Dan Dawson says the Boston Blazers goal in every game is to “outwork, outsmart, out-execute” the opponent. And that is precisely what the Boston Blazers did in their Saturday night when they pumped up their record to 5-4 with an exciting win over the Washington Stealth.
Dawson himself scored the goal that broke the 9-9 tie in the 4th Quarter. He then continued on to score an insurance goal, which ensured the win. With a final of 11-9, Dawson, the game’s most valuable player, fully used his abilities and teammates to reach the three team goals. Brendan Thenhaus led the Blazers with seven points – on three goals and four assists – and was Dawson’s pick for game MVP.
In all, 11 different players registered points -- either goals or assists – in this team victory. However, this amazing display of teamwork did not start as soon as the first whistle blew.
The Blazers came out to a slow start, but nonetheless, were the first to score with a breakaway by Mike Kirk part way through the first quarter. The Stealth came back with a goal of their own, scored by Lewis Ratcliff on a power play, but the Blazers answered with a quick one off the post by Gary Bining at the end of a Stealth power play.
Going into the second quarter the Blazers led 2-1 but that changed quickly. Paul Rabil of the Stealth – who plays field lacrosse for the Boston Cannons -- was put in the penalty box for five minutes for a check from behind. However, on the Blazers power play, the Stealth snuck two goals past Blazers’ goalie Anthony Cosmo.
The Blazers countered this with two goals of their own during the same power play, bringing the score to 4-3. Both teams scored one more goal each by the end of the second quarter, bringing the final score to 5-4 at half time.
Coming into the third quarter, the game was heated and close. The Stealth popped another goal past Cosmo, tying the game. The Blazers responded with a goal by Brett Queener.
At this point, the game turned slightly more brutal with a hit to Kyle Ross that knocked his helmet to the ground. The Stealth’s Rhys Duch scored the first two goals in for the third quarter for the Stealth with Peter Morgan adding another. Thenhaus retaliated with one of his own, putting the score at seven all at then end of the third.
The fourth quarter started with a quick goal by Bining to take the lead. Luke Wiles from Washington quickly tied the game back up. It turned into a back and forth, Thenhaus scored his third goal of the game, and Lewis Ratcliff scored Washington’s final goal of the game, re-directing a half-field heave from half field.
Then, it was time for Dawson’s heroics. He scored the final two goals with dives across the net, finalizing the win for the Blazers. For the Blazers, it was their fourth game rocking the home black jerseys and their fourth win in those shirts. For the West-leading Stealth, it was the third straight loss after a 6-0 start.
The Blazers have the first week of March off, and return to TD Garden to play the Buffalo Bandits on March 13.
Whitney Jaffe is a sophomore at Cohasset 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.