Blazers Slide Past the Stealth
The Blazers, Bostons' own National Lacrosse League (NLL) team, defeated the formidable Washington Stealth 11-9 on February 27. The Blazers hosted Washington at the TD Garden, also home to the Celtics and the Bruins.
It was an impressive win over the most highly ranked team but the entire league. The game stayed close and competitive throughout. Washington kept the pressure up on Boston, nearly always tying up the score just mere seconds after Boston got ahead. The Blazers prevailed, winning 11-9, coming out on top within just the last few minutes of the game. Mike Kirk, No. 1 of Boston, scored the first goal of the night at 6:40 into the game. However, the Stealth quickly tied it up, with No. 19 Ratcliff scoring less than 4 minutes later. This pattern continued throughout the game, with the half time score being Blazers 5, Stealth, 4.
The Sparks, the Boston Blazers cheer leading team, put on a half time show to various pop music songs.
Boston had done an excellent job so far offensively. They by far outpaced the Stealth in number of shots. And as the athletes' coach said, the team who takes the most shots, gets the most goals. Despite being mediocre in the standings at this point (4 wins, 4 losses), Boston was holding up exceptionally well against their adversaries, who were first in standings.
In interviews after the game, both the coaches and the players noted that their defense was key in holding back a steady onslaught from the Stealth. The coach also pointed to the team winning over half the faceoffs, which is key to dominating in offense. Both teams cranked up the intensity as the second half began. As they had been, both teams remained very close to each other in terms of scoring, but the Blazers continued to be the ones taking more shots. One could here the crowd groan with frustration as a Boston goal was neutralized by a Washington one just minute later. Boston continued to stay one step ahead, but it was either teams game by any-ones estimate.
In the third quarter, the Stealth actually scored more than Boston, bring the score at the end of the quarter to 7 to 7. It looked like the stealth could be making a comeback. The crowd cheered "Cosmo!!" whenever the Bostons goalie Anthony Cosmo would make a save. Going into the fourth and final quarter, the crowd grew anxious. Boston needed to step it up a notch if they hoped to pull through victorious. As it had been, every time the Blazers would score a goal, the Stealth would tie it up again within just a few minutes. Boston scored again with 5:29 left to go, putting them ahead by one. It was now up to the defense to maintain that advantage. And then, with only a mere 1:37 left in the game, team captain, and later voted MVP, Dan Dawson of the Blazers scored an amazing goal. Feeling secure in their lead, the Blazers and crowd relaxed, enough for the Stealth to make a break away. Running towards the goal, unhindered by defensive players that they had left behind, it looked like Washington might still win the game. But just as they reached the crease in front of the goal, two Blazers sprinted up and literally knocked Washington off their feet. The crowd screamed with excitement. With mere seconds left to go, the Blazers were able to hold onto their lead and win the game.
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.