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The New England Black Wolves overcame a three-goal fourth-period
deficit, but lost to the Colorado Mammoth, 11-10, in OT on Saturday night. (photo by Khoi Ton) |
New
England opened the scoring with a power play goal from Crowley 2:47 into the contest, and doubled
their advantage to 2-0 on a Saunders goal just over a minute later. Colorado
(1-1) tied it up with two goals in 39 seconds but tJay Thorimbert picked
up his first goal as a member of the Black Wolves with 1:12 left to give New England a 3-2
lead at the end of the first.
The
second quarter was all Colorado as the Mammoth picked up five goals—four coming
in a span of 2:01. Jeremy Noble got the run started at 3:45, and Eli McLaughlin and Christ
Wardle also found the back of the net before Zack Greer scored 5:46 into the quarter. Callum
Crawford wrapped up the Colorado scoring in the quarter on a power play goal
with 2:23 remaining until intermission,
giving Colorado a 7-3 advantage heading into the break.
The
Mammoth wasted little time when play resumed, scoring just 26 seconds into the
third quarter. Buchanan finally ended the run with his second goal of the
season at 3:06 of the third, cutting the
Colorado lead to 8-4. It was the first New England goal in a span of 19:18 dating back to the first
quarter.
Buchanan
picked up his second of the night six minutes later on the power play, and then assisted on a goal by Evans 58 seconds later
as the Black Wolves cut the Mammoth advantage to two at 8-6. Crawford picked up
his third goal of the night a minute later to put Colorado back up by three,
9-6.
Evans
got the scoring started in the fourth, picking up his second 2:51 into the frame. Crowley cut the
Mammoth advantage just one with 10:12
remaining in regulation, but Colorado answered just 23 seconds later, when Crawford
scored his fourth goal of the night to put the Mammoth back up by two. New
England outshot Colorado 15-7 in the fourth quarter, however, and Saunders
capped the comeback with his goal in the last minute of regulation.
In overtime, Colorado goalie Dillon Ward made the last of
his 36 saves on the first possession, and the Mammoth scored the winning goal just
51 seconds into the extra stanza when McLaughlin beat Evan Kirk with his second
goal of the night. “It was a textbook pick-and-roll [with Zack
Greer] that we got them on,” said the third-year forward. “I’m just happy I put
that one away.”
Kevin
Crowley led New England (0-2) with six points on three goals and three assists
while Shawn Evans, Saunders and Kyle Buchanan each had two goals in the loss.
Evans and Buchanan also chipped in three assists apiece. Crawford led Colorado
with eight points (four goals, four assists) and Noble added five on two goals
and three assists. Kirk had 41 saves for New England. Colorado has now won nine
of its last 10 games vs.
The
Black Wolves return to action on Friday when they travel to Duluth, Ga., to
take on the Georgia Swarm. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m. The home opener will be on Jan. 28 when
the Black Wolves entertain the Buffalo Bandits. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.,
and all fans attending will receive a free, limited edition “Raised By Black Wolves” T-Shirt,
compliments of Coca-Cola. Tickets start at $15, and can be purchased by visiting
blackwolves.com or calling 844-LAX-WOLF.
—Staff Reports
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