Blazers Clinch Key Game Before Playoffs
After a tough loss to the Orlando Titans on April 3, the Boston Blazers tasted success once again, defeating the Minnesota Swarm at home 13-8. On the evening of April 10th, an all time record of 10,032 fans surrounded the field at the Boston Garden, anxiously waiting for the game to commence.
The first quarter began with a bang, with Blazers’ forward Daryl Veltman scoring immediately within the first minute of the game. Blazers’ goalie Anthony Cosmo had multiple clutch saves throughout the quarter, but ultimately the second half determined the outcome of the game.
At the tail end of the second quarter, Blazers’ forward Jamie Rooney scored on a beautiful shot to beat Swarm goalie Nick Patterson, with assistance from Kyle Ross. However, due to a possible crease violation, the goal was revoked. Coach Tom Ryan jumped quickly to challenge the ruling, and the officials reinstated the goal giving the Blazers a 6-4 lead. Later in the third quarter, a similar incident occurred. Assisted by Jamie Rooney and Mat Giles, forward Nick Cotter made a beautiful diving shot, slinging the ball into the top left corner of the net with about four minutes left in the game. Again, the officials called a crease violation, and again the Blazers won the challenge.
“Right until towards the end it was a one- or two-goal game,” Ryan stated in response to questions about the challenges. “Luckily I got a good look at both of those and threw the flag. Whenever you get two extra goals on challenges I did my job.”
Despite incredible attempts by a powerful Swarm offense, the Blazers managed to stay on top through the entire game and come out with the win. Along with remarkable efforts by defensemen Paul Dawson and Greg Downing, Blazers’ goalie Anthony Cosmo was the spark that ignited an extremely successful defensive line during the game. Named MVP of the game, Cosmo saved 26 of Minnesota’s 34 shots on goal. Due to Cosmo’s extraordinary goal coverage, the Blazers were able to keep their lead for the entire game.
Another positive asset to the game was Blazer’s forward Nick Cotter, who was called in to play in rather unexpected circumstances. Cotter was not originally included in the line up for the game on April 10th due to an injury. According to Blazers’ Coach Ryan, teammate Sean Morris was unable to play due to illness. Cotter played in Morris’ place after completing an eight hour teaching exam at Dowling College on Long Island. In the post-game conference, teammate and captain “Dangerous” Dan Dawson described Cotter as a “tough one-on-one player”. Scoring 4 of the Blazers’ 13 goals and contributing with 2 assists as well, Nick Cotter played the role of unsung hero throughout the game.
With the playoffs quickly approaching, the players are enthused by the positive transformation they have seen in the team since last week’s play. Captain Dan Dawson is excited for the win, and feels that the momentum which the team has picked up from an unbelievable fan base and a solid win will be helpful with two important upcoming games. In the post-game press conference, Nick Cotter emphasized that each successive game will be important in guaranteeing the Blazers’ spot in the playoffs, and that the team as a whole will simply have to deal with the pressure. Star forward Daryl Veltman agrees that the team has picked up positive momentum from the defeat of the Swarm, but at the same time he believes that confidence cannot overcome the Blazers’ mindset, and it is important for the team to clinch these next two regular season games. The Blazers will be on the road, first facing the Colorado Mammoths on April 16th, and finally the Buffalo Bandits on April 24th.
Annie Adelsberger attends King Philip Regional High School
The Blazers Beat is a student reporter program which provides high school students access to the Garden on game nights. Students will receive a media credential for a game of their choice, access to the post-game player and coach press conference and can write a game recap which the Blazers will help to publish with their local papers. For more information, contact Krista Olson, Marketing & Event Operations Manager at krista@blazerslacrosse.com.