Jax And Mammoth Meet For Final Time

March 17, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND - There's only six games left in the 2008 regular season for the Portland LumberJax and every win is becoming more important. With four of the five teams in the National Lacrosse League's West Division making the playoffs, every win could determine who's in and who's out. The Jax (3-7) will look to establish their playoff position, starting Thursday, March 20 as they host the Colorado Mammoth at 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden Arena.

Like many great sports rivalries, the series history between the two clubs has swayed back-and-forth like a heavyweight fight. Each team taking their shots; watching as the final decision came down to the wire.

The rivalry started out in Portland's favor but has since been all Colorado. The Jax won the first two meetings the two clubs ever played in 2006. Both were one goal decisions and set the tone for the rivalry.

In 2007, the Mammoth (6-3) won all three decisions, with two of those being decided by four goals or less. Both games in 2008, decided by a combined total of four goals, have gone to the Mammoth.

In the first meeting this season on Jan. 24, 6,322 watched as Portland built an early two goal lead in the first quarter. The momentum swayed as the game progressed and the Jax held a 9-6 lead with 11:53 left in regulation. Reeling for much of the game, the Mammoth closed the gap by scoring six of the final eight goals and eventually won 12-11 in overtime.

All-Star Forward "Dangerous" Dan Dawson scored two goals and added two assists. All-Star forward Ryan Powell scored a goal and matched forward Scott Stewart with a game-high four assists. Playing his most complete game of the season, goalie Matt King grounded the Mammoth attack, stuffing 33 of the 45 shots he faced.

On Feb. 7, both clubs met in front of 15,910 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Colorado held a six goal advantage early in the third quarter, only to stand dazed and confused as Portland cut the deficit in half. The Mammoth would eventually hold on for the 15-12 win, making it the fifth time in seven meetings that the final score was determined by three goals or less.

Forward Spencer Martin set season-highs in assists (6) and points scored (7) and Powell led the offensive attack, scoring four goals and adding an assist. In relief, future hall-of-fame goalie Dallas Eliuk stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced as Portland cut the Colorado deficit.

The Jax last played on Mar. 8 when they fell 15-12 to the Calgary Roughnecks in Calgary. Dawson went out in a blaze of glory before the All-Star Break, scoring three goals and adding two assists. Powell, who suffered an ankle injury in the game that led to him missing the All-Star Game, scored two goals and added four assists for Portland.

This will be the third and final meeting of the regular season for both clubs. Both could potentially meet down the road in the playoffs, but the Jax still have six games left to work their way up the standings and improve their positioning.



National Lacrosse League Stories from March 17, 2008


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