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Boston Blazer Game Notes

February 15, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Boston Blazers News Release


Broadcast Information

TV: None

Radio: Orlando Titans Radio Network

(Steve Egan and Bruce Wawrzyniak)

Flagship: ESPN 1080 AM

Affiliates: WKIQ 1240 AM (Eustis)

Internet: NLL.com

TITANS SET FRANCHISE MARK IN COLORADO WIN

The Orlando Titans set a franchise record on Feb. 5 when they allowed just five goals to the Colorado Mammoth. The five goals allowed were the fewest ever by a Titans team during a regular season game and also tied Rochester for the second fewest goals allowed during the 2010 season. The effort was even more impressive when one considers that Colorado had just two goals in the game's first 55 minutes. The Mammoth pulled their goaltender for the final five minutes of the game to essentially give the team a six on five "Man-Up" advantage for the remainder of the game. The strategy was successful as the Mammoth scored three times. Colorado's five goals scored were also the fewest ever scored by a Mammoth team.

NLL Fewest Singe Game Goals Allowed in 2010

3, Toronto, Jan. 23 (Toronto 17, Rochester 3)

5, Orlando, Feb. 5 (Orlando 12, Colorado 5)

5, Rochester, Feb. 9 (Rochester 10, Buffalo 5)

Fewest Goals Allowed by Titans Franchise

3, New York 9, Buffalo 3 (5/9/2009)*

5, Orlando 12, Colorado 5 (2/5/2010)

7, New York 8, Rochester 7 (1/24/2009)

8, New York 11, Philadelphia 8 (4/18/2008)

8, New York 11, Buffalo 8 (5/3/2008)*

*NLL Playoff Game

MADDALENA HITS 300

With a goal against Colorado in the Titans last game, veteran forward PAT MADDALENA became just the 13th player in the 24-year history of the National Lacrosse League to score 300 career goals. Maddalena became the third NLL player this year to reach the milestone, joining Calgary forwards Josh Sanderson (307) and Tracey Kelusky (306), who both hit the 300 career goal mark this season. Maddalena will be honored in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday to commemorate his 300th goal.

SERIES RECORD

Saturday's game will mark the fifth game ever between the Titans and the Boston Blazers. Overall, the series is tied at 2-2. It will also be the second of three regular season meetings between the two teams in 2010. Back on Jan. 23, the Blazers handed the Titans their lone loss of the season, beating Orlando 13-9 at the TD Garden. In that game, the Titans fell behind 3-1 and could never get in synch. Nick Cotter led the Blazers with four goals and an assist, while Brendan Thenhaus added three goals.

Head Coach Ed Comeau

Whether he has been a head coach, general manager, or an assistant coach the name Ed Comeau has been synonymous with success for more than a decade in the National Lacrosse League. In 2010, Comeau is in his second season as head coach and general manager of the Titans organization and his 13th season of affiliation with the NLL. Comeau assumed the dual role of head coach and general manager of the Titans on June 30, 2008. In his first season with the team, Comeau captured an Eastern Division championship with a 10-6 record and then led the Titans to playoff victories over Rochester and Buffalo. The season concluded with a hard-fought 12-10 road loss in the Champion's Cup Final to highly-favored Calgary. For his efforts, Comeau received votes for Coach of the Year, but it was his shrewd personnel moves before and during the season that made the Titans a championship contender and resulted in Ed being named NLL General Manager of the Year.

Comeau's NLL Coaching Career

Year Team Position Record Pct.

1998 Ontario Asst. Coach 6-6 .500

1999 Toronto Asst. Coach 11-3* .786

2000 Toronto Asst. Coach 11-3* .786

2001 Toronto Asst. Coach 12-4 .750

2002 Toronto Asst. Coach 13-5* .722

2003 Toronto Asst. Coach 13-5* .722

2004 Toronto Int. Head Coach 2-4 .333

2005 Rochester Asst. Coach 11-7 .611

2006 Rochester Head Coach 10-8 .556

2007 Rochester Head Coach 17-2* .895

2008 Rochester Head Coach 8-8 .500

2009 New York Head Coach 12-7 .632

2010 Orlando Head Coach 3-1 .750

NLL Career Totals Head Coach 52-30 .634

Asst. Coach 77-33 .700

PARK INJURED, STATUS QUESTIONABLE

Orlando Titans specialist Jarett Park re-injured his shoulder during the road game against Colorado. He is expected to undergo a series of tests and examinations to determine the extent of the injury this week. His status for Saturday's game with Boston is listed as questionable. In four games this season, Park has three assists and has recovered 31 loose balls - second highest total on the team.

SPREADING IT AROUND

Casey Powell (3), Ryan Boyle (3) and Mike McLellan (2) all scored multiple goals during the Colorado game, but - as has been the case all season - the Titans have shown the ability to spread the ball around offensively as seven different Titans scored goals in that game. For the season, Orlando boasts six players with three or more goals and has seen 11 different players score at least one goal through its first four games. Seven different players have now scored in three of Orlando's four regular season games.

VINC SAVES IT

Orlando Titans goalie Matt Vinc continues to cement his reputation as one of the top goalies in the league. Against Colorado (2/5), Vinc held Colorado to just two goals through the first 55 minutes and just five goals total in the game. In all, he stopped 47 of 52 shots on goal (.904 save percentage) and was named NLL Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Vinc has improved in each of his four seasons in the NLL, as his save percentage has improved in each of his first four years in the league. Here is where Vinc currently stands against the elite goal tenders in the NLL (150+ Minutes).

Category Vinc League Rank

Saves/Game 38.5 1st

Saves Percentage .819 1st (Tied)

GAA Average 8.55 2nd

ORLANDO'S BIG D

Although we have just reached the quarter pole on the 2010 season, make no mistake that the 2010 Orlando Titans will go as far as its defense takes it. Through the first four games of the season, the Titans are the league's best team in goals against average - allowing just 34 goals in four games or 8.5 goals per game. Through Feb. 8, here are the top defensive teams in the National Lacrosse League in goals allowed per game:

Team G W-L GA Avg.

Orlando Titans 4 3-1 34 8.50

Toronto Rock 8 6-2 71 8.88

Boston 7 3-4 74 10.57

Calgary 6 3-3 65 10.83

POWELL LEADS LEAGUE

Statistics are sometimes deceptive when comparing NLL players. For example, Casey Powell is currently tied for 15th in the league in goals scored with 12. But when you consider Powell has only played in four games this season (Titans have had two bye weeks and had a game with Philadelphia postponed) he is actually leads the league in goals scored per game with a 3.00 average. Here are the league leaders in goals per game:

Name GP Goals GPG

Casey Powell (ORL) 4 12 3.00

Jeff Zywicki (Washinton) 7 19 2.74

Blaine Manning (Toronto) 8 21 2.63

John Grant Jr. (Rochester) 7 18 2.57

Lewis Ratcliffe (Washington) 7 18 2.57

ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN ATHLETES TO BE HONORED AT NEXT TITANS HOME GAME

As part of its pre-game activities, the Orlando Titans have started a "High School Heroes Program." Before each home game, the Titans honor a local high school athlete for something they have done off the playing field that merits attention. At the Feb. 20 home game against Boston, the Titans will honor Orangewood Christian students Christina Schloot and Emily Hudson. The two have formed a club a school called "Children Everywhere," whose mission is to focus on the problems of children in both Africa and Haiti. Schloot went on a mission to Zambia, Africa last summer to help children in orphanages and Hudson plans to join her in a trip this summer to the impoverished nation. As part of the recognition ceremony, Schloot and Hudson will drop the first ball at the Titans next home game.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 15, 2010


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