Colorado remains the only undefeated team in the NLL this season. However, it’s only 3-0. So what if other teams have already lost, it’s still early in the season to make it a huge deal. What’s more is the Mammoth travel to Vancouver tonight, a mere week later after an initial meeting with the Stealth.
I’d like to start off objectively: the Stealth lost last week in an away game for them. Now, their very next game is a rematch and at home (LEC Complex). This means for two straight weeks, their sole focus has been on Colorado. Granted the Mammoth are playing at an escalated level compared to their competition, I think the Stealth have a small advantage this weekend with the game taking place on their home turf.
There’s bad blood in the relationship right now. Vancouver has a lot to prove to Colorado, but the Mammoth are looking at a truly historic season:
For one, Colorado has already posted 20 or more goals in TWO games this season. Previous to this, they had 20+ point games over 12 seasons.
Next, the Mammoth are leading the NLL right now with 57 goals in 3 games. For those non-math majors, that averages out to 19 goals per game!
If those aren’t enough, Colorado has a Mammoth power-play conversion ratio this year, also leading the league, with a rate of 57.14%
Finally, while the Mammoth lead the league in goals per game, Vancouver also leads the NLL, with goals allowed per game standing at 14. Ouch.
The roster Colorado constructed this season is unbelievable. John Grant Jr. is obviously the league player who can’t do anything wrong. He’s perfect in every aspect of his game, comes through in clutch situations (home opener on January 24th sudden death overtime goal) and is a model and leader on the team.
Others have taken to the stage this season, as well. A true relationship has been built up between JGJ and Athan Iannucci.
Athan has found Grant in numerous offensive possessions, as has Grant looked to Iannucci. There’s no real way to put it other than true chemistry, a lacrosse-love-relationship if you would. They know where each other is at all times and can work together also within a team offense.
Joey Cupido has also been clutch in the transition game, as I personally observed at their home opener. He pops in and out of play as needed but can snag loose balls and post up an opponent whenever needed.
Dillon Ward has been phenomenal in goal if I may say so. In their home opener, he only allowed 16 goals out of something in the ball park of 65-75 total shots. Not bad. He came in solid for the Vancouver game last week, and I expect him to do so again.
If anyone remembers from the 2014 season, the Mammoth had an absolutely atrocious first half of the season off the turf. Front office personnel and coaching staff were in disagreement and the coaches weren’t clicking with players. The organization did something about it, cleaned house on the coaching front, recruited new coaches and the team immediately turned around. They made few offseason acquisitions or transactions and focused more on building the current roster.
Look how it has paid off. While Vancouver has something to prove for themselves, their home crowd and Colorado, the Mammoth are making up for lost time being a dominant force in the league and showing the world (at least North America) how indoor lacrosse is truly played.
