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Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth Fall to FireWolves Saturday, 13-11

February 17, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth dropped a 13-11 decision to the league's top-ranked Albany FireWolves Friday night. With the FireWolves warning six of the contest's first nine goals, Colorado was able to overcome the early deficit, but wasn't able to keep up at the end of the ferocious back-and-forth contest.

Racking up three of the first five goals on the night, it was Albany who took advantage of the first period, as Alex Simmons got the contest's scoring started just three minutes in.

Despite some early scrappiness back and forth, the two teams looked pretty even throughout the first. But with Albany doubling down midway through the opening skate, this time courtesy of Kurtz, the home team established a 2-0 advantage.

Going back-to-back on some Drake vibes, it was Zed Williams who initially got the good guys on the board with 5:42 to play. Running it back just 17 seconds later in stunning fashion, Mammoth forward Tyson Gibson picked up another for Colorado to tie the game at 2-2.

Eventually relinquishing a goal with just 11 seconds left in quarter one, it was Albany which captured to lead and corresponding momentum heading into the second.

Seeing Kurtz and Simmons each respectively log their second of the night within the second quarter's opening two minutes of play, granting their team a 5-2 advantage.

With alternate captain Eli McLaughlin teaming up with Connor Kelly to get one back for the Mammoth, DU prospect Ethan Walker re-established his team's three-goal lead.

McLaughlin wasn't backing down by any means though, as the franchise's all-time goal-scorer went on to get his second of the night with five minutes remaining in the ole ring half. Making it two-straight just over a minute later, Kelly recorded his first of the night as he continued to add to the scoresheet during his first season with Colorado.

Down just one at the break, 7-6, Colorado felt confident into the second half down just one to the league's top-ranked team.

Tying the game early in the third quarter, courtesy of The Magic Man Connor Robinson, the teams were even once again.

Momentarily that is, as Travis Longboat recaptured a 7-6 lead for his team two minutes later.

With McLaughlin completing his hat trick with less than three minutes to play in the third, it was Williams who noticed a second of the night em route to gaining Colorado its first lead of the night. But in identical fashion to the opening quarter, Albany was able to a see an l with 11 seconds to play.

This time, seeing Simmons complete his hat-trick feat as the third came to a close, the FireWolves knotted the game at 8s this time.

Able to convert on the man-up opportunity, former Mammoth forward Sam Firth regained the home team its lead. But just 17 seconds later, Kelly returned to the turf to produce a second tally against his former squad as the clock read 9-9.

Albany's Rookie of the Year frontrunner in Simmons recorded his fourth of the game to continue the back-and-forth affair.

But a transition goal from Mammoth defenseman Brett Craig (who accepted a nice pass from Tyler Garrison) once again tied the contest, this time at 10-10.

As the accolades began to rack themselves up, it was Kurtz who completed a hat trick of his own with nine minutes remaining to give the home team another lead late.

Gibson had an answer just over two minutes later with a uniquely crafted conversion. With just over seven minutes to play, the game was tied once more.

Quiet for a majority of the game, veteran forward Marshall Powless decided to get on the board courtesy of a delayed penalty, 6-on-5 look with less than five to play. Dramatic would be an understatement at this point. But when the FireWolves doubled down less than 60 seconds later, this time via Walker, the late-game momentum seemed to shift a bit.

So much so that Walker's goal would solidify the 13-11 final as Colorado completed its four-game road trip with a 1-3 record.

Eli McLaughlin's six points (3g, 3a) paced Mammoth scorers on the night, while Connor Kelly (2g, 3a), Zed Williams (2g, 2a) and Tyson Gibson (2g, 1a) rounded out primary scoring efforts for Colorado. Mammoth goaltender Dillon Ward stopped 36-of-49 in Saturday night's decision.

Colorado is set to finally return home to the cozy confines of the LOUD HOUSE on Friday, Feb. 23 as Ball Arena prepares to welcome nearly 10,000 for another epic RUMBLE AT THE LOUD HOUSE showdown against Jeff Teat and the New York Riptide. Limited tickets remain, so be sure to lock yours and get ready to TUSK UP!!!

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