The Colorado Mammoth continued its dominance over East Division opponents, improving to 9-1 in its last ten with an 11-10 overtime win over the New England Black Wolves on Saturday night at Pepsi Center. Forward Eli McLaughlin came free less than a minute into the extra frame and buried the game-winner.
“It was a textbook pick-and-roll (with Zack Greer) that we got them on,” said the third-year forward. “I’m just happy I put that one away.”
A week ago, McLaughlin led the team with a career-high four goals. Tonight, it was teammate Callum Crawford who scored four times, and also added four assists (including one on the final play).
The Mammoth scored all five goals in the second quarter, and Crawford’s second score of the game 26 seconds into the third made it 8-3. The Black Wolves responded, scoring three straight. In the final frame, New England tallied four of the last five – including the equalizer with an extra attacker on the floor with 40 seconds left. That set the stage for McLaughlin’s dramatic finisher.
Greer recorded his first goal at Pepsi Center as a member of the Mammoth as part of Colorado’s second-quarter push. Dillon Ward registered 36 saves in the win, one of which came in OT. Jeremy Noble had a five-point night (2g, 3a), and Chris Wardle and Jacob Ruest each had a goal and a helper.
Colorado (2-1) moved into a tie with Vancouver atop the West Division standings. The Mammoth hosts the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks on Friday at Pepsi Center at 7:30pm MT.
Featured Image Credit: Colorado Mammoth