Mammoth Face Former Captain in Home Opener
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Some Mammoth fans will be in for quite a surprise Saturday when the Edmonton Rush visit the Pepsi Center for Colorado’s home opener. As part of their off season overhaul, the Mammoth traded Captain Gavin Prout to the Rochester Knighthawks. The same trade that brought Ilija Gajic to Colorado. Rochester later traded Prout to the Edmonton Rush.
As would be expected, the Mammoth hate to lose. They especially hate to lose at home. After last week’s devastating loss to the Washington Stealth, the Mammoth have a lot to prove. What better place to do it than one of the loudest houses in the NLL?
The Edmonton Rush, playing the second game of a back-to-back series, also have a lot to prove.
In four seasons, the Rush have yet to make it to the playoffs, but after making numerous changes in the off season as well, they are hoping to change that this year. Ironically enough, two of their biggest acquisitions were former Mammoth players, although Prout was the only one who wore a Mammoth jersey. The second acquisition, Ryan Powell, was not a Mammoth player for long. Powell was originally acquired during the off season by the New York Titans in the dispersal draft after the Portland Lumberjax disbanded. He was then traded to the Mammoth who later traded him to the Rush.
The Rush will be opening their season against the Stealth, who will be playing their second home game of the season. In the NLL it’s not uncommon for teams to play what’s referred to as a “barn to barn” where the same teams play back to back games, one in each “barn”. However, once in awhile a team gets the short end of the stick and plays two different teams back to back.
This could either be good or bad for the Mammoth.
Because the Rush have not played yet this season, their game against the Stealth will provide them an opportunity to work out any kinks before coming to Denver. However, playing back-to-back games against two strong opponents can also make for an exhausted team. Because of that, it’s not uncommon for a team to split a few of their key players, only having them play in one game or the other.
Curtis Palidwor, who started last week against the Stealth was put on injured reserve after taking a ball to the face mask that damaged its cage and broke the bone surrounding his left eye. This leaves the Mammoth with last year’s starting goalie Andrew Leyshon and 3rd-string rookie Neil Tyacke. Although a rookie, many Mammoth fans are curious to see how Tyacke will do in net after recording a 78% save percentage with a Canadian team, the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
With one of the highest average attendances in the league, the Mammoth expect a packed house. Tickets may still be available and start at just $5 per seat. Game time is at 7 pm MST, and will also be aired on Altitude.
Brutal loss. Looked like a second half comeback, but it just petered out in the fourth.
Mammoth definitely have some issues they need to work out, hopefully sooner than later.