Bridgeport Barrage Game Day Preview
Published on June 26, 2002 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
Barrage at a Glance: The Bridgeport Barrage enter Friday's MLL showdown with the Long Island Lizards having pulled off their first win of the season, 15-12, at Baltimore last Saturday at Ravens Stadium. The victory was crucial for the Barrage who improved their record to 1-4 while handing Baltimore (4-1) their first loss of the season. Bridgeport's victory halted the team's four-game losing streak and evened their all-time series record vs. Baltimore (2-2). In the win over Baltimore, Blake Miller recorded his first career MLL hat trick and Keith Cromwell led the team in scoring with two goals and three assists. In goal, Mark Spruyt made his first start for the Barrage and opened some eyes across the league by making 16 saves en route to earning Bud Light MVP honors. After the first five games of the season, Matt Panetta (10g, 3a), Roy Colsey (9g, 1a), Dan Denihan (7g, 6a) and Keith Cromwell (4g, 7a) have paced the offense. However, Panetta and Danihan the team's top two scorers heading into last Saturday's contest at Baltimore were held scoreless in that game. The Barrage used a balanced scoring attack where eight players contributed with goals including newly acquired attackman B.J. Prager (2g) who made his debut for the Barrage.
Last Time They Met: The Bridgeport Barrage were handed their worst loss in team history, 21-8, when they opened the 2002 season at Long Island on 6/302. The Barrage allowed the most goals in team history in the defeat and had a franchise-low scoring output with the eight points. The Barrage offense was held in check, scoring just two goals over the last forty minutes of the game. Bridgeport actually seized a 4-1 lead in the opening minutes of the game, but saw that advantage evaporate as Long Island went on to score 11 of the next 13 goals to take a commanding 12-6 halftime lead. In the loss, Dan Denihan and Roy Colsey each scored two goals. Casey Powell, the game's Bud Light MVP, scored five goals to go along with an assist. The Lizard's Larry Falkman was selected as the SOBE Iron Lizard Award winner after making 14 saves in his first start for Long Island.
Guarding the Crease: Mark Spruyt opened some eyes with his 16-save performance in his first start for the Barrage in last Saturday's 15-12 win over Baltimore. Spruyt held Baltimore to their lowest goal output of the season. The game was just the second in team history that was not started by Jim Mule in goal. Last season, Mule missed just one game (also against Long Island) to be by his wife Jamie's side as she gave birth to their second child Christian.
One-Goal Heart Break: After falling to Boston 19-18 in overtime on 6/15/02, the Barrage are now 1-6 all-time in games decided by a goal. In contrast, the Lizards are 5-3 all-time in one-goal games. Last season three of the four meetings between the Barrage and Lizards were decided by just a single goal. Long Island won two of those three meetings while also defeating the Barrage 17-14 on 8/5/01.
Series Summary: The Lizards hold a 4-1 series advantage after their season opening 21-8 win over the Barrage. Overall in the five games, Long Island has outscored Bridgeport 22-12 in the fourth quarter. The Barrage were victimized by Terry Riordan in there first three meetings after he burned Bridgeport for 15 goals. Casey Powell (15g, 8a) has contributed at least four points in each of the five meetings between the two teams. Roy Colsey (9g) has been the offensive mainstay in the series for Bridgeport with a team-leading nine goals that includes three, two-point shots.
In the Crease: Jim Mule has made 74 saves this season while surrendering 64 goals (54% save percentage). Mule made 13 saves in last Friday's 15-7 loss vs. Baltimore, 21 saves in a 19-18 overtime loss vs. Boston, 18 saves at Long Island in the 21-8 loss and tied his MLL career high with 22 saves in the 12-7 loss at New Jersey. Thus far, the opposition has a 64% save percentage against the Barrage (95 saves, 54 goals).
Face-offs: The Bridgeport Barrage have won 52% of their face-offs this season (74-for-143). Andy Towers has won 33-of-56 face-offs. Defenseman Jamie Hanford has won 40-of-86 face-offs this season, including a season-high 17 in the Bridgeport loss vs. Boston on 6/15/02. Matt Alexander (1-for-1) took one face-off in the win at Baltimore.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 26, 2002
- Bridgeport Barrage Game Day Preview - Philadelphia Barrage
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