The Colorado Mammoth’s season – and Gary Gait’s 15- year career in the National Lacrosse League – ended with a whimper.
Colorado’s 16-13 season-ending loss at Arizona in the NLL playoffs Friday night was a microcosm of the season.
“Disappointing sums up the entire season,” said general manager Steve Govett, who projected an NLL title following a league-best 13-3 record and semifinal elimination in 2004.
In the aftermath, Govett said Gait, 38, wondered if he might have stuck around one season too long.
The production of the NLL’s all-time scoring leader was down. Gait scored 81 points, including 33 goals, in 2005, after scoring 93 points, including 55 goals, in 2004. But Gait, who never would reveal the depths of his aches, remained one of the best players on the floor.
He scored once against Arizona and made four assists, the last pair to Brian Langtry as the Mammoth drew within one, then tied the game at 13-13.
Langtry led Colorado with five goals and Brad Self scored three goals.
“Brian worked his tail off and didn’t give up,” Govett said.
Arizona boasted a greater array of talent: long-armed Dan Dawson, who scored four goals, including the game-winner, and late-season acquisition Craig Conn, who scored five goals.
In a playoff game that featured seven ties and six lead changes, Colorado’s offense clicked for a 7-3 lead – then lost its punch as the Sting scored five of the next six goals.
After an exchange of goals, Mammoth penalties allowed the quick-passing Sting to regain command with two power- play goals and the dream of sending out Gait with a champ- ionship faded.
“We brought in the right talent,” Govett said. “I stand by who we brought in, but something was missing.”
Along with Gait’s dropoff, Gavin Prout, a passing and shooting sensation, didn’t dominate. The 27-year-old all-star fell from a 91-point total in 2004 to 78 points in 2005 and managed just one goal and one assist against the Sting.
Govett plans to meet with coaches and players to chart a course for next season. In the meantime, Gait’s No. 22 will be retired by the Mammoth and NLL teams will vote on a league-wide retirement of his number.