NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth win over Rush

Published on April 10, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth kept its playoff hopes alive on Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Rush, 14-10, at Rexall Place. A nine-point effort from Edmonton native Jamie Shewchuk, combined with an outstanding outing from Mammoth goalie Chris Levis, led to a convincing Colorado victory, bringing the Mammoth to within a game of the Minnesota Swarm in the playoff race.

The first quarter started out slow and physical as neither team was able to draw net for more than five minutes. Colorado forward Brian Langtry struck first at the 5:22 mark, and would complete a hat trick before the end of the quarter. Edmonton rookie forward Corey Small contributed two goals in the first frame including a low worm-burner from the top and a dive shot just above the crease. Shewchuk caught Rush goalie Brandon Atherton sleeping as he snuck a goal under his arm at the 10:27 mark. Colorado carried a 4-2 lead into the second quarter.

Langtry showed no signs of slowing early in the second, beating his defender below the goal line, then diving above the crease and tucking the ball around the Rush goalie for his fourth tally of the night. Edmonton matched with a power play goal at the 2:17 mark. Just 43 seconds later, Mammoth rookie forward Alex Gajic muscled past his defender to free his hands for a behind-the-back goal. Mammoth forward Chad Culp added a goal of his own before the Rush reeled off three unanswered to bring Edmonton to within one. Mammoth veteran forward Derek Malawsky pushed the lead back to two by finally solving Matt Disher, who entered the game in relief of Atherton midway through the quarter. Malawsky's shot that ripped the back of the net with 3:07 remaining in the second was the final goal of the first half, with Colorado leading, 8-6.

Levis weathered an early second-half offensive storm from the Rush, making four impressive saves. But Rush forward Scott Stewart was not to be denied, running through four Mammoth defenders and scoring a short-handed goal at the 4:14 mark of the third. The Mammoth, which was sluggish to start the third quarter, awoke to score four unanswered goals, including two from Shewchuk, in less than three minutes. The Rush stopped the bleeding with a goal from forward Ryan Powell, then another from Corey Small as he pulled down a high rebound off an errant shot to cut the Mammoth lead to three.

Former Mammoth captain Gavin Prout (2g, 2a) got the fourth quarter scoring started for the Rush with a goal 3:24 in; it would be Edmonton's last. Shewchuk recorded his fourth on a back-hand shot, followed by Langtry's fifth to give Colorado a four-goal cushion it would not relinquish.

Despite Edmonton putting 13 more shots on goal than Colorado (53-40), the Mammoth improved its road record to 4-3 this season behind a 43-save performance from Levis. The win was Colorado's second in a row and first this season in regulation. Its three previous wins all came in overtime.

Colorado completes its four-game road trip tomorrow night in Calgary before returning home on April 16 to take on the Boston Blazers on Animal Lovers' Night. Tickets are on sale now.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 10, 2010


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