Mammoth Host Desert Dogs for LOUD HOUSE Regular Season Finale
NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth Host Desert Dogs for LOUD HOUSE Regular Season Finale

Published on April 1, 2026 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


Exiting a week of bye rest, the (10-5) Colorado Mammoth are coming off a HUGE 14-12 victory over the (4-11) Calgary Roughnecks in which the organization both clinched an outright postseason berth while recording the franchise's 200th win as the Colorado Mammoth.

Advancing to 6-2 within Ball Arena this season, the Burgundy Boys reminded nearly 10,000 passionate fans how much home field advantage would and could come into play should the team capture a Top 4 seed and force a Quarterfinals competition to be hosted at the LOUD HOUSE.

The back-and-forth battle didn't witness a three-goal advantage for either team until early in the fourth quarter as the former foes gave their all. However, it was Andrew Kew and the high-powered Mammoth offense who ultimately had the last laugh, as No. 42 completed his sock trick feat in the final seconds of the contest while solidifying Colorado's spot in this season's ever-shifting playoff picture. Naturally, Kew paced Mammoth scorers with a game-high 10 points (6g, 4a), while Will Malcom (3g, 3a), Jack Hannah (3g, 3a) and rookie forward Braedon Saris (2g, 2a) each enjoyed productive nights in their own right.

Mammoth goaltender Dillon Ward looked like his usual dominant self once again, stopping 48-of-60 shots faced while collecting his 90th career victory between the pipes. Teaming up with Head Coach Pat Coyle and friends in earning their skip an accolade of his own, the victory also doubled as Coyle's 100th career coaching win as the legendary defenseman turned bench boss continues to leave his mark on the game and league he's supported for quite some time now.

With the 14-12 win, Colorado is officially 9-1 this season when the Mammoth are able to notch 10 or more goals, with the team's recent 13-10 loss to the Buffalo Bandits the lone iteration where the team hasn't won while reaching double-digit scoring totals.

And knowing the team is coming off a bye week of rest, with several player's spending part of the week at the team's Spring Break Camp, spirits should be high as the team resumes its March to May push Friday night at the LOUD HOUSE.

Ahead of the league's Week 19 slate, which features five matchups and 10 teams in action, just three of this year's eight prized postseason spots have been claimed, with the (11-4) Vancouver Warriors, (11-5) Saskatchewan Rush and (10-5) Colorado Mammoth remaining the three teams who have clinched their spots.

The (10-5) Georgia Swarm are technically ranked No. 3 overall, yet haven't officially received their invite to the dance, as the Mammoth own tie-breaking scenarios over squads that the Swarm don't yet. So, fans can expect to see an "x" next to the team within the league's standings here sooner than later, especially knowing their final three matchups come against teams currently ranked outside the playoff picture. With Colorado sitting in the No. 4 spot for the time being, it's the No. 5 (9-6) Buffalo Bandits which represent the next-closest team to securing a spot - and the same could be said for the (9-6) Toronto Rock, who also have nine wins with three contests remaining. Both of these teams will likely find their way to postseason waters, but how soon is yet to be determined.

Rocking matching .500 records, albeit with 16 and 14 games played, respectively, the No. 7 (8-8) Ottawa Black Bears and (7-7) Las Vegas Desert Dogs control their own destinies while currently occupying the final two Top 8 seeds. Each of the (6-8) Rochester Knighthawks, (6-8) San Diego Seals and (6-9) Halifax Thunderbirds are mathematically still capable of claiming a Top 8 spot, but would largely need the Desert Dogs to cool down across their final four outings. The magic number of wins needed to guarantee a spot seems to be 10 this year, but there's a decent chance we see one or two teams get in with nine wins given dramatic tie-breaking scenarios around every corner.

For Colorado, the team is seeking to host its first home playoff game since the 2022-23 campaign. With a 10-5 record and three games remaining, Colorado is still 100% in the mix to earn the No. 1 seed. However, anything in the Top 4 would bring a playoff showdown to Ball Arena April 23-25 for a Quarterfinals competition, so Colorado needs to be aiming for at least 11 wins, if not 12, if the Burgundy Boys hope to open their return to the postseason at the LOUD HOUSE here in a few weeks.

Ideally, the team earns a Top 2 seed, which would mean the boys would host the opening game of potential Semifinal competition, with the second and third stages of postseason action donning the three-game, as opposed to the win or go home opening slate of drama.

