Now, that’s the way to start a season.
The Vancouver Stealth’s season-opening weekend couldn’t have gone any better, as they rolled up road wins over Calgary and Colorado to start the National Lacrosse League regular season 2-0.
On Saturday they defeated the Colorado Mammoth 15-9 in Denver, just 24 hours after edging the Calgary Roughnecks 12-11 at the Saddledome.
Led by Rhys Duch, who counted a hat trick in each half, Vancouver spent much of the game Saturday in control – except for a brief run in the third quarter when Colorado blitzed ahead 8-7 with four quick goals.
The Stealth had an answer – reeling off four straight goals of their own, including three in a span of 52 seconds, then limited the Mammoth to just one tally in the fourth frame.
Duch finished with nine points in the win, while Corey Small, who like Duch plays summer lacrosse with the Western Lacrosse Association’s Victoria Shamrocks, pocketed two goals and five helpers. New Westminster Salmonbellies’ Logan Schuss netted four goals and contributed two assists, while the Burnaby Lakers’ Justin Salt snapped in a goal and twin assists.
The Mammoth got four goals from the the Lakers’ Eli McLaughlin.
Netminder Tyler Richards, who also plays for Burnaby, made 43 saves in the win.
A day earlier, a strong first half provided enough momentum to hold off Calgary’s serious rally over the final 15 minutes.
Vancouver took a 12-7 with Keegan Bal’s third of the day early in the fourth frame, and then held on as Calgary pressed to within a goal.
Bal, who like Schuss plays with the Bellies, also drew a pair of assists.
The Stealth now look for a third straight win, going up against Calgary on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Langley Events Centre.
