Sting Fall To Mammoth 13-12 in West Divisional Final
Published on April 29, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Arizona Sting News Release
DENVER, COLORADO --- The Arizona Sting were eliminated from NLL playoff contention Saturday afternoon at the Pepsi Center in Denver as they fell victim to the Colorado Mammoth by a score of 13-12. The Mammoth were led offensively by Gavin Prout, who registered 1G-5A-6P in the contest; Peter Veltman and Craig Conn had strong games for the Sting, scoring 2 and 4 goals respectively. The Sting were behind 9-7 at halftime but took a 10-9 lead in the third quarter on the strength of three straight goals by Conn to open the period. Colorado outscored Arizona 2-1 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win. Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash made 48 saves in the game, including several spectacular stops late in the game to secure the victory for Colorado.
"We definitely had our chances late in the game to tie it up," said All-Star defenseman Scott Self. "Gee Nash had a great game and we have to give credit where credit is due. This is a great bunch of guys here in the Sting locker room though, and we'll definitely be back for another kick at the can next season."
Craig Conn opened the game's scoring by plowing through Colorado's defense and unleashing a lethal shot past goaltender Gee Nash to net an unassisted goal 3:47 into the first quarter. The Mammoth responded quickly, with Gavin Prout scoring on the subsequent Colorado possession to tie the game at one apiece. The Mammoth took the lead midway through the opening period, with Chris Gill netting a power play goal at the 7:18 mark of the frame. Peter Veltman then tied the game at two apiece 0:32 later on the third playoff goal of his career. The dangerous Colorado transition game then struck, with Brian Langtry scoring on a pass from Jay Jalbert to give the Mammoth a 3-2 lead at the 8:43 mark of the first period. The scored was made 4-2 in favor of the home team by Andrew Burkholder, who beat Sting goalie Rob Blasdell with a low shot with 4:58 remaining in the first. University of Denver alumnus Matt Brown then pulled the Sting to within one of the Mammoth lead 2:43 later, firing a hard shot that eluded Gee Nash's stick and found the back of the Colorado net. Brown's tally proved to be the final goal of the first quarter, as both teams' defenses stood their ground in the closing minutes of the frame.
Colorado's transition struck again early in the second quarter, with Dan Carey finishing off a pretty passing play to make the score 5-3 in favor of the Mammoth. The Colorado lead was extended to three goals by Andrew Burkholder shortly thereafter on a questionable goal that appeared to strike the crossbar and come back out. Lindsay Plunkett scored the fourth Arizona goal of the night with a nifty over-the-shoulder shot that Gee Nash was unable to stop. The Mammoth offense continued to produce, however, with Captain Gavin Prout setting up Josh Sims for his second goal of the post-season at the 2:50 mark of the second period. Speedy Sting defender Chris Seller then scored on a breakaway that was set up by a long pass from Rob Blasdell to pull Arizona to within two of the Colorado lead. Wily veteran Mark Cochrane picked an excellent time to net his first goal of 2006, as he received a pass from Chris McKay and tucked a well-placed shot underneath Gee Nash's right goal pad to pull the Sting to within a single goal of the Mammoth. Colorado re-established a two goal advantage on their next possession, however, as Brian Langtry made the score 8-6 with his second tally of the match with 7:11 remaining in the first half. Peter Veltman scored 0:52 later to make the score 8-7, but Chris Gill's power play goal in the final minute of the second quarter gave Colorado a 9-7 lead as the game went into half time.
The third quarter opened in identical fashion to the first, with Craig Conn scoring a goal 1:50 into the period. Conn then scored two more goals, giving Arizona a 10-9 lead on his fourth of the game 3:55 into the second half. The Mammoth tied the game at ten 7:04 into the third quarter, with Nick Carlson managing to beat Rob Blasdell on his way to the floor following a crushing hit delivered by defenseman Greg Hinman. Colorado took the lead on a goal by Dan Stroup with 2:58 remaining in the third period, but Scott Self re-tied the match 0:38 later on his first goal of the playoffs. Self's tally made the score 11-11 as the third quarter came to an end.
Nick Carlson scored on a breakaway to open the fourth quarter, giving the Mammoth a 12-11 lead in the process. Colorado established a two-goal advantage after Dan Carey scored his second goal of the game at the 4:24 mark of the fourth period. Dan Dawson's first goal of the afternoon pulled the Sting to within a single goal of the Mammoth lead with 6:43 remaining in regulation. That would be as close as the Sting would get, however, as Colorado goaltender Gee Nash stood on his head for the remainder of the fourth period, repeatedly denying the Sting on quality scoring chances. Sting Head Coach/General Manager Bob Hamley saw Nash as being the deciding factor in an extremely close game.
"We have nothing to be ashamed of," said Hamley. "Our guys battled hard and we easily could have won that game with an extra break or two. We definitely outplayed them in the second half. Gee Nash played as well in the fourth quarter as I've ever seen him play and he was the difference in the game, that's for sure. I'm really proud of our guys for playing hard and never giving up this season, even when things weren't going our way. There's a lot of talent on this roster and we'll definitely be back in the playoffs next season."
The Mammoth will play the winner of Saturday night's contest between the Buffalo Bandits and Rochester Knighthawks for the NLL Champion's Cup on May 13.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 29, 2006
- Buffalo to host Colorado in NLL Championship Game on May 13th - NLL
- Mammoth advances to NLL championship game in Buffalo - Colorado Mammoth
- Tickets now on sale for Champion's Cup Final - Buffalo Bandits
- NLL's millionth fan honored at Mammoth game - Colorado Mammoth
- Mammoth advances to NLL championship game - Colorado Mammoth
- Sting Fall To Mammoth 13-12 in West Divisional Final - Arizona Sting
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