Regardless of the available paths and potentials, the Mammoth are locked into their approaching shootout against the Desert Dogs, as Colorado looks to close out the two-game regular season series while also celebrating another epic season at Ball Arena, with the organization hosting LOUD HOUSE Appreciation and Colorado Lacrosse Night, as the team's most dedicated supporters are joined by youth athletes from around the state who are getting ready for their electric spring seasons, themselves!

Enter this weekend's bad guys, who in reality, are coached and managed by several former Mammoth front office personnel in Shawn Williams, Dan Pilon, Cody Moll, Joe Huntley and beyond. Knowing how familiar the Dogs' front office is with Colorado means scouting sessions might look a bit different compared to prepping for other squads. At the same time, it was Colorado was picked up the 13-12 win when the teams met earlier this season. Throw in the idea that Colorado is looking to put on a show during its regular season finale while hoping to inch closer to securing a Top 4 seed means the Mammoth are likely to show up with desire.

Yet, it's the Desert Dogs who are fighting for their playoff lives while recognizing there are three teams RIGHT behind them in the NLL standings, so Colorado supporters should expect a desperate game from Las Vegas just the same.

Coming off a dramatic 10-9 overtime win over the (4-11) Calgary Roughnecks suggests a few things. It's never great allowing a team, specifically a low-ranked one like Calgary, to storm back in comeback fashion while forcing overtime. Needing quite the chunk of play time to the put the final nail in Calgary's coffin certainly doesn't bode well for the team's chances of stealing a win at the LOUD HOUSE. But the squad's resilient finish deserves some credit as well. And when you consider Colorado beat the Roughnecks by just two goals the weekend prior, the measuring sticks aren't that far apart.

Adding to this weekend's drama, the Desert Dogs are currently riding a three-game win streak, so the black and white-detailed contingent is bringing quite the wave of momentum into Ball Arena Friday. However, the teams are tied with a 3-3 all-time record, including a 1-1 slate when competing at the LOUD HOUSE, so anything is possible when Las Vegas and Colorado kick off the Week 19 slate at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

That said, Las Vegas is just 2-4 on the road this season with 176 goals for and 175 goals against, practically 1:1 throughout the first 14 games of their season. Sitting in the No. 8 spot, they are essentially the league's walking average, with some good games and quite the sloppy stretch of games mixed in, which includes a 2-6 record as the team drudged through the middle of its schedule.

Paced by a pair of newcomers in Mitch Jones (31g, 55a) and Chris Cloutier (31g, 37a), not to mention another healthy campaign from forward Jonathan Donville (21g, 59a), Las Vegas has recorded 17 goals in two of its last three games, albeit both of the 17-goal totals came against the offensive-minded Knighthawks, while Calgary limited Las Vegas to just 10 conversions in nearly 69 minutes of play. The team's trio of standouts has carried the load for a majority of the season, with Adam Poitras (25g, 19a) and former Mammoth draft selection Kyle Killen (19g, 12a) serving as the only other players above the 30-point mark.

Forward Chase Fraser, another new face to the group this season, has a chance to return to the turf Friday but has spent most of his first year with the Desert Dogs on the Injured Reserve List. Having recorded 22 points (10g, 10a) during his six appearances, he'd be a welcomed addition for a team that's been hot and cold within games. Las Vegas has been able to go on some red-hot scoring runs but the team has witnessed too many cold stretches as well, with the squad's most recent pause allowing Calgary to force overtime just last weekend.

The Desert Dogs made a few swaps at this year's NLL Trade Deadline, but the biggest standout has to involve defenseman Tyson Bell, who's made waves already in his three games with the team. We'll have to see if faceoff specialist Tyrell Hamer-Jackson returns to the Active Roster from the Injured Reserve List, as the Deserts Dogs were credited with just two faceoff wins in 23 opportunities against the Roughnecks. If he's not back at the dot Friday, Mammoth fans should expect Colorado to generate some additional looks in the O-zone thanks to rookie Matthew Paolatto, who's continued to prove himself through his inaugural trip around the NLL circuit.

When it comes to goaltending, not even Las Vegas is certain of which netminder will start Friday night, as veteran Alex Buque and Landon Kells have split time between the pipes throughout the season. Yet, it's the duo's playing time patterns these last few games which provides the ultimate question mark. Kells began the campaign as the team's starter and brings a 5-4 record, 12.62 goals-against average and .760 save percentage into the looming Week 19 matchup. The team wants him to be their most solid option and future netminder, but Buque has offered a more steady, reliable presence when in net. Wielding a 2-2 record, 10.23 goals-against average and .789 save percentage (in 300 fewer minutes played, mind you) after stopping 43-of-49 in 58:19 time on floor, we wouldn't be surprised if it's the elder statesman who finds himself named starter come Friday evening.

