Vancouver Stealth hosted the New England Black Wolves in a game they controlled until the dying minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Langley-based team held a 2-0 lead early in the first, 5-3 at the half, 9-8 after the third, but a late two-goal run in the fourth had the game tied up at 11, heading into overtime. The Black Wolves held the only possession in extra time and scored 45 seconds in, to secure the 12-11 victory, explained head coach and assistant general manager Jamie Batley.
“We are not happy about the outcome, but we are happy with how we played. I think this was our best effort of the season,” Batley said.
“I thought Eric Penney played really well, our faceoffs were a lot better tonight and we had the ball a lot more than most games and it helped to stop those runs,” he added.
Penney had the best game of his season making 48 stops including a 13-save fourth quarter, newly acquired Brendan Fowler won 15 faceoffs and was 56 per cent on the draw.
Rhys Duch and Joel McCready led the way offensively for the Stealth, both scoring two goals and two assists. Corey Small and Andrew Suitor each had a pair of goals, while Travis Cornwall had one goal and two assists. Matt Beers and Tony Malcom had the other markers for the Stealth.
Vancouver did not have much time to reflect on the game as immediately following the game, they hosted the popular Stealth Experience Night, where players, Bomber, and the Bombshells interacted with fans.
“All of these kids are here to support us, we may have come up on the wrong end of the scoresheet, but your night gets a lot better when you can do stuff like this,” said Beers, the Stealth captain.
“We really want to play hard for the fans and show them that they are important to us. But right now, it’s all about the kids here, it’s what really gives us the drive to keep going.”
Vancouver heads on the road in Week 13 action when they visit the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday, March 3, in Week 14 they will be on a bye-week, before returning home on March 17 to play against the Colorado Mammoth.
Tickets to the next home game are available online.
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Junior dancers sought
The Stealth are currently accepting registrations for their Junior Bombshells’ Night.
Participants, aged five to 15, get the opportunity to learn and dance with the NLL’s most popular dance team the Vancouver Stealth Bombshells, in a mini dance camp and half-time performance at the Stealth’s March 17 home game.
Click here for more information.
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Stealth ink Suitor for two more years
Vancouver Stealth announced today (Monday) that they have signed Andrew Suitor to a two-year extension, pending league approval.
The deal will see Suitor stay in Vancouver into the 2020 season.
Suitor has played in 10 games this season with the Stealth and has scored five goals, six assists, 11 points, and has collected 58 points.
Last Saturday, he scored his 50th goal of his career and is on pace for one of his most prolific seasons since 2012, said president and general manager Doug Locker.
“It is hard for me to put into words how I am feeling. Doug Locker, Denise Watkins, and Jamie Batley have shown so much faith in me and it means the world to me,” said Suitor.
“I feel like I have fit in perfectly with the guys and every player on this team. They are my family and I could not be happier about being here through the 2020 season.”
Suitor is an eight-year veteran in the National Lacrosse League, previously playing for the Rochester Knighthawks, New England Black Wolves (who they challenged Friday night), and Minnesota Swarm.
He was drafted in the first round (4th overall) in the 2010 NLL entry draft by Minnesota.
He has appeared in 96 games scoring 50 goals, 46 assists, 96 points, and has 300 penalty minutes.
He was the NLL transition player of the year and named to the all-pro first team in 2012. In 2011, he was named to the all-rookie team.
“Andrew has given this organization his total commitment since day one and is not only an outstanding lacrosse player but a first-class human being,” Locker said.
“It is impossible to put into words how valuable he is to our team. We are very proud that he will be representing the Stealth for the next several seasons.”
