If you would have told most people familiar with the National Lacrosse League that the Mammoth would end the season 0-8 at home, you probably would have been laughed at. Until this season, the Mammoth have been very successful at home, winning the vast majority of their games at Pepsi Center, and coming to Denver was intimidating for other clubs.
The intimidation factor seems to have been diluted greatly, and not just by the losing record.
Whereas it was once overwhelming to play in what is often cited as the loudest house in lacrosse, as players have matured and played here more frequently, it became less of a factor. Especially after it was eventually proven that the Mammoth could be beat at home and their fans silenced.
The Colorado Mammoth’s final game against the Calgary Roughnecks was hard-fought, with several reviewed goals so close they required an astute eye and easily could have gone either way.
The Mammoth went into the game fighting to end their season on a high note and break their home losing streak. The Roughnecks on the other hand were fighting to stay in the race for a home playoff game.
Chris Levis really seems to have found his groove in the second half of the season, making unbelievable saves left and right throughout this game. Whereas it seemed like the Mammoth offense gave Mike Poulin more easy goals to block than not, the Roughnecks made Levis stand on his head all game.
Power plays have been the Mammoth’s bane this year. They have been unable to convert when on the power play (worse, they have given up fourteen short-handed goals this season), and unable to kill the penalty. Last night was much better. They went 2 for 3 and kept Calgary to 1 for 3 including a 5 minute major given to Ryan McFadyen for high sticking in the 4th quarter.
Jed Prossner continued to look strong, notching three goals on 10 shots. Meanwhile Jamie Shewchuck, Cliff Smith and Jamie Floris each scored twice. In his second game back, Ilija Gajic went 1 for 2.
Overall, the game remained close, never getting more than a couple goals either way in either team’s favor.
As the clock wound down, it certainly looked like it was going to truly come down to the wire and head into overtime after Jed Prossner scored on an extra attacker play to tie the game with only 47 seconds left. Unfortunately for the Mammoth, in what is bound to be considered a controversial review, Scott Ranger’s goal with 15 seconds left was determined to be good and the Mammoth were unable to tie it up despite winning the face off. Final score, Calgary Roughnecks 11, Colorado Mammoth 10
While the Mammoth were unable to give their fans a win, they certainly made Fan Appreciation Night special by going above and beyond just the usual in-game giveaways. To start off the night, the fans who purchased the charity auction Blackout jerseys got to run out on the field with their respective players and even run down the line fist-bumping everyone. To end the night, 23 lucky fans won the season worn jerseys right off the players backs.
Despite losing, the players ran a lap around the arena to lots of applause from their loyal fans. Cliff Smith threw his lacrosse stick into the lucky hands of a four year old boy who apparently was so ecstatic, he not only didn’t want to put it down when he got home, he slept with it. Definitely a future Mammoth player in the making.
Attendance: 15,727
Around the League:
Friday
Orlando Titans 11, Philadelphia Wings 5
Saturday
Orlando Titans 12, Minnesota Swarm 11 OT
Rochester Knighthawks 9 , Washington Stealth 14
Boston Blazers 10 , Buffalo Bandits 13
