NewLacrosseDad
04-23-2006, 12:46 AM
On the strength of an eight point (3g, 5a) performance by Dan Dawson and a seven point performance by Lindsay Plunkett (3g, 4a), the Arizona Sting defeated the Portland LumberJax 14-11 on Saturday night. The West Division fourth seeded Sting (8-8) upset the one seeded LumberJax (11-5) in front of 10,843 fans at Rose Garden in Portland. With the victory the Sting advance to the West Division final against the Colorado Mammoth next weekend at Pepsi Center in Denver.
Both offenses started the game strong with five points a piece in the opening quarter. In the second quarter however Sting goaltender Rob Blasdell (41 saves, 11GA) and the Arizona defense held Portland to a single goal while their offense put up four to give the Sting a 9-6 advantage at the half.
In the second half Blasdell and the Sting defense kept Portland in check, including halting a late game comeback attempt to take home the victory.
"This was a total team effort tonight," said Sting Head Coach Bob Hamley. "Rob (Blasdell) made some key saves, our defense really kept their shooters from getting quality shots, and our offense came up big when we needed a goal. We built this team for one thing: the playoffs. The reguilar season is ancient history and we're undefeated right now. We're playing like we know we can and we're really looking forward to next Saturday."
In goal Rob Blasdell (41 saves, 11GA)recorded the win for Arizona while Dallas Eliuk (31 saves, 13 GA) suffered the loss for Portland. The Sting were led by Dan Dawson (3g, 5a) and Lindsay Plunkett (3g, 4a) on offense. The LumberJax offense was led by Mike Hominuk (4g, 1a) and Brodie Merrill (4A).
"Rob (Blasdell) played awesome tonight. We needed a big game from him and he delivered," said Sting forward Dan Dawson. "We knew that if we played our game and didn't let them take advantage of us in transition we'd come out on top and that's exactly what happened. I'm thrilled to be back in the Western Finals and I'm looking forward to taking on the Mammoth next weekend."
Both offenses started the game strong with five points a piece in the opening quarter. In the second quarter however Sting goaltender Rob Blasdell (41 saves, 11GA) and the Arizona defense held Portland to a single goal while their offense put up four to give the Sting a 9-6 advantage at the half.
In the second half Blasdell and the Sting defense kept Portland in check, including halting a late game comeback attempt to take home the victory.
"This was a total team effort tonight," said Sting Head Coach Bob Hamley. "Rob (Blasdell) made some key saves, our defense really kept their shooters from getting quality shots, and our offense came up big when we needed a goal. We built this team for one thing: the playoffs. The reguilar season is ancient history and we're undefeated right now. We're playing like we know we can and we're really looking forward to next Saturday."
In goal Rob Blasdell (41 saves, 11GA)recorded the win for Arizona while Dallas Eliuk (31 saves, 13 GA) suffered the loss for Portland. The Sting were led by Dan Dawson (3g, 5a) and Lindsay Plunkett (3g, 4a) on offense. The LumberJax offense was led by Mike Hominuk (4g, 1a) and Brodie Merrill (4A).
"Rob (Blasdell) played awesome tonight. We needed a big game from him and he delivered," said Sting forward Dan Dawson. "We knew that if we played our game and didn't let them take advantage of us in transition we'd come out on top and that's exactly what happened. I'm thrilled to be back in the Western Finals and I'm looking forward to taking on the Mammoth next weekend."