Landsharks surprise Express in 13-12 win
Miron stands tall in Columbus goal
Bob Cochrane (Outsider's Guide Game Correspondent)

Led by strong play in goal from rookie Mike Miron and timely scoring from several different players, the Columbus Landsharks defeated the Montreal Express, 13-12, Friday night at Molson Centre.

A crowd of 9,296 was in attendance for the Express' third-ever home game, the largest crowd ever to watch professional lacrosse in Montreal, topping a 1975 playoff game between the Montreal Quebecois and Quebec Caribous of a previous National Lacrosse League.

The game had additional historical significance -- this was the first time these two teams had met, after the Express was carved out of the Landsharks in a complicated deal last June.

Prior to the game, it was the "Sixteen Show" at the center of the arena. Former Montreal Canadien Henri Richard, whose seize hangs from the rafters at Molson Centre, conducted a ceremonial face-off between the Landsharks' number sixteen, Neal Powless, and his Express counterpart in numbers, Ted Dowling. I did not notice who won the face-off, but Dowling left the floor with the "Pocket Rocket's" Canadiens jersey and Henri walked off with a Ted Dowling jersey.

When the game started, the Landsharks came out fast with two goals, the second by Bill Warder on a pass from goaltender Mike Miron which sent him on a breakaway. Tracey Kelusky scored one in this quarter despite being double-teamed whenever he had the ball in the Landsharks' end. He handled the coverage well, passing it off and giving his teammates several chances. Powless had a sure goal taken away from him -- he clearly had Curtis Palidwor beat but the ball was stuck in his stick! The first quarter was played at a fast pace by both teams with exciting action at both ends of the floor, and after one quarter, the scoreboard read Columbus 3, Montreal 2.

Ten goals were scored in the second quarter another fast-moving fifteen minutes. Three goals were scored by Ted Dowling in the quarter, one of them a remarkable shot that found its way through most of the Columbus defense and another while being checked by two Shark defenders. Mat Giles put home a pair, and Kelusky and Joe Hiltz also struck gold, as Montreal rode a 7-2 quarter to a 9-6 halftime lead.

Columbus shocked the Express, scoring twice in the first minute to start a run of five goals, grabbing an 11-9 lead like it was nothing. The 'Sharks then settled in to their game plan of keeping the Express defense on the floor and chasing them, a ploy which paid off a week ago in Ottawa. Montreal overcame that strategy in the last five minutes scoring two goals and firing several point blank shots at Miron from the edge of the crease, but Miron was up to the challenge and allowed only two of several hard shots that he did move to block. These shooters, Kelusky and Todd Richard, did not hit the immobile goalie, tying the score after three quarters at eleven goals apiece.

The fourth quarter featured end-to-end action, as both goaltenders were great. Powless scored early into the quarter to take the lead but Aime Caines tied it up again two minutes later. Gewas Schindler scored a thirty-footer with 9:09 remaining in the game, then both goaltenders took over, making great saves in the final minutes. The Express' last furious try for the tie failed, and the 'Sharks escaped with their second win in as many games after being the last team in the league to record a victory.

After the game, the three stars were announced as Dowling, first star; Miron, second star; and Kelusky, third star. All three deserved the honor, but consider that eight players scored for the Landsharks. This is looking like a team that does not need to rely on a few players to win games for them. A true team effort tonight and a well-deserved win.

The Montreal fans were really into the game, sounding as knowledgeable as fans in towns with far more tenure in the league. Booing, cheering and groaning at all the right times. Looks like the Express have found a home.

Game Report reprinted with permission from The Outsider's Guide to the NLL. (Original text is here.)