Dan Dawson Scores Game-Winning Goal in OT of Game 7 in WLA Semi-Final
August 18, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Arizona Sting News Release
VICTORIA, BC --- The Victoria Shamrocks needed a pair of overtime periods to defeat the upstart Coqiutlam Adanacs in Game 7 of the Western Lacrosse Association Semi-Finals last night at Bear Mountain Arena. After regulation ended with the score deadlocked 2-2, the first overtime produced no goals for either team and a second extra session was required to determine a winner. Shamrocks/Sting forward Dan Dawson scored the game-winning goal 2:42 into the second OT to earn his team the sudden death victory. The Shamrocks advance to the WLA Finals by virtue of their win; they will be looking to defend their league title against Craig Conn and the New Westminster Salmonbellies, who defeated the Burnaby Lakers 4 games to 1 in their Semi-Final match-up. Shamrocks/Sting defenseman Chris McKay was pleased with Thursday's victory and is looking forward to taking on New Westminster in the WLA Finals.
"It was a really great game last night," said McKay. "Both teams played really well defensively and when the forwards did get their chances, both goalies were there to make the big save. We're really happy to get this win and we're looking forward to taking on the Salmonbellies in the finals."
Nine-time NLL All-Pro Dallas Eliuk made 50 saves on 53 shots for the Adanacs while Anthony Cosmo stopped 51 of 53 shots to earn the victory for Victoria. The Shamrocks took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but a goal by Sting/Adanacs forward Peter Veltman knotted the game at two apiece 1:41 into the third and neither team was able to score in the final 18:19 of regulation to send the game to an extra session. Coquitlam out-shot Victoria 12-7 in the first OT but were unable to beat the Shamrocks' goaltender, who also plays for the NLL's San Jose Stealth. In the second OT, Derek Malawsky, the brother of Sting forward Curt Malawsky, assisted on Dawson's game-winner, as did Minnesota Swarm forward Sean Pollack. Dawson's shot was his ninth of the game and the first of double OT for the Shamrocks. The star forward was please with the victory.
"This was a huge win for us," said Dawson. "I was trying to beat Dallas low the whole game and I finally got one through his five-hole for the winner. This was a really tough series and I give full marks to the Adanacs for battling hard all the way through."
Sting/Adanacs forward Andy Secore was unable to score on five shots in Thursday night's loss. Despite being held off of the Game 7 score sheet, the rookie forward still led his team in playoff scoring after amassing 13G-13A-26P over the course of the seven game series against Victoria.
"This was a really competitive series and its tough to lose like that when you're so close," said Secore. "I had some chances Thursday but Cosmo was really playing well and I couldn't get one past him. Its sad for the season to be done but I learned a lot this summer and I'm looking forward to the upcoming NLL season."
The Adanacs lost three of the series' first four games but rebounded with big wins in Games 5 and 6 to force the series to a decisive seventh match. Sting/Adanacs defenseman Bruce Murray assisted on the game-winning goal in Game 5 and amassed 10 PIM over the course of the series as he played with abundant physicality against the Shamrocks' talented forwards. Peter Veltman registered 13G-9A-22P in the series, good for third place on the Adanacs in playoff scoring.
Dan Dawson tallied 10G-17A-27P in the series for Victoria while Chris McKay registered 1G-2A-3P. Dawson's 27 points rank him second in the WLA's playoff scoring race behind teammate Lewis Ratcliff.
Game 1 of the WLA Finals between the Shamrocks and Salmonbellies takes place on Sunday night at the Bear Mountain Arena. New Westminster out-scored Burnaby 54-43 in their five-game series win over the Lakers. The Salmonbellies' lineup includes Sting forward Craig Conn (5GP-6G-6A-12P-28PIM) as well as defenders Greg Hinman (5GP-0G-6A-19PIM) and Chris Seller (5GP-4G-2A-6P).
National Lacrosse League Stories from August 18, 2006
- Corporal McNish signed for another year - Calgary Roughnecks
- Dan Dawson Scores Game-Winning Goal in OT of Game 7 in WLA Semi-Final - Arizona Sting
- Wings acquire goaltender Ken Montour from Buffalo - Philadelphia Wings
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