Prout, Edmonton Edge Mammoth

by Matthew Iwanyk | NLL.com

DENVER -- Gavin Prout produced big time in his return to Denver as the Edmonton Rush (1-1) defeated the Colorado Mammoth (0-2) 14-13 at the Pepsi Center in Denver to win their first game of the season.

With 33 seconds left in the game Jamie Shewchuk of the Mammoth scored to bring the Mammoth within one goal, but that wasn't enough as the Edmonton Rush goalie Matt Disher made a big save late to seal the Rush victory.

The Colorado Mammoth Brothers Ilija and Alex Galic each controlled the score sheet for the Mammoth with Ilija scoring four goals and adding three assists, while Alex scored two goals and three assists. Forward Brian Langtry also netted three goals and four assists.

New Rush forward Brodie Merrill had a goal and five assists in his teams winning efforts while Ryan Ward scored four goals and added three assists. Andy Secore and Dean Hill each had three goals on the night.

In Gavin Prout's first game back in Colorado, where he spent his past six seasons, he was fired up for this game and it showed as he tallied seven assists. Early on in the game the Mammoth scoreboard had a tribute video to Prout followed by an ovation from the Mammoth crowd as Gavin Prout thanked the fans that cheered him on for years with a wave from the bench.

The Mammoth opened the scoring in the first half with Brian Langtry scoring just 56 seconds into the game. However, unlike last night the Edmonton Rush seemed to have found their chemistry and took the lead 2-1 early in the first quarter. The two teams exchanged goals throughout the entire first half with the Rush taking the 9-6 leading at halftime.

After being behind early in the third quarter 10-6, rookie Ilija Galic of the Mammoth took matters in his own hands scoring three consecutive goals and then assisted his brother Alex on the next Mammoth goal to bring the game to a 10-10 tie.

Playing on back-to-back nights, the Edmonton Rush came to Denver after a tough 15-7 loss against the Washington Stealth late Friday night.

Edmonton will host the Buffalo Bandits next Saturday at Rexall Place, while the Mammoth head to Minnesota on Friday and Philadelphia on Saturday.