Photo Credit: Brad Watson/Calgary Roughnecks
A behind-the-back shot by John Grant Jr. won the Colorado Mammoth a key 14-13 victory over the Calgary Roughnecks in overtime on Saturday night.
The Mammoth (2-5) needed the win badly after losing four straight and were able to maintain a lead for most of the game.
The Roughnecks (2-3) opened the scoring just 1:31 in, on a goal by Daryl Veltman. Athan Iannucci would tie the score five-and-a-half minutes later, but Calgary would respond again as Dan McRae scored three minutes after that.
The Mammoth would then go on a four-goal run between the end of the first period and the start of the second to give Colorado a three goal cushion. Calgary would work their way back to within one, but Adam Jones would cash in two more quick goals just 33 seconds apart to re-establish the three goal advantage and chase Roughnecks starting goalie Mike Poulin from the game.
Although the Roughnecks would get back to within one at half time, they would never regain the lead.
Calgary outscored Colorado in the third quarter, 4-3, to tie the game and the two teams would trade goals in the first half of the fourth, ending regulation time knotted at 13 goals apiece, having gone more than eight minutes without a goal between them.
Grant Jr. would find the back of the twine on a no-look shot after a quick feed from Sean Pollock just 2:09 into the overtime frame.
Rookie netminder Dillon Ward got the start for Colorado and turned aside 35 shots for the win. Mike Poulin, who returned to the game 5:42 into the third quarter, made 29 saves in the loss, while backup goalie Frankie Scigliano stopped just three of the five shots he faced in 7:45 of playing time.
Jones had a sensational night for the Mammoth, scoring seven goals—including four in the second quarter alone—and adding an assist. Grant Jr. contributed a hat trick—including the overtime game winner—and two assists.
Dane Dobbie (2 G, 4 A) and Jeff Shattler (1 G, 5 A) tied for the Roughnecks lead for points with six each.
Colorado’s next challenge will be at home against the Minnesota Swarm on Feb. 1, while the Roughnecks have a bye week to regroup before travelling to Minnesota where they will also take on the Swarm.
