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NLL Panther City Lacrosse Club

Panther City Overwhelms Colorado, 20 - 14

March 12, 2022 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Panther City Lacrosse Club News Release


Denver, Colorado - The Panther City Lacrosse Club (4-8) defeated the Colorado Mammoth (6-4), 20 - 14, at Ball Arena in Denver Friday night.

Rookie forward Patrick Dodds became the first player to record double-digit points for Panther City, as he notched five goals and dished out six assists to finish with 11 points. Forward Dean Fairall became just the third player in franchise history to record at least five goals, setting a new career high. They weren't the only ones getting in on the action, however, as Panther City had 10 different players score for the second straight game, including three defenders and the first goal of goaltender Nick Damude's career. The team's 20 goals were the most by Panther City this season, and the club became the first team to reach 20 goals in a game this year. The win also extends Panther City's win streak to three, the longest in Western Conference.

Defenseman Matt Hossack won 11 of his 17 faceoff attempts (65%), the best faceoff win percentage he has had when he has had at least 10 faceoff attempts in his career.

Panther City next heads north to take on the Calgary Roughnecks (3-6) on Saturday, March 19. Faceoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT at WestJet Field at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Quotes

Head Coach Tracey Kelusky

On the win tonight...

"Our approach. It is night and day. We have said it from day one, if you make this somewhere where you wanna be, and you are looking forward to the weekends to be around your teammates, then good things are going to happen. Guys lay it on the line, they go out and play, and they are accountable to one another and have a will to compete. Our approach all weekend was unbelievable, with all smiles on guys faces. We go out for a team dinner last night when we didn't have a practice and there are no clicks, everyone is hanging out with each other. Go to shootaround this morning, guys are loose, guys are having fun but when it is time to get serious, they dial in. Those are some really good signs for a young team and a team that hasn't played together. To be where we are now is impressive and there is a correlation with that and our success."

On the improved offense...

"We are unselfish and its by committee. [Forward Patrick] Dodds had another big night for us tonight. Dean Fairall had some unbelievably good goals. Cam Milligan's lacrosse IQ since we brought him in with his chatter on the bench and talking to the guys is impressive. Phil Caputo, Jeremy Thompson's energy up front with Nathan Grenon running around, it is really fun to watch and the best part of it all is guys are enjoying each other's successes. It is not about me, it's about we, and so we are having some success.

On the defensive adjustments at halftime...

"We made some adjustments at halftime. We were playing aggressive on ball and I thought we laid off the ball a little bit, which we wanted to do in the second half and absorb some of their picks. They were setting picks early and often and we were able to make a slight adjustment at half time and the guys did great. [Goalie Nick Damude] made big saves when we needed him too. It is by committee. Defensively, we are on a roll, and they are accountable for one another, and they are battling and that's what it is all about.

On the three-game win streak sending a message to the league...

"Look at our season as a whole- we have lost three one goal games. We have had a couple nights where we weren't very good, but we have lost three one goal games, so a little belief goes a long way. But it is back to the drawing board, that is the best thing about this group. Complacency can be your worst enemy and we have said from day one that we have to be better every time we step on the floor, and we certainly showed that tonight, but next week we have to be better again. What are the 'correctables', let's make sure we are fixing them, lets continue to grow and get better."

Forward Patrick Dodds (five goals, six assists tonight)

On his big performance tonight

"I think I go into every game hoping for the best. Hope to score as many goals as I can. Get as many apples [assists] as I can and tonight it just fell. The guys were putting it away as well, so it kind of worked out."

On the recent offensive hot streak

"I think we are finding our groove. Finally figuring out who likes to be where and where everyone is going to be at certain times. Finding that confidence and swagger for sure halfway through the season now. We are figuring it out. We are obviously young up on [offense], but we have great leaders behind us and our coaching staff coaches us as we go and lead us for sure."

On if this game sends a message to the rest of the league about the team

"Yeah, I think so. I think most of the league has us as an expansion team, easy two points, but I think now with this amazing group of guys that our coaching staff and Hammer [General Manager Bob Hamley] have put together we believe we can win any game we play. In the last few it has shown, putting up 17 [goals] and 20 [goals] in the last two. We are on a bit of a high right now, but obviously we have to hunker down next weekend and head into Calgary."

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