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NLL Colorado Mammoth

Grant, Hopcroft Earn NLL Weekly Awards

March 7, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - Mammoth forwards John Grant Jr. and Derek Hopcroft have been named the National Lacrosse League's Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively. For Grant, the NLL's two-time reigning Player of the Month, this award marks his third weekly honor of the season. Hopcroft's recognition is the first of his career.

"It took a full team effort to get back on track," said Grant, referring to Colorado's 16-13 win in Buffalo on Saturday. "I would like to congratulate [Derek] for unleashing the fury."

Grant and Hopcroft led the Mammoth with four goals apiece.

With 1:37 remaining in the third quarter, Grant's fourth score of the night was the 500th of his career. He became just the third player in NLL history to reach the milestone.

Hopcroft, 26, scored goals in the first and third quarters of Saturday's victory. He then netted the game-winner early in the fourth, and scored an insurance goal a minute later.

"Receiving this league award is a big accomplishment for me," said the Toronto native. "I had a busload of family and friends come down to watch me play."

Grant, 37, also contributed five assists, while Hopcroft had one helper. Hopcroft had been a healthy scratch in the team's two previous games. On Saturday night, he seized the opportunity.

"I was pretty excited to step into the game after being out for a few weeks," said the right-hand forward.

Hopcroft made his NLL debut in 2011 with the Calgary Roughnecks. However, he still qualifies as a rookie this season due to a lack of playing time last year.

The West-Division-leading Colorado Mammoth (7-1) takes on the Washington Stealth (2-6) in a home-and-home series this weekend.

Colorado hosts Washington on Saturday night at 7pm MT on HealthONE Field at Pepsi Center. Tickets are on sale now at the Pepsi Center box office, all Colorado Dick's Sporting Goods retail kiosks, online at TicketHorse.com, or by calling 303.53.HORSE.

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