Mammoth Goalie Dillon Ward Has Goalie Gear Stolen

In one of the most bizarre stories this NLL season, Colorado Mammoth rookie goaltender Dillon Ward has his goalie gear stolen this week, according to the team. The Mammoth were the last team in the west to qualify for the playoffs and they take on Calgary tomorrow night.

Ward, the third overall pick in the NLL draft this season, took over as Colorado’s starting goalie during the season and has led them to a playoff berth. According to the Mammoth, his gear was stolen outside of his residence on Thursday.

“I’ve been in the league for 20 years and this is a first,” said Mammoth president & general manager Steve Govett on the Mammoth website. “I don’t know who, in their right mind, would want smelly lacrosse goalie gear. Now we’re up against a real deadline to try to find a solution and to give Dillon a chance to make his postseason debut.”

According to the story, goalies typically keep one pair of gear, so for a while there was concern that Ward would be without. However, it was announced today that the Vancouver Stealth, whom the Mammoth beat out for the playoffs, would loan gear to Ward.

“Obviously we wish this never happened, and we wish Ward could wear what he feels comfortable in. But, I’m incredibly thankful to [Stealth president & general manager] Doug Locker, and to the others who reached out, for the generous offer. We owe him one!”

The report indicates that several teams have reached out to the Mammoth to try to help, and they mention that the team they are playing, the Calgary Roughnecks, were not one of the teams to offer help.

The playoffs open tomorrow night as the Mammoth travel to Calgary for a 9:30pm start time.