The Washington Stealth debut with a 17 – 8 win over the Colorado Mammoth

Over 4,700 fans lacrosse fans livened up Comcast Arena on Saturday night for the inaugural game of the Washington Stealth, welcoming the action of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) to Everett. Fans traveled from not only Western Washington but as far south as San Jose and Portland, and as far north as British Columbia.

“We hope the community comes out to support the Stealth team the way the Seattle-area community has supported Sounders soccer,” commented Stealth Bombshells dance team member Tricia, who was selling 50/50 raffle tickets on the concourse before the game.

“These guys are very passionate about what they do and they feed off the crowd,” she added. Tricia is from Bellevue and has previously been a member of the dance teams for the Seattle Sonics and WSU.

Bill Norton from Toledo, WA is a newly converted Stealth fan (pictured above). “Mr Bill” Norton avidly attended the NLL Portland Lumberjax games for four years. Portland’s NLL team folded after last season and some of the former Lumberjax players now play for the Stealth.

“Everybody’s having a great time tonight, people are into it,” Norton commented. He is one of several Portland-area fans who traveled north to root for the Lumberjax’s former rivals, the Stealth, who used to play in San Jose.

“The Stealth have the best goalie in the league. He killed the Portland team last year,” Norton added.

Greg and Sue Hanson of Portland are devoted lacrosse fans who purchased season tickets for the Stealth. Their seats at Comcast Arena are close to the action, just 2 rows off the glass.

“We love this game and I don’t even like sports, but I like THIS sport,” Sue commented.

So what is it about lacrosse that Sue likes above all other sports?

“The action is fast paced and aggressive. They get to hit each other with sticks!” she exclaimed. “And it’s truly a team sport.”

The game on Saturday night truly was a fast paced team sport, with lots of scoring.

Before the game started the team introduction was a very hyped up NBA-style display, with loud music (Metallica), bouncing dance team girls and a colorful announcer pumping up each Stealth player.

“With the best moustache in the league, please welcome number 44 Travis Gillespie,” was one somewhat humorous player introduction.

As the game action started, the play by play announcer was very active on the microphone by rooting on the Stealth, helping to explain lacrosse rules to the fans, and at least a couple times, mildly trash talking the opposing team the Colorado Mammoth.

There were breaks in the action when trainers assisted injured players, including the Colorado goalie, Curtis Palidwor who took a painful shot to the face. And there were breaks in the lacrosse game when fights broke out. With less than a minute to play in the 3rd period, a brawl erupted on the field as Stealth rookie Matt Beers and the aforementioned mustachioed Travis Gillespie simultaneously fought two Colorado Mammoth players.

As a contrast to these testosterone fueled displays on the field, the tightly choreographed Bombshells dance team took the field for minute-long routines during timeouts. More than just eye candy, the Bombshells put on a professional show.

The Stealth always had the lead in the game. By the fourth quarter the Stealth had scored their 14th goal. It was then announced to the fans that if the Stealth scored a 15th goal, Brooklyn Brothers Pizza on Hewitt Ave would offer a free slice of pizza on Monday through Thursday in the upcoming week to anymore presenting a Stealth ticket stub from Saturday night’s game.

And the 15th Stealth goal was delivered thanks to Jeff Zywicki, who had 5 goals total in the game. He was just one goal short of scoring what’s known in lacrosse and a “sock trick.” If a player scores 6 goals in one game, indoor lacrosse fans will throw their socks onto the field, not unlike a hat trick in hockey when fans throw their hats on the ice.

With 4,737 in attendance on Saturday night, that would have been a lot of dirty socks to clean up. Zywicki’s sock trick didn’t happen but he did earn player of the game honors.

The Stealth are hoping for an even bigger turnout for their next game against a much improved Edmonton Rush squad. They take part in another West Division battle on Friday, January 15 at the Comcast Arena. Tickets are available now and can be purchased by calling 877-MY-75-TIX or at www.stealthlax.com.

Also for more info about the Stealth visit Tyler Fitch’s fan blog:
http://www.thestealthdragon.com