Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
After a tumultuous week that saw their GM and Assistant GM step down, the Warriors had to get back to business against the also winless Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Earlier in the week Dan Richardson (GM), and Ken Thomas (Asst. GM) left their positions, and Troy Cordingley (Head Coach) was announced as interim GM.
On the floor both teams had been struggling, and were hoping this was the game to start moving forward. For the Warriors, offensively they hadn’t faired too badly, but were having trouble on defense, and goaltending. The Desert Dogs had relied on the production of Rob Hellyer, and needed to get more involved if they hoped to be successful.
The Vancouver Warriors erupted for eight first quarter goals and withstood a stubborn Las Vegas Desert Dogs team to post their first win of the season, 19-16 before a boisterous crowd of 8,483 fans at Rogers Arena on College Night.
To The Game:
Las Vegas jumped out to a quick lead when Jacob Ruest scored just 0:28 seconds into the game, followed by Jack Hannah converting a Rob Hellyer pass just one minute later for the 2-0 lead.
Vancouver stormed back with six straight goals. Mitch Jones got the Warriors on the board converting a Shawn Evans pass at 2:41, followed by Logan Schuss tying the game up just 0:25 seconds later off a Mitch Jones feed. Keegan Bal gave the Warriors the lead diving off a beautiful feed from Shawn Evans at 3:28.
Chase Scanlon added to the Vancouver total converting a Connor Goodwin pass at 6:47, followed by Kyle Killen finishing off a Reid Bowering feed at 9:11. Bal and Evans hooked up again for Bal’s second of the game 0:29 seconds afterward for a 6-2 Warrior lead.
Las Vegas battled back when Jon Phillips converted a Rob Hellyer feed at 10:02, followed by Reid Reinholdt scoring off a Jacob Ruest pass at 11:19.
The Warriors came back with two goals inside the final minute to end the first quarter. Kyle Killen scored off a Logan Schuss pass at 14:17, followed by a buzzer beater by Logan Schuss with less than one second left in the quarter.
After one quarter, Vancouver 8 Las Vegas 4.
Second Quarter:
Vancouver got off to a fast start with Mitch Jones capitalizing on a Logan Schuss pass at 3:09, followed by Shawn Evans converting a Keegan Bal pass at 5:02.
Las Vegas stormed back with two quick goals only 0:20 seconds apart. Jack Hannah beat Aiden Walsh off a John Wagner pass at 6:26, followed by Jon Phillips converting a Reid Reinholdt pass at 6:46.
The Warriors continued the onslaught with another four goal run. Keegan Bal scored off an Adam Charlambides feed at 7:55, followed by Kyle Killen converting a Shawn Evans feed at 8:12. Adam Charlambides scored scored in transition off a Reid Bowering feed at 9:22, followed by Keegan Bal scoring again off a Mitch Jones pass on the power play at 11:29.
The Desert Dogs kept fighting, also scoring twice in the final minute of the quarter. Rob Hellyer scored on the power play off a Zach Greer feed at 14:15, followed by Greer himself with a buzzer beater less than a second away from halftime.
At the half, Vancouver 14 Las Vegas 8.
Third Quarter:
Shawn Evans opened the third quarter scoring off a Kyle Killen pass at 0:53 seconds, but Vegas came back with two power play goals. Charlie Bertrand converted a Jack Hannah pass at 3:29, followed by Jacob Ruest converting a Jon Phillips feed at 7:04 to narrow the score to 15-10 Vancouver.
Chase Scanlon added another goal for the Warriors, but was answered with two Desert Dog goals nearing the end of the quarter. Reid Reinholdt finished off a Charlie Bertrand pass at 12:15, followed by Zach Greer scoring unassisted at 13:16. Vancouver added one more goal by Kyle Killen to end the third.
After three quarters, Vancouver 17 Las Vegas 12.
Fourth Quarter:
Shawn Evans opened the scoring with a beautiful behind the back shot at 1:06.
Cue the Las Vegas comeback!
Zach Greer scored two power play goals to narrow the lead to 18-14, followed by Charlie Bertrand scoring off a Jon Phillips feed at 6:02. Greer scored again at 12:01 off a Rob Hellyer feed, but that was as close as they would get.
Keegan Bal would add one more for the Warriors with just 0:46 seconds left, and that would end the scoring.
Final score, Vancouver 19 Las Vegas 16.
Game Stats:
Shots on goal favored Vancouver 54-53.
The faceoff battle was 25-12 in favor of the Warriors.
The loose ball battle went to the Warriors 83-61.
Las Vegas went 5 for 6 on the power play, while Vancouver went 1 for 1.
Top Scorers:
Las Vegas Desert Dogs:
Rob Hellyer 1g, 10a
Jon Phillips 2g, 3a
Charlie Bertrand 2g, 3a
Jacob Ruest 2g, 3a
Vancouver Warriors:
Keegan Bal 5g, 3a
Shawn Evans 3g, 5a
Kyle Killen 4g, 1a
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Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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