West wins 2006 NLL All-Star Game, 14-13
Published on February 25, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
The West Division was victorious in the 2006 NLL All-Star Game, in front of a crowd of 15,924 fans at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday. The East held a 13-9 lead in the fourth quarter, but Portland goaltender Dallas Eliuk and the West defense held their opposition scoreless for the final 12 minutes of the game, as the rest of the West stars rallied for five consecutive goals to win the game. Calgary's Lewis Ratcliff was named Game MVP, as he scored four goals, including the game-winner with 4.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
With Eliuk pulled for the extra attacker, Ratcliff corralled a behind-the-back pass from Colorado's Gavin Prout to score the game-winner. Edmonton's Cam Bergman had tied the game three minutes earlier, scoring a breakaway goal on a full-floor pass from Eliuk.
The win is the first ever for the West stars. The East was victorious in the previous two All-Star Games under the current format, at Pepsi Center in Colorado in 2004 and Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary last season.
The West was led offensively by Calgary's Lewis Ratcliff (4 goals), Calgary's Tracey Kelusky (2 goals, 1 assist), as well as Colorado's Dan Carey (2 goals, 1 assist) and Jay Jalbert (1 goal, 5 assists).
San Jose's Anthony Cosmo (24 saves, 7 goals against) and Dallas Eliuk (17 saves, 6 goals against) split time in goal for the West. Eliuk, who is the only player in league history to play in every All-Star Game, was credited the win and now has a perfect 6-0 record.
The East was led by Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis (2 goals, 2 assists), Philadelphia's Glenn Clark (2 goals, 1 assist), and Rochester's John Grant (2 goals). Seven others scored one goal apiece for the East, including hometown favorite Colin Doyle (1 goal, 2 assists), as well as Philadelphia's Thomas Hajek (1 goal, 2 assists) and Jake Bergey (1 goal, 2 assists).
Rochester's Pat O'Toole (26 saves, 7 goals against) and Buffalo's Steve Dietrich (27 saves, 7 goals against) split time in goal.
The 2006 regular season resumes next weekend with six games on the schedule.
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 25, 2006
- Mammoth players shine as West wins NLL All-Star Game - Colorado Mammoth
- Dallas Continues All-Star Winning Streak to 6-0 - Portland Lumberjax
- East loses nailbiter to West in NLL All-Star Game Showdown - Toronto Rock
- West wins 2006 NLL All-Star Game, 14-13 - NLL
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