NLL Insider

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) held a media conference call earlier today to promote their up-coming season opener this Saturday, Dec. 29. There are still tickets available for that game, however, Colorado is expecting a sell-out. The game will also be aired live regionally in the Colorado and Alberta areas, and available online via pay-per-view through B2 Networks.

Here’s a quick recap:

- The NLL regular season opens on Saturday, December 29th, as the Colorado Mammoth host the Calgary Roughnecks at 7pm MTN. The Calgary-Colorado match is the lone game on the schedule for the season opening weekend.

- When asked what Colorado’s weaknesses are, Calgary GM Kurt Silcott laughed and said, “not many, not many. I look around the league, and I think the thing you’re going to see this year is awesome lacrosse,” said Silcott. He echoed league-wide comments that every team is extremely strong this year from top to bottom. “Fans are going to see some great lacrosse.”

- Both teams have high hopes for the 2008 season and are hungry for success after early round exits in the playoffs last year. Calgary won the title in 2004 and Colorado won it in 2006.

- ”It’s going to be real competitive every night,” added Silcott, dismissing a reporter’s question that the West’s regular season may not mean as much with four of five teams making playoffs. “I bet you it comes down to that last weekend as to who gets those four spots. So you can’t be taking nights off early in the season… The other thing is you’d like to be able to get position if you’re lucky enough to be able to host a playoff game, which means teams are battling for the one and two spots, as well.”

- As per most NLL games in Denver, Colorado’s expecting a large crowd Saturday, Dec. 29. Visit the Mammoth home page for more information about purchasing remaining tickets. “We’re anticipating very close to a sell-out, if not a sell-out,” stated Colorado’s management.

- You can also catch the game on Altitude in the Colorado area, and the game will be televised live on Shaw TV in the Calgary region. Outside of those markets, this game, as all games this season, will be available via live per-per-view webcast on B2 Networks for $7 per game.

- On the season opener: “We play an up-tempo style of game, and we’re playing Colorado who are looking to do the same thing. So I expect there to be a lot of action, and I expect a great game,” said Silcott.

- Both clubs have new head coaches this season. Colorado’s head coach is Bob McMahon and Calgary’s head coach is Troy Cordingley. Both have Mann Cup titles. McMahon has also been an NLL assistant coach, but in his first game as NLL head coach he admitted he has some nerves. “I think you should have butterflies every game, I think you should have them probably both as a coach or a player. That’s an indication you’re eager and ready to go… I’m excited. It’s a great city and a great atmosphere to play in,” added McMahon.

- Colorado Strengths: “I think we have a very deep line-up. We can dress anyone of 23 players. Offensively we have balanced scoring and that will take pressure off of Gavin to go out and generate four or five goals every weekend. Two weekends ago we scored 13 goals and we had nine different scorers. From a defensive standpoint we’re very experienced with Rich Catton and Pat Coyle. They’ve played a lot of years in this league. And we’re very happy we have two outstanding goalies,” said McMahon… The Mammoth return 17 players from last season’s team that won the West Division regular-season title, including captain Gavin Prout, Dan Carey, Jamie Shewchuk, Josh Sims, Nenad Gajic, Rich Catton, and goaltenders Gee Nash and Chris Levis.

- Calgary Strengths: “I think our biggest strength would have to be our offense. We’re returning the second leading scoring team in the league, and we’re returning just about all of those guys we’ve had scoring those goals up-front… We’ve got a young defense that is going to be energetic and flying all over the floor. And we’ve got a solid goaltender,” said Silcott. He noted they lost some key defensive players but that their coaches are stressing a system of team defense. Calgary returns their top six goal scorers from 2007 in Lewis Ratcliff, Tracey Kelusky, Kaleb Toth, Scott Ranger, Jeff Shattler and Nolan Heavenor. And they added Kelly Hall and Dane Dobbie. In goal, they’re relying on Steve Dietrich to have a big season.

- Silcott added: “I think all the teams feel good about themselves coming into this year, and all the teams are going to be very good and very competitive.”

- Players looking to break-out: McMahon said Colorado players to watch out for this season include rookie Dylan Llord, Jed Prossner and Matt Brown… For Calgary, Silcott thinks Scott Ranger and Jeff Shattler are under-rated and will produce in 2008.

- For exclusive interviews with both team’s captains, check the home page for Lauren Ward’s Q&A with Gavin Prout and Tracy Kelusky.

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