Highlights, Calgary Roughnecks vs Colorado Mammoth April 27, 2013
The end of the season and subsequent start of the National Lacrosse League playoffs is always an exciting time of year. With single elimination and nearly complete league parity, it’s anyone’s guess as to what might happen. In most sports, the seeding actually has meaning. Not so much in the NLL. It’s not uncommon for the 4th ranked team to take the 1st ranked team out in the first round of the playoffs and go all the way to win the Championship. In a season where road teams hold a slightly higher winning record overall, the Mammoth winning wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. Well, unless you look at their playoff record. They’re 4-8 overall and now 0-6 since they won the Champion’s Cup in 2006.
So, needless to say, going into this game, Mammoth fans probably weren’t the most expectant towards a win. Heck, even the Mammoth organization didn’t seem to expect a win. Zero fuss was made about the team making the playoffs. The game wasn’t going to be broadcast live, and although in the past the Mammoth have hosted viewing parties using the internet feed, this time there was just silence.
The Mammoth started off strong with an undefended Adam Jones scoring at the crease, followed a couple minutes later by John Grant Junior scoring a goal after deeking his defender. Not to be outdone, the Roughnecks began their charge with three goals in under two minutes to take the lead. The first quarter ends with Calgary 4, Mammoth 3. The Mammoth start the second quarter off strong with a highlight reel goal from Jones followed by a power play goal from Casey Powell to retake the lead. Throughout the second quarter, Calgary would tie the game, and the Mammoth would score for a one goal lead. The half ends with the game tied at 7.
And then the second half Mammoth showed up. Mammoth fans have become quite familiar with this second half team. They come out complacent, looking tired and like the game is already over. They have no spark, no fire, no hustle, no drive. And that’s when the Roughnecks took control. Despite the gift the Roughnecks gave the Mammoth of a 5 min major early in the third quarter, it was Calgary who scored, and again. “Wait, they keep scoring on us but we’re the ones on the power play?!” was actually uttered at the get together I hosted to watch the game. Pretty much the entire power play the Mammoth defense was out on the floor. And at one point, the Mammoth offense was actually playing 3:4 because two of the Mammoth offense had already trotted off the floor. While it’s not uncommon (and actually rather impressive for the defense) when a team is held scoreless on a 5 minute power play, at the very least, your offense should be on the floor more than your defense. If that’s not the case, and it wasn’t, you really need to reevaluate your strategy.
The Mammoth went scoreless for the entire third quarter, and essentially most of the fourth. Casey Powell scored less than 3 minutes into the fourth to break the drought but the only other goals the Mammoth would score were gimmie goals with less than two minutes remaining in the game. When it was obvious the game was nowhere within reach of the Mammoth, Calgary pulled Mike Poulin and put in Frankie Scigliano. So, yes, although Jones and JGJ scored two more for the score sheet, scoring two goals on a cold second year goalie who has played barely more than 24 minutes all season is completely pitiful. But then, Mammoth fans are rather used to watching this poor excuse of a team.
Now the big question, what do the Mammoth need to do for next year? Change up the coaching staff? Change up the management? Overhaul the team? All of these things? None of these things?
One thing is for sure is John Grant Junior is a cancer to this team. While he may be a shooting stud when he’s playing it up for the camera, he is not a team player and pulls the entire morale of the team down with his temper tantrums and lackadaisical play. While I hate to see him go, I think this is most likely John Gallant’s last season. I think he will be retiring, and rumors abound that Gavin Prout may be as well. Although, depending on who you believe, Prout may be being forced into retirement. Jarrett Park was not the playing up to his potential this year and Creighton Reid blows coverage left and right and really should not be on the team. The Mammoth offense is stacked. Once you get rid of Junior, they might become a cohesive unit again.
Final Score:
Colorado Mammoth 10, Calgary Roughnecks 15
Attendance: 8,726
1st Star – Mike Poulin, he kept the Mammoth to 8 goals. Definitely impressive.
2nd Star – Jeff Shatler, with 3 goals and 4 assists, Shatler was an important part of the Roughneck dominance.
3rd Star – Geoff Snider, with 22 loose balls, Snider gave the Roughnecks extra possession after extra possession.
Around the League
Philadelphia Wings 8, Rochester Knighthawks 10
Edmonton Rush 11, Washington Stealth 12
Minnesota Swarm, Toronto Rock
