DENVER, CO It was a game of firsts as the San Diego Seals played their first game and earned their first win in franchise history as they took down the Colorado Mammoth, 17-12, on Saturday night at Pepsi Center.
“I’m so happy for the guys, our leadership and everyone back in San Diego,” said general manager and head coach Patrick Merrill. “I felt that we were a determined group tonight. It was a special night for them and they rose to the occasion.”
Defenseman Garrett McIntosh scored the first goal in franchise history just over halfway through the first quarter.
“It’s been the running joke throughout the locker room that I would score the first goal,” said McIntosh. “I had the highest shooting percentage in the league last year and it was something that everyone kind of joked about. I’m a transition guy and [scoring a goal] isn’t a bad way to get the season started.”
Forward’s Austin Staats and Connor Kearnan both made their NLL debuts, and each scored their first NLL goal. First overall pick Austin Staats dominated his first game as a professional netting five goals and finishing the contest with nine points.
“It was an absolute dream come true,” said Staats. “I have thought about this moment, playing in my first NLL game, since I was a little kid. To go out there and get the win with this group of guys is a dream come true.”
Goaltender Frank Scigliano made 44 saves and got the win in his Seals debut.
“I thought we all played well,” said Scigliano. “There was a lot of anticipation going into the game and no one really knew what we had, but we went out there and played for each other tonight.”
Forward Kyle Buchanan earned his 200th career assist and finished the game with eight points. Forward Turner Evans had six points in the contest and forward Dan Dawson had five helpers.
The San Diego Seals host their inaugural season home-opener on Saturday, January 12 at 7:00pm PST at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Single game tickets are now on sale at SealsLax.com.
