Colorado holds Edmonton to only four goals

Rout also secures playoff host role

By Paul Willis, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

In a league that seemingly specializes in games decided by one goal, the Colorado Mammoth had a much-needed laugher Friday night.

The Mammoth walloped the visiting Edmonton Rush 15-4 at the Pepsi Center, clinching at least one home playoff game and setting an abundance of team superlatives in the process.

Colorado allowed the fewest goals in its history, trumping the previous best of six. For a while, it appeared Colorado would challenge the overall National Lacrosse League record of two goals allowed, set by the Toronto Rock in the 1999 postseason.

"Basically, we had a really disappointing week last week in New York (a 14-10 loss)," said Mammoth forward Jamie Shewchuk, who had four goals and three assists. "We had to wait six days for this game, and this proved we were ready to get back to what was making us successful."

After spotting the Rush a 1-0 lead, Colorado exploded for the next 14 goals, with Edmonton (4-10) finally ending a 40-minute, 33-second scoring drought in the final minute of the third quarter.

The Mammoth (8-6), which travels to Edmonton tonight for the back end of the home-and-home series, also established a team mark for fewest goals allowed in a half when Edmonton managed one in the first.

The Mammoth defensive corps was just as much responsible as goaltender Gee Nash for the mark, as Edmonton was limited to 12 shots in the half.

"When the game's over and you look up at the scoreboard and see only four on the board, you know it's a job well-done," said defenseman Tom Ethington, who was involved in a rare fight but won against Edmonton's Chris McElroy.

Mammoth captain Gavin Prout had a game-best seven assists, vaulting his season total to 63 with two games to play. He is eight short of the NLL record set by Toronto's Josh Sanderson in 2005.

Brian Langtry scored two goals to give him 149 with the Mammoth, equaling Gary Gait's team mark.

Tempering the Mammoth's joy was a right ankle sprain to transition player Josh Sims that most likely will prevent him from playing tonight.

Mammoth 15, Rush 4

Edmonton1 0 1 2 - 4

Colorado6 5 3 1 - 15

Edmonton (goals-assists) - Hominuck 1-1, Quinlan 1-1, Thenhaus 1-0, Grimes 1-0, Daly 0-2, Teat 0-1, Hawksbee 0-1.

Colorado - Shewchuk 4-3, Carlson 3-0, Wulder 2-2, Langtry 2-2, Prossner 2-1, Prout 1-7, C. K. Gill 1-4, Gajic 0-2, Sims 0-1, Bloom 0-1, C. S. Gill 0-1.

Goaltenders - Edmonton, Palidwor (L 4-7), 19 shots, 12 saves; King 33-25. Colorado, Nash (W 7-4), 35-31. A - 18.301.