The Vancouver Stealth open the 2014 season on the road tomorrow versus the Colorado Mammoth on “Star Wars” night at the Pepsi Center. Both teams are evenly matched and goaltending could be a determining factor in the outcome as both teams possess some potent offenses.
Leading the Colorado Mammoth is newly appointed captain John Grant Jr. He comes in to the game 3rd in National Lacrosse League all time points and will command attention from the Stealth defense. Supporting him on the offense, Jordan McBride, Adam Jones, Sean Pollock and company must generate some secondary scoring against a tough Stealth defense.
The Stealth will be led by the familiar attack of Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff. Also look for rookie Tyler Digby to contribute in his first ever NLL game.
Defensively, Vancouver will rely heavily on veteran guys like Jeff Moleski, Mike Grimes and Curtis Hodgson. Both teams will look to get goals on the transition with weapons like Tyler Garrison and Ilija Gajic for Vancouver and Jackson Decker, and Matt MacLeod respectively for Colorado.
The Goalie matchup could be the determining factor and although the Stealthʼs Tyler Richards may have the better resume, the Mammothʼs Dillon Ward is coming in hot from replacing Tye Belanger in week one play allowing just two goals in relief duty.
Watch for Bob Snider and Iljia Gajic to make an impact in their first games since being traded for each other. There will no doubt be some tension and intensity when they meet in the draw circle. Some more players to watch are defender Dan Coates for Colorado who is a consistent playmaker and Cliff Smith who often flies under the radar amidst all the talent offensively for Vancouver.
If the Stealth can stay out of the box I see them cruising in this one as the Mammoth are coming off a week one loss to the Edmonton Rush, 13-10 in their season opener.
