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NLL Colorado Mammoth

Mammoth win thriller over Bandits in OT

April 3, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth defeated the Buffalo Bandits 12-11 in overtime at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York on Saturday night, improving its record to 3-0 in the extra frame this year. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for Colorado and ended a four-game winning streak for Buffalo.

Colorado got on the board first as Mammoth forward Alex Gajic scored 1:05 into the game. Buffalo matched with a goal by Mike Accursi at the 4:24 mark. The Mammoth finished the quarter well with two unanswered goals. The first came at the 9:45 mark as forward Jamie Shewchuk beat his man on a drive from the wing, then tucked the ball past Buffalo goalie Mike Thompson. The second came less than a minute later on a power play as forward Brian Langtry found Gajic on a behind-the-back pass, who then shot the ball into the top right corner to finish the quarter 3-1.

The Mammoth continued to add to its momentum as Langtry and Gajic scored in the early-going of the second quarter. Thompson was pulled in favor of rookie Angus Goodleaf, who then gave up a goal to Mammoth transition player Jed Prossner four minutes later to run the Colorado lead to five. The Bandits stole some momentum as forward Brandon Francis got the crowd back into the game by leaving Mammoth defenseman Ryan McFadyen bloodied after landing a right hook in a heavy-weight fight. Shortly thereafter, Buffalo got back on the board after being held scoreless for more than 21 minutes as forward John Tavares caught a tight feed, then patiently freed his hands for a crafty shot past Mammoth goalie Chris Levis. The Bandits' Mark Steenhuis added one more goal before the half to bring the score to 6-3 through 30 minutes.

Colorado came out flat in the second half, drawing two early penalties. Buffalo capitalized on both, with back-to-back goals by forward Kevin Dostie. Colorado answered back and matched with a pair of its own goals, the first by Shewchuk, his second of the night. The second came just 23 seconds later as Prossner ripped a shot from the top left corner to extend the Mammoth's lead to 8-6.

The Bandits answered at the start of the final frame as Kevin Dostie completed a hat trick with a dive shot from behind the goal. The Bandits brought it to within one with a transition goal by Steenhuis. Colorado added three more goals in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to four. But Buffalo never quit, scoring four goals in the final 1:26 of regulation including the equalizer from Bucktooth, his third in a span of 1:13, to force overtime.

In overtime, Colorado capitalized on a turnover during Buffalo's second possession. Captain John Gallant wrangled in a high rebound off a Bandits shot, then turned and found transition player Nick Carlson all alone, ahead of the Buffalo defense. Carlson faked high, then snuck the game-winning goal past Goodleaf to give the Mammoth the victory 1:25 into the extra frame.

Colorado's last win was on Saturday, January 23 at Philadelphia. The win was the first for Bob Hamley as Mammoth head coach. Colorado completes its four-game road trip with a doubleheader next weekend at Edmonton and Calgary before returning home on April 16 to take on the Boston Blazers. Tickets are on sale now.

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