Sting Feel Rush of Victory Again
March 5, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Arizona Sting News Release
EDMONTON, ALBERTA --- The Arizona Sting defeated the expansion Edmonton Rush on Saturday night, scoring 5 fourth quarter goals to pull out the win in a back-and-forth contest which saw a great deal of action at both ends of the turf.
Pat Maddalena led the way for the Sting, scoring 4 goals and adding 2 assists for 6 points. Maddalena thought the effort demonstrated the true grit of his team.
"We showed everyone what we're made of tonight," said Maddalena. "This team the talent and the confidence to win every game, and when we work hard like we did tonight, the results produce themselves."
Edmonton came out of the gate with three quick goals by Kerry Susheski, Chris Stachniak, and Kevin Howard. Dan Dawson put the Sting on the board at 9:23 of the first quarter with his 10th goal of the season to cut Edmonton's lead to two. Peter Lough then set up Chris Seller for his third goal of the season on a two-on-one break to pull the Sting to within a single goal. Jason Crosbie tied the game at three on an impressive individual effort with 6:34 remaining in the opening frame. The Rush regained the lead 2:25 later on Kevin Howard's second tally of the night. Edmonton out shot Arizona 12-11 in the first quarter to earn their 4-3 lead.
Pat Maddelena got the second quarter started with a power play goal 1:39 into the frame. Edmonton responded with a goal by Colin Sherbanuk before Matt Brown scored for a third consecutive game to make the score 5-5. Peter Gut scored on a bizarre play with just under five minutes remaining in the first half to give Edmonton a 6-5 advantage. Goaltender Rob Blasdell, making his first start for Arizona away from Glendale Arena, was beaten to a loose ball by Gut, who proceeded to beat makeshift goaltender Chris McKay on a low shot to earn his first goal of the season. Pat Maddalena notched his second of the night just over one minute later to tie the game at six. Jonas Derks gave the Sting their first lead of the night with 1:41 remaining in the second quarter on a feed from Dan Dawson. Dawson then scored on a feed from Derks with 15 seconds remaining to make the score 8-6 in Arizona's favor as the first half came to an end. Dawson feels that this game was key to restoring his team's confidence after losing three straight matches in February.
"This was a big game for sure," said Dawson. "We knew we had to win this in order to keep pace in the West Division, and we played well as a team late in the game and came out on top."
The second half opened in a more defensive mode, with both teams playing well in their own zones. Chris Seller scored his second goal of the night 6:31 into the second half to extend upon Arizona's lead. Matt Giles responded with a goal for the Rush with 6:47 remaining in the third quarter and Tyler Heavenor tied the game 9-9 with just under four minutes left in the frame. Pat Maddalena completed his hat trick 24 seconds later, however, to give the Sting a 10-9 lead that lasted less than two minutes, as Kerry Susheski scored on a breakaway near the end of the period to tie the game at ten going into the fourth quarter.
Veteran defender Mark Cochrane, playing his first game for the team since coming off of the Retired List on Febreary 21, felt his debut went well.
"At the start of the game, I felt a little bit rusty," said Cochrane. "Once I got a few shifts under my belt, though, it felt like I never left. It was nice to win my first game back and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."
Team Captain Peter Lough scored his first goal of the season nine seconds into the fourth quarter with a man down to give Arizona a precarious 11-10 lead early in the frame. Pat Maddalena continued his torrid scoring pace, however, netting a fourth tally on the power play with 9:37 remaining in regulation time. Maddalena assisted on a goal by Jonas Derks 2:46 later to give the Sting a 13-10 advantage. Kevin Howard then scored his third goal to make the score 13-11 with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Jason Crosbie sealed the victory for Arizona with his second goal of the game with less than two minutes remaining in the second half. Rookie Andrew Lazore scored the first goal of his career with Rush goalie Dwight Maetche pulled in favor of an extra attacker to end the game and give the Sting a much needed 15-11 victory.
Head Coach/General Manager Bob Hamley gave credit to his special teams for pulling out the win over Edmonton. Arizona went 4 for 7 on the power play and added a pair of short-handed goals in the game.
"Special teams in this league are huge," said Hamley. "If you're able to shut down an opponents' power play while capitalizing on your own, you're going to win more often then not. This was a win we really needed, and we're looking forward to our next game."
Rob Blasdell earned the victory in goal for Arizona, making 43 saves on the night and holding the Rush to a single goal in the fourth quarter. Blasdell gave credit to his teammates for the win.
"My defense played unbelievably in front of me tonight," said Blasdell. "When guys are making big plays out there in front of me, it makes my job a lot easier."
The Sting will face the Rush for a second time next Friday, March 10, at the Glendale Arena. Game time is 7:30 PM.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 5, 2006
- Sting Feel Rush of Victory Again - Arizona Sting
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