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NLL Colorado Mammoth

Middle Quarters Plague Mammoth in Road Loss

January 10, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - For the third consecutive game, a scoreless drought in the second and third quarters left Colorado trailing. A week ago, the Mammoth was able to overcome being held goalless for more than 18 minutes in a home win. Not the case on Friday night in Calgary, as two John Grant Jr. goals came nearly 19 minutes apart. Separated between them was a third quarter in which Colorado was blanked. The Mammoth (1-2) lost, 13-11.

"We came out flat in the third quarter," said head coach Bob Hamley. "They scored early on us, and that was the difference in the game. We were a little flat-footed and [the ball] ended up in the back of our net."

The Roughnecks (1-1) chased Mammoth starting goaltender Tye Belanger from the game, scoring eight goals in the first 24:17. Rookie Dillon Ward came on in relief, just as he's done in every contest this season. And just as he'd done in both previous games, Ward proved why he was the first goalie drafted in the top-three selections in 14 years. He allowed just three goals in more than 35 minutes of action.

"[Dillon] did it again - he gave us a chance!" said Hamley. "That's all we can ask of him in that situation."

After Colorado started the game with two quick goals from Drew Westervelt and Joel Dalgarno, Calgary responded with four straight. The Mammoth took a 5-4 lead on a Sean Pollock power-play tally 2:17 into the second, only to see the Roughnecks answer with five of their own.

"We got off to a decent start, and then fell behind on their transition goals," said Westervelt. "We got away from what was working for us early."

Brothers Bob (Colorado) and Geoff (Calgary) Snider competed head-to-head at the face-off circle for much of the night. Bob won 14 of 27 attempts; Geoff recorded 14 wins on 26 draws.

"Geoff's the top guy in the league and has been for a bit," said Bob. "I've honed my skills to try to compete with him. He and I usually have good battles."

Following an empty-net goal by Geoff Snider to boost Calgary's lead to 13-9 with 2:24 left in regulation, Colorado made it interesting with scores from Adam Jones and Jordan McBride. For the Mammoth, the final horn came too soon.

Pollock led Colorado with his second hat-trick of the season. Grant, Jones and Westervelt had two goals apiece. Dalgarno and McBride had the other goals for the visitors.

Dane Dobbie and Jeff Shattler paced Calgary with four goals each.

The Mammoth takes on the Edmonton Rush at Rexall Place on Saturday night at 7pm MT. The game will be broadcast live online on The Lacrosse Network on YouTube, and will air on delay on television on Altitude Sports.

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