The Las Vegas Desert Dogs hosted the Colorado Mammoth at Michelob Ultra Arena Saturday night in a Week 10 tilt. The Mammoth were on the back end of a doubleheader, having defeated the Georgia Swarm in Denver the night before. The Desert Dogs were looking to bounce back after keeping close for three quarters before losing to Saskatchewan last week. Jack Hannah led the way with nine points as the Desert Dogs prevailed 13-9 for their second win this season.
Hannah hat trick puts Desert Dogs in front at half
Las Vegas started things off early, with quick goals from Charlie Bertrand (1g, 2a; 1:18) and Hannah (6g, 3a; 2:20) giving them a 2-0 lead. The Mammoth equalized, with Eli McLaughlin (2g, 1a) going back-to-back (4:55; 0:50 second quarter; power play). Hannah’s second goal (2:02) briefly restored the Vegas led before Chris Wardle (2g, 2a; 8:44) evened the score at 3-3.
The Desert Dogs then went on a three-goal run, starting with Connor Kirst taking the ensuing faceoff and beating Mammoth goaltender Dillon Ward unassisted at 8:52. Zack Greer (2g, 4a; 9:40) and Hannah’s hat trick goal (11:49) followed. Las Vegas took a 6-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Desert Dogs keep foot on the gas in second half
Wardle opened the second half scoring with his second goal of the game (2:06) to narrow the gap to 6-4. But a power play marker from Jon Phillips (1g, 4a; 4:12) and Hannah’s fourth of the game (6:11) extended the Desert Dogs’ lead to four. Zed Williams (2g, 1a; 7:26) tried to ignite a Mammoth run, but Vegas responded with two more goals. Rob Hellyer (2g, 2a; 10:11; power play) and Greer’s second of the game (14:31) put the Desert Dogs up 10-5 going into the final frame.
Williams tallied his second on a power play (2:16), followed by Connor Robinson (1g, 4a; 5:25) to cut the deficit to three, 10-7. However, the Desert Dogs kept up the pressure. Hellyer scored his second (7:34), then Hannah added his fifth and sixth 24 seconds apart (10:07; 10:31) making it 13-7. Colorado could only muster one more goal, with Rhys Duch (1g, 3a; 14:36) closing the book on the second win in Las Vegas history.
Other Stats of Note
Sam Firth/Jacob Ruest/Reid Reinholdt (LV): 2 assists each
Shots on Goal: COL 49; LV 53
Warren Jeffrey (COL): 3 Caused Turnovers
Landon Kells (LV): 41 saves
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“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
