The Boston Blazers defeated Orlando Titans 12-11 in double overtime on Saturday night.
BLAZERS WIN LONGEST GAME IN LEAGUE HISTORY
Blazers prevail over Titans in historic double overtime, 12-11
02/21/2010
By Dan Ventresca for NLL.com
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. With the game tied 11-11 at the end of regulation, the teams then played a scoreless 15-minute overtime period. It marks the first time two teams have ever done so since the league adjusted its overtime periods to 15 minutes in length. The historic contest came to end when Morris scored one minute and six seconds (1:06) into the second overtime period, ending a game that had over 76 minutes of playing time.
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 at 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.
The goaltenders certainly became a big part of the story, and two of the best in the game were both up to the task. Blazers' goaltender Anthony Cosmo made 36 saves on 47 shots faced, while Titans goaltender Matt Vince made 46 saves on 58 shots faced.
LONGEST GAMES IN LEAGUE HISTORY
#1 February 20, 2010 Boston Blazers at Orlando Titans, Blazers wins 12-11 in Double Overtime (2OT). Total Game Time Played of 76 Minutes and 6 seconds (76:06). Game-winning goal scored by Sean Morris.
#2 January 13, 2007 San Jose Stealth at Calgary Roughnecks. Stealth win 17-16 in Overtime. Total Game Time Played of 71 Minutes and 42 seconds (71:42). Game-winning goal scored by Luke Wiles.
#3 January 10, 2004 Arizona Sting at Anaheim Storm. Sting win 19-18 in Triple Overtime (3OT). Total Game Time Played of 70 Minutes and 45 Seconds (70:45). Game-winning goal by Peter Lough.
Following the 2004 season, the league changed the length of overtime periods from five to fifteen minutes.
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