Lumberjax focus on NLL playoff spot

March 20th, 2008 by Bob Chavez

We’re not a 3-7 team, says Portland Lumberjax coach Derek Keenan and while the numbers don’t lie, dude’s got a point. It’s a point his boys have a chance to emphasize tonight when they host the Colorado Mammoth in a National Lacrosse League West division tilt tonight.

So how are the not a 3-7 club? Well, 2 of the 3 wins have come in the last 4 weeks, which includes a nice victory over Calgary. What’s that say? It says the Jax are putting together some momentum and it also says they can compete against solid clubs. Of course, two straight losses since that win over Calgary is the wrong kind of momentum, but Keenan’s hoping a switch to Dallas Eliuk in goal can put Portland back on a winning track as it works to stay one step ahead of Edmonton in the chase for the West’s fourth and final playoff berth.

“Right now we are in a situation where we really need to get a win (tonight) and we want to give Dallas that opportunity,” Keenan told The Oregonian.

The Mammoth, meanwhile, were thrilled to maintain their grip on first place out West after snapping their three-game funk last weekend.

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Chavez is an avid lacrosse player in Rochester and a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle as well as a longtime Inside Lacrosse contributor. Email him at bob.chavez@nllinsider.com or go to RochesterSports.com.

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