Stealth Fall To Defending Champions 13-12
April 12, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
San Jose Stealth News Release
(San Jose, CA, April 12, 2007) --- The San Jose Stealth found themselves on the wrong end of a one goal game tonight, falling to the defending NLL Champions, Colorado Mammoth, 13-12 at the Pepsi Center in Colorado.
Noticeably missing from the line-up were Stealth leading scorer Jeff Zywicki and starting Goaltender Anthony Cosmo. Zywicki is suffering from the flu and Cosmo was unable to make the trip to Colorado because of a work commitment with his teaching job in Ontario.
Stepping up in Zywicki's absence was fellow sophomore sensation Luke Wiles, who paced the Stealth attack with a franchise record-tying ten points on four goals and six assists. Wiles notched four goals on four shots for a perfect shooting percentage on the night, while Doyle added six points on two goals and four assists. Aaron Bold recorded his first start of the season in goal, posting forty-nine saves against the highest scoring team in the Western Division.
Colorado was led by Captain Gavin Prout who registered nine points on three goals and six assists. With the win, the Mammoth clinches the Western Division Title.
The Stealth showcased the power of their special teams, holding the Mammoth to two for nine with the man advantage, while scoring on four of their six power play opportunities. San Jose currently has the top ranked penalty kill in the NLL, shutting down opposing power plays sixty-four percent of the time.
Colorado sparked the first period scoring, notching two goals within the first minute and adding another at 9:24, but San Jose would fire back with four straight goals to take control of the game. Defenders Steve Holmes and Darren Halls each added their second goals of the season, while Luke Wiles and Callum Crawford scored their 24th and ninth respectively to give the Stealth a 4-3 lead at the end of the first. Things looked promising for the Stealth who had a 8-1 record when leading after the initial period.
After holding Colorado scoreless on their first four power play attempts, the Stealth gave up their first power play goal of the night eleven seconds into the second quarter. Colorado rattled three more tallies to take a 7-4 lead before Colin Doyle sparked a Stealth scoring drive. Doyle's goal was followed by two Stealth power play goals by Wiles and Doyle to tie the game at seven. Barreling his way down the center of the field, Mammoth Defender Jamie Hanford scored his second goal of the season with forty seconds remaining in the half to give Colorado the 8-7 lead going into the dressing room.
Gary Rosyski scored the first goal of the third quarter, tying the game 8-8 at 1:04. Colorado responded eight seconds later when Josh Sims regained the lead for Colorado at 1:12. Luke Wiles added his third goal of the night at 4:15 when he knotted the score at nine. The scoring settled and tempers flared as neither team scored for the remained of the period.
The fourth quarter started with a goal by Gavin Prout, at 4:27, followed by a Stealth tally by Callum Crawford. Colorado then scored back-to-back goals by Dan Carey and Brian Langtry to take a 12-10 lead. Ex-Stealth player Jim Moss who was traded to Colorado in February, added insult to injury when he netted his first goal of the night on a breakaway to give the Mammoth a three goal cushion at 8:37. The Stealth attempted a come-back with goals by Wiles and Sedgwick, but were unable to tie the game after pulling their goalie for an extra attacker. The Mammoth would hang on to win 13-12.
The Stealth (8-7) and Mammoth (12-3) return to San Jose tomorrow night for their second game in this home-and-home series. This will be the final home game for the Stealth who will host Fan Appreciation Night at HP Pavilion tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 12, 2007
- Stealth Fall To Defending Champions 13-12 - San Jose Stealth
- Mammoth tops Stealth, claims West Division title - Colorado Mammoth
- New York Titans Play Final 2007 Game at Toronto Rock Saturday - Orlando Titans
- Sting Wrap Up Regular Season With Two Huge Games This Weekend - Arizona Sting
- Rock Wrap Up Regular Season With A Must-Win Game Vs. NY Titans - Toronto Rock
- Down to the final whistle for the Riggers - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rush in hunt for final playoff spot - Edmonton Rush
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