Last week kicked off the start of the 2015 NLL season with some pretty great matchups. The Vancouver Stealth faced off against the Calgary Roughnecks, and even though things started off a bit slow and sloppy for the Stealth they were able to comeback and pull out the win. In doing so the Stealth gave fans and the opposition a preview of what’s to come.
Once the newly revamped defense got settled in to a grove against the Roughnecks high scoring offense, things seemed to open up in the transition game. With the addition of Tyler Hass and Mitch McMichael coming off IR the scoring opportunities opened wide. The Stealth struggled to create opportunities in the transition game all season long in 2014; it was one of the team’s areas to address this past offseason. Doug Locker and the coaching staff did just that, putting together one of the leagues most impressive rosters in that position. In doing so, one returning player in particular, Ilija Gajic seems to be reaping the rewards.
The 6’0” 190lb Gajic roughed up Calgary to the tune of a 5 point performance, tallying 3 goals, 2 assists and 7 loosies. The extra attention players must give to Tyler Hass, will certainly open things up for anyone else on the floor with him, but the chemistry between the two was there from the time the whistle blew to start the game. The two players combining for a total of 5 transition goals, one of the better performances out of the Stealth transition game in two plus seasons.
If game one really is a precursor to the way 2015 will go for the Stealth, than NLL be on notice. Take away the slow start and Vancouver is a scoring machine, going on an 11-0 run against a very potent team. Take the fact that their newly acquired superstar Johnny Powless walked off the floor without a single goal, and your left scratching your head, from a team that couldn’t muster much on the scoreboard in 2014.
Come check out Ilija and the rest of the Stealth (1-0) take on the Toronto Rock (1-0) this Saturday night at the Langley Events Center. Tickets for the game are on sale now by calling 1-855-985-5000 or going to www.StealthLAX.com