However, it may not matter who's in net this weekend if AK42 shows up with a hot stick, now just two weeks removed from recording his second sock trick of the SEASON and third of his NLL career during the team's win over Calgary. Despite playing in just 11 of Colorado's 15 contests to date, Kew continues to lead the league in goal-scoring efforts. Bringing three more goals than both Jeff Teat (40g, 66a in 16 GP) and Tanner Cook (40g, 40a in 15 GP) into Friday's showdown, Kew has been Colorado's life force this season. Stepping directly into the star role throughout his first campaign with the Mammoth, the veteran is averaging nearly 7.1 points per game, which includes 3.9 goals per game as the forward has gotten comfortable rocking burgundy and black rather quickly. Having recorded a hat trick or better in eight of his 11 regular season appearances is honestly hard to quantify. The idea he's ranked No. 15 in scoring in just 11 games played is borderline mind-boggling. The NLL's next-closest-scoring player with 12 or fewer games played? Jack Hannah, who's up to 68 points (20g, 48a) in 12 GP, making the new-coming duo one of the most explosive and efficient set of forwards in the league. Regardless, the pair joins several teammates setting the league-leading tone, including:

Colorado Mammoth League Leaders

Goals: 43 - Andrew Kew (1st)

Assists: 48 - Jack Hannah (14th)

Points: 78 - Andrew Kew (15th)

Power-Play Goals: 10 - Andrew Kew (T3rd)

Loose Balls: 124 - Robert Hope/Matthew Paolatto (T5th)

Blocked Shots: 22 - Robert Hope (4th)

Penalty Minutes: 30 - Ari Stevens (8th)

Faceoff Wins: 221 - Matthew Paolatto (5th)

Faceoff Win Percentage: 59 - Matthew Paolatto (6th)

Saves: 566 - Dillon Ward (6th)

Save Percentage: .810 - Dillon Ward (3rd)

Goals-Against Average: 10.21 - Dillon Ward (7th)

Goaltender Wins: 9 - Dillon Ward (T3rd)

Seeing each of Kew, Malcom and Hannah net hat tricks the last time the boys were in action doubles down on the idea that any one of the three elite talents are capable of popping off. More importantly, it's how they've been able to share the rock, and opportunities to create space away from the ball, that have allowed Colorado to stay competitive. Not to mention a standout rookie season from faceoff specialist Matthew Paolatto, who's coming off a 14-for-28 performance against the Roughnecks. The math on faceoffs won converting to offensive opportunities, let alone points, is one the sport is still working through. But winning any head-to-head battle as a first-year who's regularly showing a competitive effort is a good sign of potential for the former field product. The idea he's tied with captain Robert Hope with a team-high 124 loose balls says something just the same, as the two are tied with the fifth-most scoops amongst all NLL players.

Knowing the two squads are rather familiar with each other's tendencies, plus the fact that the first showdown between said teams resulted in a tight 13-12 final, suggests the LOUD HOUSE regular season finale will feature some sparks, if not fireworks. Ward seems to have returned to his normal All-World level of play and looked confident against the Roughnecks. If that same Wardo shows up Friday night, the Desert Dogs will have a tough time cracking double-digits, as the netminder is averaging just 10.21 goals against per 60 minutes. Even if Las Vegas is able to meet the mark, Colorado understands its odds of achieving its 11th victory of the season should the team be able to produce 11 or 12 goals of their own. Able to tie Head Coach Pat Coyle's single-season win record at 11 victories with a win Friday night might just be the extra boost the Burgundy Boys need. At the same time, we have a feeling the organization, top to bottom, understands the opportunities that lie within these final three games. Most importantly, bringing playoff lacrosse back to the LOUD HOUSE!

Get in the Game

Mammoth games can be viewed on Altitude Sports and streamed live via ESPN+ and NLL+. Friday's April 3 showdown against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs can be viewed locally on Altitude TV and streamed live on ESPN+ and NLL+ beginning at 7 pm. MT.

Mammoth fans can keep an eye on coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for the latest news, transactions and organizational updates throughout the 2025-26 NLL season.

Limited tickets remain for Colorado's LOUD HOUSE Appreciation and Colorado Lacrosse Night celebration against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs April 3, so be sure to lock yours in and get ready to TUSK UP!

Check out the Colorado Mammoth Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



National Lacrosse League Stories from April 1, 2026


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