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NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth ring in new year with victory

January 2, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER – The start of a new season offers a fresh start for every team in the National Lacrosse League, but the Colorado Mammoth clearly had a new look on New Year's Day 2005. Unlike years past, the Mammoth was finally able to knock off its rival at home. And unlike last season, the 2005 edition of the Mammoth blew open a close game against a strong opponent instead of forcing fans to chomp their fingernails until the end.

Mammoth captain Gary Gait initiated the final season of his legendary career in style, leading all scorers with three goals in the Mammoth's 12-7 season-opening victory over the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday night at Pepsi Center. Colorado delighted the 16,397 in attendance by scoring all four fourth-quarter goals, breaking open a close game against the defending NLL champion. The victory was the first at home for either team in the seven-game history of the rivalry, which includes Calgary's playoff triumph here last April.

"It was a great start to the season," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. "Our team showed up motivated and ready to play. The guys really performed when it counted tonight."

Vancouver Ravens refugees Chris Prat, Dan Stroup and Mark Miyashita all impressed in their Mammoth debuts. Prat and Stroup each scored twice and Miyashita, the No. 1 pick in the 2003 entry draft, added three assists in his first game on the Colorado defensive corps.

Mammoth netminder Gee Nash, the 2004 NLL goaltender of the year, was brilliant in the latter stages of the game. Nash made several saves on point-blank shots during Colorado's fourth-quarter run and surrendered just two goals in the second half. He earned his first victory of the year with 47 saves, while Calgary's Curtis Palidwor made 38 stops and took the loss.

Colorado had seven different goal scorers and 12 players registered points. Del Halladay, Gavin Prout, Jay Jalbert and Chris Panos each added one goal and Prout joined Miyashita with three assists. Tracey Kelusky led the Roughnecks with four points on two goals and two assists while Kaleb Toth added two goals.

Colorado (1-0) plays its next game on Saturday, Jan. 8 at home against the Arizona Sting. Faceoff at Pepsi Center is 7 p.m.

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