NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth Faces Stealth in Home-And-Home Series

Published on March 9, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The West-Division-leading Colorado Mammoth (7-1) takes on the last-place Washington Stealth (2-6) this weekend in a home-and-home series. Colorado, which can clinch a playoff berth with wins in both games, has lost eight straight to the Stealth dating back to the 2009 season.

"They have a good nucleus over there, and they're well coached," said Mammoth head coach Bob Hamley. "We need to turn the tables around."

Despite Colorado's five-game lead over Washington in the standings, Hamley said that there's plenty of work to be done.

"We've got a lot to prove. I'm sure people are calling us an underdog against Washington this weekend just because of what they've done the last couple years against us."

Just as the Stealth's player health appears to be improving, the Mammoth found out on Thursday that all-star forward John Grant Jr. will be out of the line-up for the match-up due to an upper-body injury.

"Obviously this presents us with a new challenge, but that's what team sports are all about," Hamley said on Thursday. "We're extremely confident with the players we have, and it will be their responsibility to step up in "˜Jr.'s' absence."

Colorado leads the National Lacrosse League in scoring (13.63 goals per game) and shooting percentage (.207). Washington is last in both categories (9.88 goals per game / .143).

Both teams are coming off impressive road victories from a week ago.

The Mammoth defeated the Bandits, 16-13, at First Niagara Center in Buffalo on Saturday night. Grant and rookie forward Derek Hopcroft each scored four goals in the victory, and were named the NLL's Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively.

Stealth forward Jeff Zywicki was activated from the team's Physically Unable to Perform List a week ago, and contributed two goals and two assists in Washington's 14-9 win last Saturday over the Toronto Rock in a rematch of the past two NLL championship games. The right-handed forward has seemingly always played well against the Mammoth, with 38 goals and 42 assists in 12 career games.

"I don't know if you can slow him down," said Hamley. "You've got to limit his opportunities."

Washington goaltender Kevin Croswell recorded 41 saves in the Stealth's win over the Rock, and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Week.

Colorado's seven wins this season exceed the team's totals from the past two seasons, and match that of 2009.

Saturday night's game is a 7pm MT face-off from HealthONE Field at Pepsi Center in Denver. On Sunday, the action shifts to the Comcast Arena in Everett, Wash. Game-time is 6pm MT.

Tickets to Saturday night's game 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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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 9, 2012


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