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NLL Colorado Mammoth

Late rally not enough

January 24, 2009 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The Edmonton Rush withstood a fourth quarter rally to defeat the Colorado Mammoth 11-9 in Saturday night lacrosse action at Pepsi Center. The loss pushes Edmonton to 2-2 on the year, while the Mammoth drops to 1-2.

Colorado would draw first blood on Matt Leveque's first goal of the season - just 19-seconds into the game. It was short-lived however, as Edmonton answered with three scores over the next five minutes to take a 3-1 lead. Gary Rosyski's goal with 6:51 remaining in the first brought the Mammoth back at 3-2 and that's how the first quarter would end.

Behind strong play from former Mammoth goalie Chris Levis, Edmonton dominated the majority of the second and third quarters. The Mammoth put together a run midway through the second frame with goals by Dan Carey and Jed Prossner, to tie the game at 4, but another string of three Rush goals - capped by a Ryan Benesch power play goal with 2:07 remaining, pushed the lead back to three, 7-4 as the teams headed to the half.

Just eleven seconds into the third quarter, the Rush tacked on a Scott Self goal, followed by Andy Secore's second goal of the night, to push the lead to five at 9-4.

Mammoth captain, Gavin Prout's six-plus quarter goal drought ended at the 4:01 mark of the third when he buried one on Levis. That score not only sparked the 16,734 in attendance, but Prout's teammates as well.

Colorado came out in the fourth quarter inspired. Showing the sense of urgency the Pepsi Center faithful had been waiting for, the Mammoth ripped off three goals in a matter of five minutes. Jed Prossner's sweet pass to Jamie Schewchuk resulted in the seventh goal of the evening for the Mammoth and cut the Rush lead to 9-7. Gary Rosyski followed with a goal to bring Colorado within one with 9:51 remaining. But the Mammoth just couldn't muster the magic for a tying goal. Dan Teat's third goal of the game with 2:44 left sucked the life from the Pepsi Center crowd. Prout would add a goal in the final minute, but the Mammoth would go down in the end 11-9.

"It was just too little too late for us out there tonight," Gavin Prout said after the game. "You just can't afford to get down three or four goals in games and expect to come back very often. We showed some positive signs late in the game though - that when you move your feet and the ball - good things happen. We have to build off of that heading into next week"

Colorado was led in scoring by Prout and Rosyski with two goals and two assists each. Brian Langtry added three assists while Dan Carey contributed two goals. Colorado was outshot 52-39 in the game.

Ryan Benesch and Dan Teat led the Edmonton scoring with six goals and nine assists between them. Andy Secore chipped in with a pair of goals and assists. Jason Wulder added a goal and three assists.

The Mammoth will face the New York Titans next Saturday, January 31 at Pepsi Center. Tickets for all Mammoth home games are on sale now at the Pepsi Center box office, all Ticketmaster retail centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 303.830.TIXS or 719.520.9090.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 24, 2009


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