Stephen Keogh’s big night, including a ‘Sock-Trick’ wasn’t enough for the Mammoth to overcome the Rochester Nighthawks onslaught as Colorado loses in Rochester 16-14

A ‘Sock-Trick’ is a term which originated at Pepsi Center for a player who scores six goals in a single game in indoor lacrosse, completing the feat in the third quarter with just 13 seconds left to tie the game at 13.

 

The Mammoth started the first quarter with a 3-0 lead by 6:04, scoring two goals on power plays. At the beginning of second quarter, the Mammoth’s offense remained dominant. By 4:54, Colorado led 9-4 and Rochester relieved goaltender Matt Vinc with goaltender Angus Goodleaf.

However the tide turned, as the Knighthawks dominated the turf, scoring four straight goals – two in transition – to tie the game 10-10, at 13:20. Colorado relieved goaltender Dillon Ward with goaltender Steve Fryer at that point.

The third quarter saw Rochester take their first lead of the night. With three straight goals by 9:44, the Knighthawks led 13-11. But in the final minutes of the quarter, the Mammoth answered back. McLaughlin scored his second goal of the night at 13:43, then, with 0:13 seconds left in the quarter, Keogh scored his sixth.

With a goal that would have been sock-trick completion in The Loud House, Keogh’s goal knotted the game at 13-13. Keogh scored once more in the fourth quarter. His seventh goal on a power play at 1:14, gave the Mammoth a one-goal lead. But from there, Goodleaf barred the Mammoth’s offense from Rochester’s net, making 11 saves as Rochester launched a three-goal crusade to win the game 16-14.

Mammoth Head Coach Pat Coyle said, “Keogh has been playing really well for us lately and it continued tonight. His shot is really deceiving to goalies and they have a hard time picking it up. Tonight, he shot hard with confidence and really had both goalies guessing.”

At the end of the game, Keogh came away with 9 points total (7G, 2A).

Another Mammoth player with incredible moments Saturday night was goaltender Steve Fryer who relieved Dillon Ward with 1:40 left in the first half. Fryer saved 32 out of 38 shots.

“Fryer did an awesome job again tonight,” said Coach Coyle. He gave us a chance to win and that’s all you can ask for from your relief goaltender. It sure gives us a lot of confidence knowing that we have two great goalies.”

With back-to-back games behind them, the Mammoth’s focus is now on the Saskatchewan Rush. The Mammoth will meet the West division-leading team on Saturday, April 7, in the SaskTel Center.

Fryer said, “The effort was there tonight. It was just one of those nights where the bounces weren’t going our way. But we’re going to regroup, learn from this, and get ready for Saskatchewan.”

The Mammoth return home on April 14th to face the New England Black Wolves.