Blazers Outlast Titans in Longest game in NLL History
By Dan Ventresca
Orlando, FLA (Saturday, February 20) -In the longest game in NLL history, Sean Morris won the game for the Boston Blazers (4-4) in double overtime 12-11 against the Orlando Titans (3-2) in Orlando Saturday night.
In a physical first half that saw fourteen total penalties assessed, the Blazers jumped out to an early 4-1 lead after Jordan Hall opened up the scoring for Orlando.
Forward Brendan Thenhaus scored two of those four goals and assisted on another. In Boston's 13-9 win over the Titans on Jan. 23, Thenhaus racked up three goals and two helpers. Boston led at the half 7-6.
After Orlando had a Casey Powell goal called back for a crease violation early in the third quarter, Ryan Boyle put the Titians ahead 7-8. Boston answered quickly though as Daryl Veltman beat goalie Matt Vinc with a crank shot.
Hall scored his third goal of the game on the powerplay, putting Orlando up 10-8. Veltman made it a one-score game with 5:57 remaining, but forward Pat Maddalena's second tally of the night gave the Titans an 11-9 advantage.
Brett Queener brought Boston within one – 11-10 – with 30 seconds left in the game. With six seconds remaining, the Blazers won possession and forward Jamie Rooney ripped a shot from the point past Vinc to tie the game as the clock expired.
After a scoreless first overtime, Morris unleashed a shot from the point that beat Vinc and brought the Blazers back to .500.