Mammoth players shine as West wins NLL All-Star Game
Published on February 25, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release
TORONTO - Mammoth defenseman Jay Jalbert shined bright at the National Lacrosse All-Star Game on Saturday. Jalbert led all scorers with five assists and six points and his lone goal started a rally that gave the West Division its first victory in three tries over the East Division in the NLL's midseason showcase.
Mammoth captain Gavin Prout assisted on the game-winning goal by whipping a long, behind-the-back pass to Lewis Ratcliff. The Calgary Roughnecks forward buried his shot with 4.4 seconds remaining to give the West a 14-13 win before 15,924 fans at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
Prout, who won the shooting accuracy contest in the All-Star skills competition on Friday night, finished the game with two assists. The Mammoth's Dan Carey was also impressive, as the rookie forward notched two goals and an assist in his All-Star debut.
The East held a 13-9 lead in the fourth quarter, but Portland LumberJax goaltender Dallas Eliuk and the West defense held the opposition scoreless for the final 12 minutes, while the West rallied for five consecutive goals and the win.
Ratcliff tallied a game-high four goals and was named the game's most valuable player. His Calgary teammate, forward Tracey Kelusky, added two goals and an assist. Edmonton's Cam Bergman scored one goal, but it was a big one. He tied the game at 13 with 2:43 remaining, converting a breakaway chance after taking a floor-length pass from Eliuk.
The West earned its first win since the NLL realigned into two divisions prior to the 2004 season. The East was victorious in the previous two All-Star games under the current format, at Pepsi Center in 2004 and at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, last season.
San Jose Stealth goaltender Anthony Cosmo played the first half, making 24 saves and allowing seven goals. Eliuk - the only player in league history to play in every All-Star Game - earned the victory in net after allowing six goals and making 17 saves.
Buffalo Bandits forward Mark Steenhuis led the East with four points on two goals and two assists. Philadelphia Wings forward Glenn Clark and Rochester Knighthawks forward John Grant each added two goals.
Rochester's Pat O'Toole played the first half, making 26 saves and allowing seven goals. Buffalo's Steve Dietrich made 27 saves and took the loss after allowing seven goals.
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 25, 2006
- Mammoth players shine as West wins NLL All-Star Game - Colorado Mammoth
- Dallas Continues All-Star Winning Streak to 6-0 - Portland Lumberjax
- East loses nailbiter to West in NLL All-Star Game Showdown - Toronto Rock
- West wins 2006 NLL All-Star Game, 14-13 - NLL
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