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Blazers Begin Three-Game Road Swing

February 13, 2009 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Boston Blazers News Release


Boston, MA (February 13, 2009) - The Boston Blazers, who evened their record to 3-3 with a thrilling, come-from-behind 9-8 victory over the New York Titans last Saturday night at the TD Banknorth Garden, begin a critical three game road swing as the team travels to Philadelphia to battle the Wings this evening at the Wachovia Center. The following weekend the Blazers head west to face the Minnesota Swarm on Friday, February 20, and the Calgary Roughnecks on Sunday, February 22.

Boston comes into its Friday matchup against Philadelphia (2-4) in third place in the NLL East Division standings, a half game behind New York (4-3) and two games behind first place Buffalo (5-1). Close on the heels of the Blazers is Toronto (2-3), who trails Boston by a half game and Philadelphia who is a full game behind.

The Blazers are 2-0 against the Wings this season after sweeping a weekend home-and-home series besting the Wings, 13-11, on January 23 for the team's first franchise win. The following night at home, Boston completed the sweep with a convincing 11-7 decision over the Wings. In the series, Dan Dawson has paced the offensive attack with 14 assists (game-high seven assists in both games). The seven-year NLL veteran leads the Blazers with 36 points overall (11 goals and 25 assists) and is ranked third in the NLL in points scored. The beneficiaries of D. Dawson's generosity are Matt Lyons (seven goals in the series vs. Wings) and Daryl Veltman (six goals in the series). For Philadelphia, the Wings are led by Mat Giles (six goals and three assists) and Drew Westervelt (four goals and three assists) in the season series.

Last Saturday night at the TD Banknorth Garden, the Blazers notched their first win of the season against New York scoring two goals in the game's final 10 seconds to keep pace in the East Division playoff race. Blazers forward Gary Bining scored three of his game-high four goals in the final quarter including the game-tying score with 9.5 seconds remaining in regulation and Kyle Ross followed with the game winner, scoring with a half second remaining. Bining's performance, that also included one assist and seven loose balls, earned him league honors as the NLL's Overall Player and Rookie of the Week.

Locking Things Down

After giving up 43 goals in its first three games, the Blazers have allowed only 24 goals in the last three games, while holding opponents under 10 points in each of these contests. In Saturday's game against New York, the Blazers improved defense, led by goalie Anthony Cosmo, stifled a Titans potent offensive attack that had scored 32 goals against Boston in its first two games, holding them to just eight goals on 40 shots.

New York's Casey Powell, who had scored three goals and added five assists in the first meeting between the Titans and Blazers on Jan. 10 and had another three goals and six assists against Boston a week later, was held to just two goals and two assists on Saturday night.

Blazers Offensive Leaders

D. Dawson continues to pace the Blazers offense with 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) sharing the goal scoring lead with rookies Daryl Veltman (11 goals, 17 assists and Gary Bining (11 goals, 8 assists). Other offensive contributors include forwards Brenden Thenhaus (10 goals, 13 assists) and Matt Lyons (eight goals, 12 assists).

Broadcast Information

Fans can watch all Blazers games live online and free of charge via the NLL Network at NLL.com.

Next Home Game: Ticket Information

Tickets for the Boston Blazers next home game against the San Jose Stealth on Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 PM at the TD Banknorth Garden are available now by logging onto www.BlazersLacrosse.com or calling 1-888-BLAZERS. Tickets are also available via Ticketmaster and at the TD Banknorth Garden box office.



National Lacrosse League Stories from February 13, 2009


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