Short of asking for help from his new bride, Tara, Colorado Mammoth goalkeeper Gee Nash won’t know until tonight if he is fully prepared for the team’s final regular-season home game, Thursday night against the San Jose Stealth at the Pepsi Center.
“The test will be once I get all my equipment on and actually get out to practice and get some shots,” Nash said. “That will really be what tells the tale, unless I want to strap on my pads in the basement and have my wife shoot on me.”
Among the fascinating aspects of the National Lacrosse League is the high level of play despite the absence of team practices. With players scattered across Canada and the United States working regular jobs during the week, game preparation is limited to one session the night before and a morning walk-through.
Given the schedule, returning from injury to peak form is dicey and the latest challenge for Nash and fellow Mammoth all-star John Gallant. Nash was sidelined the past 1 1/2 games because of a lower-back injury and Gallant has missed the past three games with a hamstring tear.
Colorado (11-3) can win its division with one win against the Stealth, either Thursday in Denver or Friday in San Jose, Calif.
“Obviously one of the goals is winning the division and gaining the home floor,” Gallant said. “But more than anything, we want to be playing our best lacrosse possible. If we play our best lacrosse, other things will fall into line.”
Nash and Gallant are optimistic, but uncertain, about playing Thursday against San Jose (8-6).
Nash, an Ajax, Ontario, resident, will stop for one more physical therapy treatment this afternoon on his way to the Toronto airport for a flight to Denver.
Gallant has been sprinting, but the quick starts and stops and change of directions he will experience at tonight’s practice will be a more valuable measure.
“I’ll have to see how the muscle handles that,” he said.
In the Stealth, the Mammoth faces premier scorers Jeff Zywicki and Colin Doyle and top-rated goalkeeper Anthony Cosmo.
“We know they’re going to be a pretty tough challenge, especially back to back,” Nash said.
Zywicki, who plays for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse in the summer, is tied with Colorado’s Dan Carey at 14th in the NLL with 70 points on 40 goals and 30 assists. Doyle ranks 16th with 69 points (19 goals and 50 assists).
Playoff picture
Three of the four division semifinal sites are set for the NLL playoffs. The Mammoth will play an undecided opponent Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Pepsi Center.
Rochester (12-2) will host a game April 20 and Buffalo (10-4) will host a game April 22.
In the West, Arizona (9-5) and San Jose have clinched berths. Calgary (7-7) can snare the final berth with a win over Edmonton or a win over Arizona and an Edmonton loss to Portland.
Edmonton (6-8) can clinch the final berth with weekend victories against visiting Portland and Calgary or a win over Calgary on Saturday and a Calgary loss to Arizona on Friday. In the East, Minnesota (7-7), Philadelphia (6-8) and Toronto (6-9) are vying for the last two berths.
