Sports Radio Service


		Mammoth keep ball away from Stealth By Ralph A. Gora February 19, 2005

	SAN JOSE - Friday night at HP Pavilion was just another night in the office for the San Jose Stealth. The Stealth, who have won one game in at home in four tries lost to the Colorado Mammoth Friday night by a final of 14-6. The last time the Stealth won at home was against the Mammoth on Jan. 29. That game was a lot closer than the one Friday night as the Mammoth held the ball much of the time in the San Jose zone and fired shots-a-plenty at goaltenders Rob Blaisdell and starter Anthony Cosmo. In the contest. the Stealth saw the Mammoth score three unanswered goals to make the score 9-3 in the third period. San Jose cut the lead to 9-5 when Gary Rosyski scored at 2:52. At that point both the Mammoth and the Stealth battled for dear life. Being four goals down, the Stealth still had some life in them and they wouldn't be ruled out. The Stealth ended up removing starter Cosmo in the third period for Blaisdell. At 13:44 in the fourth period, the Mammoth took a five-goal lead and the wind out of the Stealth's sails. Colorado added another goal at 11:52 in the fourth period for a six-goal edge for the second time in the game. The credit this time went to forward Brian Langtry, who found the back of the net to make it 11-5. With 5:41 left, the Stealth definitely felt the pressure of the Mammoth offense, who never let up all night. The Mammoth dominated with a strict diet of passing, feeding, and weaving shots that found the back of the net many times. The Stealth did get the final say with a goal scored by Gary Rosyski with 14.5 seconds left. San Jose ended up losing its fourth of the year, 14-6. The Stealth might have better luck on the road as they have won twice. They face the Mammoth again Feb. 24 at the Pepsi Center in Denver as the ball drops at 6 p.m. Inside scoop: Working the game at a hockey facility, word was that Phoenix Coyotes owner and much-respected hockey figure Wayne Gretzky is going to take the reins of the NHL labor dispute and try to get some of the major owners and players union leaders to sit down again this weekend and hash an agreement out. Gretzky says, "we're this close. Let's bridge the difference today, right now." Ralph Gora covers the San Jose Stealth with Jeremy Harness, Michael Duca, and Gary Araki. Ralph hosts Sportstalk on KVVN 1430 San Jose and KLIB 1110 Sacramento.