlled the opening minutes of the game, pushing the score to 4-0 on a bounce-shot from leading goal scorer Mark Cockerton (26). These four goals started the Cannons push to a 5-2 lead after the first quarter. Boston attackmen Will Sands (5 points) and Challen Rogers (3 points) also contributed to the scoring total for the Cannons.
Leo Stouros ended the Cannons' first-quarter run, finding the net off of a TJ Comizio assist with 4:24 left on the clock. Atlanta would return the favor with a 5-2 run on their own, knotting the game at 7-7 for a halftime score.
As play picked up in the second half and shots began to pour in, netminders Chris Madalon and Nicholas Marrocco showed why they are two of the best in the game and headed to Annapolis for the All-Star game next weekend. Madalon had 13 saves on 25 shots on goal for Atlanta while Marrocco racked up 21 saves on 34 shots on goal for the Cannons. Atlanta outshot Boston 21-11 in shots on goal in the second half.
Tommy Palasek, a recent addition to the 2019 All-Star game, showed his savviness by scoring three straight goals late in the third quarter, all within two minutes of play. Another late goal by fellow All-Star attackman Shayne Jackson helped the Blaze push a 12-9 lead to the fourth quarter.
Faceoff specialist Alex Woodall had an excellent afternoon, winning 19 of 31 faceoffs and collecting 9 ground balls on the night. Woodall is now tied for the Blaze single-season ground ball record (78) going into the All-Star break.
Attackman Randy Staats also made history, notching a Blaze single-game record six assists. Staats fed Shayne Jackson with 44 seconds left on the final goal of the afternoon. With 24 assists now on the season Staats is four assists away from breaking the Blaze single-season record (27).
With the win this afternoon, Atlanta moves to (5-4) going into the All-Star break. Nine Blaze players have been selected to the All-Star game, which takes place July 27th at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Blaze will return home for an August 3rd game against the Dallas Rattlers.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Randy Staats - two goals and six assists (Blaze single-game record for assists)
Shayne Jackson - four goals and one assist
Tommy Palasek - three goals and one assist
TJ Comizio - two caused turnovers, one goal, two assists, and two ground balls
Liam Byrnes - three ground balls
Chris Madalon - 13 saves on 25 shots on goal
Alex Woodall - 19 faceoff wins, nine ground balls (tied Blaze single-season record for ground balls)
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 20, 2019
- Blaze Victorious in Battle, Down Cannons 15-12 - Atlanta Blaze
- Chesapeake Overheats against New York, 14-10 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Blaze Power Past Cannons, 15-12 - Boston Cannons
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