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NLL Colorado Mammoth

Emotional Night Includes Historic Moment, Thrilling Win

April 18, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - On the team's annual 'Lacrosse Out Cancer' Night presented by Sarah Cannon Cancer Network at HealthONE, the Colorado Mammoth embraced the lessons learned from cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in attendance and showed patience, perseverance, and ultimately - victory! One week after being held to just five goals against the Rochester Knighthawks, the Mammoth defeated the three-time defending NLL champions, 11-10, on Friday night at Pepsi Center.

Mammoth captain John Grant, Jr., who played for Rochester for a decade, scored three straight Colorado goals against his former team to pass Gary Gait and move into second in league history in career scores with 636.

"He's still doing such a good job, and he's playing like a rookie," said first-year forward Jeremy Noble of the veteran. "It's awesome for him. I know he won't say it's a big deal, the humble guy that he is. I'm so happy for him. He deserves it. He's an all-time great!"

On a night when the talk was all about Grant, goaltender Dillon Ward stood tall with 41 saves. He made one in the final period that will litter the highlight reels.

"We played well enough to come out of there with a victory at the end," said the second-year netminder. "We're just trying to build on that and take that to our game tomorrow."

A daunting weekend that includes Rochester and West Division-leading Edmonton, who Colorado is chasing, saw defenseman Colton Porter turn heads in his NLL debut. He was promoted from the Practice Player List earlier in the day.

"At first blush, you look at him and think 'he can't play, he's too small'," said coach Pat Coyle of the five-foot-eight, 170-pound rookie. "Then you realize how fast he is, how strong he is, how smart he is. He really sees the game well. He exceeded my expectations."

To the tune of five loose balls, two caused turnovers, three face-off wins, and a nifty assist to fellow rookie Eli McLaughlin in the fourth quarter on what proved to be the game-winner.

"It means a lot," said Porter of his first career point. "It was a big bounce. We got fired up! I'm just happy we could pull off the win at the end."

Mammoth forward Adam Jones had four goals and three assists to notch his first career 40-goal season and first 80-point campaign.

Colorado built a six-goal lead on McLaughlin's tally 3:39 into the final frame. Rochester scored the next five - three on the power play and one with an extra attacker - to cut the Mammoth lead to one. Then, Ward slammed the door shut in the final seconds.

Players wore jerseys featuring ribbons that represented the type of cancer each played to 'Lacrosse Out'. The nameplates on the back had the words "I'm Playing For", and the name of someone effected by the disease. Last year, 'Lacrosse Out Cancer' Night marked the coaching debuts of the current staff - Pat Coyle, Chris Gill and Dan Stroup. As Coyle so vividly remembers and reflected on after Friday's game, the 'I'm Playing For' campaign was much easier on the trio this time around.

"When we coached here (in our first game), I didn't know a lot of the guys' names," said Coyle with a grin. "To make it harder on us, they had other people's names on the back of the jerseys. The best part about tonight is I actually knew the players' names without looking at their jerseys."

Lacrosse fans have known Grant's name for years, and Ward made a name for himself as a rookie. After a glimpse of what Porter has to offer, it might be time for fans to start learning his name.

Colorado has already secured a top-two seed in the West Division and a home playoff game. It takes on Edmonton at Rexall Place in Alberta on Saturday at 7pm MT.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 18, 2015


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