NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth Win Starts 2004 Season in Front of 17,778

January 3, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth started the new year and new season on a happy note with a dominating 17-8 victory over the San Jose Stealth Friday night at Pepsi Center.

A crowd of 17,778 saw Gary Gait score six goals and five assists and newcomer Gavin Prout add three goals and four assists on the team's way to the win.

"To finish the night with an exciting win after beginning it with a banner ceremony makes for a terrific start," said Colorado Mammoth general manager Steve Govett. The Mammoth unveiled its first banner at Pepsi Center Friday in honor of the team's 2003 NLL Eastern Division championship.

The Stealth's Dan Teat scored the first goal of the game, followed quickly by goals from the Mammoth's Ben Prepchuk, Gavin Prout, John Wilson, Brian Langtry and a pair from Del Halladay. The Mammoth built a 6-1 first-quarter lead and newly acquired goalie Gee Nash held the Stealth scoreless for more than 15 minutes.

Teat opened scoring again in the second quarter but was answered with goals from Gait and Prout. Mike Reagan and Gary Rosyski scored for the Stealth with Gait finishing the half with a goal.

Reagan, Langtry, the Stealth's Josh Sanderson and the Mammoth's Jay Jalbert traded goals in the third quarter. Gait scored again with the Stealth's Matt Ogelsby answering to end the quarter.

The Mammoth controlled the fourth quarter, outscoring the Stealth 5-1 in the final 15 minutes. Shaydon Santos scored the lone Stealth goal. Prout and Prepchuk scored a goal each and Gait scored three times as the game ended.

Gait, who won last season's National Lacrosse League MVP award after scoring a record 61 goals, began 2004 with a bang – his six goal tied his 2003 game high.

Nash made several big stops and was steady throughout, making 36 saves, while Prout displayed the deft playmaking skills that enticed Mammoth general manager Steve Govett to sign him this past off-season.

"The decision to go with Gee tonight was made by the coaching staff," said head coach Jamie Batley. "We've got three great goalies but it was a game-time decision to go with Gee."

None of the bad blood that led to a bench-clearing brawl last season when San Jose, then the Albany Attack, lost 19-16 at Pepsi Center, seemed to linger but Stealth defender Kelly Hall and Prout did fight just before halftime.

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