Andrew Leyshon
Different day, but the story is still the same. The Colorado Mammoth continue to struggle in several key areas and frustrations are running high from the fans through the organization. The game was rife with inconsistency. For every phenomenal play or save there was a ‘what the hell?’ moment.
The Positives
- Alex Gajic looked phenomenal scoring 5 goals on 8 shots plus 1 assist.
- Even though they were behind the entire game, the Mammoth didn’t lead in penalties.
- Mammoth scored twice on the power play and a shorthanded goal.
- It felt like the Mammoth didn’t give up like they have in previous games.
- Captain John Gallant was back in the lineup after being out for six weeks with a hand injury.
- Several shots hit the pipes, so the score could easily have been very different.
The Negatives
- Despite scoring twice on it, the Mammoth power play is struggling – at one point in the third quarter they had over 13 minutes worth of power play advantage including at least two 5 on 3 advantages and a penalty shot (that Jamie Shewchuck shot directly into Matt Disher’s chest) without finding the back of the net once.
- The goalies seemed like a revolving door with both goalies playing well, but not at the top of their game resulting in a total of five goalie changes. Chris Levis started the game, Andrew Leyshon played the majority of it as well as finished it.
- Shot Selection
- Although Disher made some phenomenal saves, many were right at his chest.
- The Mammoth scored 9 goals on 54 shots (17%) while the Rush scored 13 goals on 50 shots (including an empty netter) (26%).
- Previous years’ top scorers are not producing but leading the team in shots on goal
- Brian Langtry only had 1 goal on 11 shots, 4 assists (9%).
- Jamie Shewchuck had 2 goal on 13 shots, 1 assist (15%)
- The offense became very predictable, showing a pattern in their passing in front of the goal.
- Defense struggled in the 4th quarter to keep the Edmonton Rush away from the net
- Refereeing continues to be inconsistent however, it’s to both teams benefit and detriment
- The Rush consistently pushed their luck with line changes taking place causing as many as 7-8 players to be on the field during plays, however, they only had one delayed penalty that the Mammoth were successful in scoring on.
- 2 week breaks are proving to be a big factor… and the Mammoth head into their third since February 5
Final Score – Colorado Mammoth 9, Edmonton Rush 13
Attendance: 14, 566
Around the league:
Friday:
Buffalo Bandits 11, Toronto Rock 10 OT
Philadelphia Wings 9, Orlando Titans 11
Saturday:
Washington Stealth 12, Calgary Roughnecks 11
Orlando Titans 9, Rochester Knighthawks 4
Buffalo Bandits 9, Boston Blazers 8 OT
Minnesota Swarm 11, Philadelphia Wings 20
