The Links: Colorado & Buffalo victorious in Game 1 of Conference Finals
Dhane Smith & Josh Byrne, Buffalo Bandits (Photo: Michael Hetzel)
The Lax Mag has collected all the media mentions after Game 1 of this past weekend’s National Lacrosse League West & East Conference Finals – Colorado Mammoth 14-12 over San Diego Seals and Buffalo Bandits 18-17 over Toronto Rock.
As first reported by The Lax Mag hours before Friday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Mammoth moved Ryan Lee, who finished second in the league in assists (85) and points (119) during the regular season, to their injured reserve list. During the game’s broadcast, it was revealed Lee was dealing with a lower-body injury, soon after shown on camera with a brace on his knee.
Colorado’s always clutch forwards Eli McLaughlin (3G, 5A) and Connor Robinson (4G, 2A) registered their routine high-scoring counts, but the Mammoth got above-average production from Zed Williams (5G, 1A) in the goal-scoring column, plus Chris Wardle (4A) and Tyson Gibson (4A) putting up hefty helper totals.
In the final minutes of the game with the Seals attempting a late surge, Colorado goalkeeper Dillon Ward made arguably the best save of this year’s playoffs, so far…
Outside of the following copy repeatedly being used by Denver’s 9News.com, “Home to the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth, Ball Arena opened in downtown Denver on Oct. 1, 1999, with a sold-out concert by Celine Dion,” when describing various incoming entertainment acts, there was no other mention of the Mammoth’s massive Game 1 victory.
Seals GM & HC, Pat Merrill, wasn’t overly pleased with the team’s effort (@SealsLax):
There was a pre-game report (KUSI.com) and behind-a-paywall piece on Brodie Merrill in the days leading up to Game 1, but no post-game coverage from The San Diego Union Tribune or seemingly anywhere else in the state either. Plenty of Padres and Preps coverage though.
Ahead of Sunday’s Eastern Conference Finals, a reprehensible, racially-motivated mass shooting occurred in the city of Buffalo.
“It was definitely with a heavy heart we played that game. There was a lot of talk in our room of playing for the community. It was great to get a win for the crowd. It was great our guys stepped up. In my heart, I felt they were winning it for the community.” - Buffalo Bandits Head Coach, John Tavares (Toronto Sun & Buffalo News via @NLLBandits)
“We’ll regroup, we no choice but to be better on Saturday night in Hamilton.” - Toronto Rock Head Coach, Matt Sawyer (@TorontoRockLax):
Although Jomboy often dissects debatable referees’ decisions in baseball, and even lacrosse lately (and may again), if he’s looking for an absurd goal his non-lax audience might appreciate, there were certainly a couple on Sunday that would work.
Chase Fraser and…
Tehoka Nanticoke, both goals garnering the most plays @NLL, Fraser’s nearing 9K less than 24 hours later.
After the first two post-season weekends, six players have scored six more more over their initial two games: Connor Robinson (9), Tom Schreiber (6), Josh Byrne (6), Eli McLaughlin (6), Zed Williams (6), and Zach Manns (6), who put on a shooting clinic against the Bandits on Sunday.
“The Rock push the Bandits to the limit, but Buffalo takes Game 1.” - TSN’s @AbbsPxP
If Game 2 comes anywhere close to the level of intensity showcased on Sunday, this series will quickly become a classic. Click here for the complete Conference Finals schedule, both series continuing this Saturday in Hamilton (7pm ET) and Denver (930pm ET).
Mitch de Snoo, Toronto and Kyle Buchanan, Buffalo (Photo: Joe Hrycych)