The Colorado Mammoth could have clinched a playoff spot this weekend with two wins as they faced the best-in-the-west Calgary Roughnecks and the fellow bottom feeding Edmonton Rush on consecutive days, but they had to settle for the second best thing, earning themselves a split in the two games. The important thing to note was that the game they won was the more important of the two, the game against their closest rivals in the playoff race, Edmonton.
Colorado’s lost to Calgary 14-13 on Friday was certainly not for lack of trying, as the Mammoth had Calgary on the ropes for almost the entire evening. They were only a won faceoff and a late goal from tying it as Dan Carey scored a goal with only 7 seconds remaining on the clock. The biggest milestone for the game was probably rookie Ned Crotty getting his first ever Mammoth goal. Playing the best team in the West is also an encouraging sign for the Mammoth, who have looked like a new team ever since they acquired Ian Hawksbee, Joel Delgarno and Gavin Prout at the trade deadline.
Last night, the Mammoth prevailed over Edmonton in one of their best performances of the season, a 13-6 win. Their previous game against Edmonton ended 7-6 and the two games tied for the fewest goals allowed by the Colorado defense all season. John Grant Jr. had a hat trick and two assists while Brian Langtry had his best game of the season with a four goal evening. Chris Levis shone again as he has done a lot late in the season with 38 saves.
Colorado’s final home game is on April 15th against Calgary again, with Colorado having a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a single win. They will get a second chance if they can’t win their home match with an away game against Minnesota on the 23rd.