Rebel Game Notes
April 11, 2003 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Ottawa Rebel News Release
Game notes for the National Lacrosse League game on Saturday, April 12 at the Civic Centre between the Ottawa Rebel (4-11) and the Columbus Landsharks (7-8). Please note that the game begins at 4 p.m. The original start time of 7 p.m. was changed so the lacrosse game start would not conflict with the start of Game 2 of the NHL playoff between the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders.
AND NOW ... THE END IS NEAR
The Ottawa Rebel, a club which has never qualified for post-season play in its seven-year history, completes its final game of the 2003 season this afternoon against the Columbus Landsharks.
The Rebel got pounded 26-16 during the team's most recent game, March 30 at the Penngrowth Saddledome in Calgary, losing its seventh consecutive match.
Ottawa coach Terry Sanderson lambasted his players following the game, accusing his charges of quitting during the later stages of the defeat.
The 26 goals were the most scored against the Rebel during the three years the team has called Ottawa its home.
During the first season of Rebel lacrosse, Buffalo beat Ottawa 25-14 in Buffalo on Feb. 3, 2001.
The Rebel, however, was spared at least one indignity. The 10-goal differential was not the largest losing margin in Rebel history. That mark stands at 11.
Ottawa had a chance against Calgary, down 11-9 when Kevin Howard scored a power play goal at 5:02 of the third quarter. But as has been the case so often during the 2003 season, a horrid third crushed the Rebel as the Roughnecks outscored Ottawa 6-1 during the final seven minutes of the period.
The Rebel was outscored 8-2 in the third against Calgary. This season, Ottawa has allowed 57 goals and has scored only 40 during the third period.
During the team's seven-game losing skid, the Rebel has been outscored 29-15 in the third quarter. Only during one game has the Rebel scored more goals than its opponents in the third during the current skid -- March 8 at the Civic Centre against the Vancouver Ravens when Ottawa bested its opponents 5-4 in the third.
Jason Clark scored six goals for the Rebel, while Mat Giles added three. Kevin Dostie was the only other multi-goal scorer for Ottawa with a pair. Singles came from Brad Self, Kevin Howard, Scott Self, Stephen Evans and Jamie Roy.
HIGH FIVE ... OR FOUR ON THE FLOOR ???
A win this afternoon would give Ottawa its fifth win of the season which, incredibly, would set a franchise record for most victories in a season. No team in the history of the Syracuse Smash / Ottawa Rebel franchise has ever won five games.
The yearly records:
1998 Syracuse 2-10
1999 Syracuse 3-9
2000 Syracuse 1-11
2001 Ottawa 1-13
2002 Ottawa 4-12
2003 Ottawa 4-11 (one game left)
The Rebel victory this afternoon would eliminate Columbus from post-season contention.
"We should rebound (from the loss in Calgary) and give the Landsharks a real battle," said coach Sanderson.
"We're miles ahead of last year," said Sanderson. "I know it doesn't show in the win column but we've made some strides."
Columbus coach Bob Hamley said the Rebel will be hungry to end the season on positive note, especially after being trashed by Calgary.
"Terry's team is coming off a tough loss and I'm sure they're going to be hungry and want to play the spoiler," said Hamley.
REBEL RUMBLINGS
The loss in Calgary meant the Rebel finished the season winless in six games against fellow Northern Division foes... Ottawa is 2-6 all-time in games decided by one goal. The Rebel has lost two games by a single goal this season: @ New Jersey on March 15, and @ Columbus on Jan. 3 during a 14-13 final... The Rebel finished the season 1-7 away from Ottawa and with six consecutive road losses. Ottawa did not win on the road since Jan. 4 against the New York Saints... Thank God for the Saints. With a record of 2-13, the Saints are assured of completing the season with the worst record in the NLL, sparing the Rebel of another indignity... Ottawa forward Mat Giles leads the club with 55 points, one ahead of Jason Clark. Giles lead the Rebel with 32 goals. Clark ranks second with 29... Giles (3G, 4 A) and Clark (6 G, 1 A) had seven points each @ Calgary, equalled a team season high set by Clark, Jan. 11 vs. Colorado and Stephen Evans, Jan. 4 @ New York.
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