The Mammoth will be stewing on this one all offseason.
Colorado had its season end in controversial fashion in the National Lacrosse League playoffs on Saturday, falling to the San Diego Seals 13-12 in overtime at Ball Arena. However, the Seals’ game-winning goal by Tre Leclaire that beat longtime Mammoth goalie Dillon Ward on the left shelf shouldn’t have counted.
NLL commissioner Brett Frood addressing Leclaire’s goal, noting the score “should have been disallowed.”
“After League review, the League has concluded that Leclair violated Rules 67.3 and 17.81 by being the first player to receive a pass after exiting the crease; as such the goal should have been disallowed and possession awarded to Colorado,” Frood wrote.
Because of that officiating mishap, the referees from Saturday’s game will not be allowed to work any more games during the 2026 NLL playoffs.
Leclaire’s goal came off an assist from Wesley Berg, a former University of Denver and Denver Outlaws star. And it ended a strong performance from the veteran Ward, who made 55 saves in the defeat as Colorado blew a fourth-quarter lead.
The Mammoth, who won NLL titles in 2006 and 2022, were back in the playoffs after two straight years of not qualifying. They were the No. 2 seed after going 12-6 during the regular season. Colorado’s loss was one of three upsets in the opening round of the playoffs, while the three-time defending champion Buffalo Bandits were also eliminated in a loss to the Georgia Swarm.
