The Colorado Mammoth extended their winning streak to four games with a 15-11 victory over the Oshawa Firewolves on Saturday night.
Andrew Kew continued to prove he has been a major addition to the Mammoth’s lineup. He led the team with four goals and six assists for 10 points against Oshawa. Kew now has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in just two games since returning to the floor this season.
Jack Hannah also continues to make noise since being acquired by the Mammoth. He finished the night with a goal and six assists.
For Oshawa, Alex Simmons recorded a 10-point night, followed by Tye Kurtz with six points. However, production dropped off after that. Dyson Williams had four assists on Saturday night but was unable to find the back of the net.
The Firewolves made headlines earlier in the week by trading for Dawson Theede, but he wasn’t a major factor on Saturday night. Theede’s lone goal came as the opening marker of the game. Otherwise, he finished with eight shots on net and six loose balls.
In goal, Dillon Ward was once again spectacular for the Mammoth. Colorado was outshot 60-53, yet Ward made 49 saves in the win.
First Quarter
Oshawa got on the board quickly, with Theede finding the back of the net just 41 seconds into the game.
The Mammoth tied it up at the 1:13 mark when Will Malcom scored for Colorado.
Alex Simmons had the hot stick early, scoring twice for the Firewolves. He found the net at 4:55 and added another at 7:05 to give Oshawa a 3-1 lead.
Things began to fall apart for the Firewolves in the final five minutes of the opening quarter, as Colorado went on a 4-0 run.
Kew scored with 4:57 left on the clock and, just 26 seconds later, Malcom beat Doug Jamieson to tie the game 3-3.
Thomas Vela then gave Colorado the lead with 3:39 remaining, and Kew added another 29 seconds later as the Mammoth took a 5-3 lead after the first quarter.
Second Quarter
The Mammoth opened the second quarter on their only power play of the game. Kew capitalized on the man advantage at the 1:15 mark to put Colorado up 6-3.
However, the Firewolves didn’t go down quietly. Kurtz scored at 2:11, followed by Simmons at 4:20.
Zac Masson buried a feed from Mike Byrne just eight seconds later, suddenly tying the game at 6-6.
Colorado regained the lead at 6:09, as Jordan Gilles found Tim Edwards for the Mammoth’s go-ahead goal.
Oshawa answered again, with Kurtz scoring at 7:50 to tie the game 7-7.
Owen Rahn rounded out the second-quarter scoring with six minutes left on the clock, giving the Mammoth a slim 8-7 lead at halftime.
Third Quarter
Colorado pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Firewolves 4-2.
The first goal of the frame didn’t come until the 5:03 mark, when Braedon Saris found the back of the net.
Rahn made it a three-goal lead at 7:31, and Hannah capped off a three-goal run at the 8:08 mark.
Oshawa responded with a two-goal surge to stay within striking distance. Simmons scored at 9:55, followed by Kurtz at 11:03.
Kew closed out the quarter with a goal in the final minute, giving Colorado a 12-9 lead heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Oshawa struck first in the final frame, with Kurtz beating Ward on the power play 1:29 into the quarter.
From there, the period remained scoreless until Vela found the back of the net for Colorado with 3:54 left to play.
The Firewolves answered 33 seconds later, as Patrick Kaschalk scored for Oshawa.
However, the Mammoth put the game out of reach. Rahn scored with 2:14 remaining, and Owen Down added an unassisted empty net goall with 1:10 left on the clock.
A bizarre moment capped off the game. With 20 seconds remaining, Ward kicked the ball toward the middle of the floor after a whistle, believing he was assisting the officials. He was assessed a delay-of-game penalty and, after disputing the call, was also given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. As a result, the Mammoth played the final 20 seconds with two players in the penalty box serving minors on Ward’s behalf.
In the end, it didn’t matter, as the Mammoth held on for a 15-11 win to extend their winning streak to four games.
Owen Rahn gave his thoughts after the game:
Top Scorers
Colorado Mammoth
- Andrew Kew, 4g 6a
- Jack Hannah, 1g 6a
- Will Malcom, 2g 4a
Oshawa Firewolves
- Alex Simmons, 4g 6a
- Tye Kurtz, 4g 2a
- Dyson Williams, 4a
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