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Portland Seeks Back-To-Back Wins

February 20, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, February 20, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax are all for being accommodating and friendly. Last Sunday, however, the Jax (2-5) were anything but civil to the visiting Edmonton Rush. Portland dominated every facet of the game, dropping a deluge of shots on two overworked Rush goalies en route to the team's most impressive win of the season, 14-8.

On Friday, February 22, Portland will look to make it back-to-back wins as the Calgary Roughnecks (2-4) cross the border onto Jax soil at 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden Arena.

Against Edmonton, three Jax players recorded hat tricks. Defenseman Brodie Merrill, known to fill the stat sheet with loose balls collected, scored three goals and added an assist. He was named the National Lacrosse League's transition Player of the Week for his efforts.

Forward Ryan Powell scored three goals and added an assist. The three goals give him 47 for his Jax career, tying him once again with forward Peter Morgan for the franchise lead.

Forward "Dangerous" Dan Dawson unleashed himself, scoring three goals and adding six assists. His nine points tied him with P. Morgan for a franchise-high, but more importantly, Dawson made history with his final goal of the game.

That goal was Dawson's 200th of his career, putting him with elite company. Dawson became only the 30th player in NLL history to accomplish the feat, partnering him with the likes of John Grant and Gary Gait.

On the defensive side, Portland's staunch defense left Edmonton little opportunity to maneuver, let alone control the ball. Defenseman Pat Jones won 20 of 26 face-offs, setting the stage for the blowout win.

In goal, Matt King eased in with an early and comfortable lead, stopping 32 of the 40 shots he faced. The veteran netminder was never pressed, as a 3-1 Portland lead grew to 7-3. 7-3 then rose to 11-6 before the Jax capped the game off with a 14-8 beat down of the winless and last place Rush.

In the impressive win, Portland set many season-high's. The 14 goals scored were a season-high. Only allowing eight goals was a season-best. The 81 shots and 56 shots on goal Portland put together not only overwhelmed the outmatched Rush, but they were also season-high's.

Overall, the visiting Roughnecks hold a 3-1 series lead over the Jax. Portland's lone win came last season on 3/30/07 as the Jax edged the Roughnecks 13-12 in the City of Roses.

Portland is looking to avenge a 13-6 loss to Calgary on Jan. 26. The game was the Jax's first road game of the season and also the first of four straight away from the Garden. In the loss, forward Derek Malawsky led all Portland scorers with four points (2 goals, 2 assists). Dawson scored two goals added an assist. Nine of Calgary's 13 goals came from three players.

This is the second of four consecutive games against sub .500 competition as Portland looks to continue its ascent up the standings in the West Division.

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