The Colorado Mammoth are in bit of a quandary right now. Veteran goaltender Tye Belanger #31—who is typically a very strong goalie, can see the ball well and is consistent in higher save percentages—has been lacking in the first two Mammoth games. Against the Edmonton Rush on December 28, 2013, he played a total of 41:12 minutes. During his time on the floor, there were 26 shots on goal, 15 saves, 11 goals against, 16.02 goals against average and only a .577 save percentage. The following week against the Vancouver Stealth, Belanger was pulled 4:14 into the second quarter. He had 13 SOG, 9 saves, 4 GA, 12.48 GAA and only a .692 save percentage.
In the Rush game, rookie Dillon Ward #45—who was the first goaltender in 14 years to be selected in the top three picks overall in the NLL Entry Draft—was impressive in his rookie debut. Coming into the game with the Mammoth down, and all eyes upon him to see if the Mammoth had made the right choice drafting a goaltender so high in the draft, with 12 SOG he answered the call with 10 saves, 2 GA, 6.38 GAA and an amazing .833 save percentage. In week two, he was called on early in the second quarter. It looks like Mammoth Head Coach Bob Hamley is giving Belanger a short leash and in the Stealth game decided to give his new goaltender more time to shine. Against the Stealth again with the Mammoth down 6-4, Ward was called upon and came through. With 38 SOG he boasted 30 saves, 5 GA, 11.77 GAA and another impressive save percentage at .789.
Ward, who is 6’5” and 200 lbs, makes it difficult for shooters to score. He can adjust well to the ball, stays low and plays high. He seems to anticipate where the shots are coming from before they leave the stick and it is paying off. He has quick hands and covers the net well.
When Ward was drafted, Belanger was included in the decision and welcomed Ward to the team with open arms. However, with the high level of competition in professional lacrosse today Belanger may have something to be worried about.
The fans were impressed with Ward’s ability to stay calm, make good decisions and excellent saves to get the Mammoth back into the game against the Stealth as well as keeping the Stealth out of goals including holding Lewis Ratcliff #42, one of the Stealth’s leading scorers, to only one goal.
So what should the Mammoth do? Some have said let Belanger and Ward split the games this weekend against the Calgary Roughnecks and Edmonton Rush. But, with the Roughnecks coming off a tough loss against the Toronto Rock last weekend and the Edmonton Rush coming off the bye week do you take that chance? Calgary is going to be anxious for redemption after their recent loss and Edmonton is rested from the extra week off, not to mention the fact that they put up 11 goals against Belanger in the home opener at The Pepsi Center on December, 28, 2013.
Colorado is coming off an adrenaline rush win last weekend and in order to carry that momentum into this weekend, and a tough road trip ahead, putting Ward in goal both games is the smart move and should keep the Mammoth headed in the right direction. If he can continue to play with determination he may very well take that starting spot away from Belanger who earned it just halfway into the season last year.
