NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth Drops Season Opener In Washington

January 10, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth lost 17-8 in the first ever NLL game at Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington. The contest, played in front of 4737 fans, marked the season opener for both teams. The Stealth improves to 1-0 while Colorado begins the 2010 season 0-1.

The Stealth opened the scoring early in the first quarter on a Jeff Zywicki goal just 91-seconds into the game to put Washington out front 1-0. Paul Rabil followed with a short-handed tally midway through period and that would be nearly all the scoring for the period until Zywicki slid a shot past Mammoth goalie Curtis Palidwor in the closing seconds of the first to make it 3-0 Stealth after one.

Colorado notched its first point as Cliff Smith assisted on Jamie Shewchuk's first goal of the season just 17-seconds into the second quarter to cut the Washington lead to 3-1. Mammoth rookie Ilija Gajic drew rope just 30-seconds later and the visiting team was within one at 3-2. But the talented Stealth forward Zywicki scored back-to-back goals (his third and fourth of the half) to push the lead back to three for the Stealth at 5-2. The teams would swap goals in the remaining minutes of the second period as Washington took a 6-3 lead into the halftime locker room.

On a night that saw Colorado playing from behind the entire evening, the second half started much like the first - with three consecutive Stealth goals. Paul Rabil, Rhys Duch and Eric Martin all tallied scores as Washington stretched its advantage to 9-3 barely three minutes into the third quarter. Things would get worse from there for Colorado.

Although Ilija Gajic and Shewchuk would tally goals in the period for the Mammoth, it was the Stealth's offense that was impressive on this night. With several players getting in on the action and contributing in the scoring column, Washington stretched its lead to 12-5 after three quarters of play.

With Stealth goaltender Tyler Richards turning in a sparkling performance, his offense didn't let up late in the contest. Pouring in another five goals in the final frame, Washington continually frustrated the Colorado team all night.

Despite a five-point night (4 goals, 1 assist) from Shewchuk, Colorado would fall by a final score of 17-8. Ilija Gajic added two goals for the Mammoth while Brian Langtry and Alex Gajic assisted on two goals each.

Washington was led by Zywicki's eight point night (5 goals, 3 assists). Paul Rabil added a pair of goals and three assists.

Colorado's home-opener is this Saturday night, January 16th as the team hosts the Edmonton Rush at Pepsi Center. The ball drops at 7pm.

Check out the Colorado Mammoth Statistics



National Lacrosse League Stories from January 10, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central