Danny Kelly has emphasized defense since taking over as Blast coach nearly two years ago, and the strategy has enabled his team to lead the league in fewest points allowed.
But his defenders did more than just help protect the goal against Philadelphia on Friday, as they accounted for four of the Blast?s nine goals in a dominating, 18-2 victory that leaves it one victory ?or a loss by California ? away from securing a playoff spot.
“If your defenders are scoring goals as well, their chipping in,” he said. “That?s a good thing.”
Kelly felt his team played one of its best games of the season, with the defenders blending with the offense, and the forwards helping on defense. Second-year defender Mike Lookingland, who had a goal and two assists, said the defense stole the show by holding Philadelphia to 16 shots and producing eight points, but winning was all that mattered.
Defenders Billy Nelson, P.J. Wakefield, Ryan Pierce and Lookingland each scored for the Blast, which improved to 15-9 ? two games behind league-leading Detroit (17-7) and Milwaukee (17-7).
“They don?t like when we get forward and take their glory, I bet,” Lookingland said with a smile. “But our forwards do a great job of playing defense. Everybody is trying to play both sides of the ball, and we don?t really care who scores the goals as long as we win the game.”
The defense also made for an easy night for Sagu, who needed to make just 12 saves.
“It?s a different mentality this year,” Sagu said. “Danny Kelly has done a great job of always teaching the guys to help the defenders. When we work together, I think we have more success.”
The Blast plays at California (9-15) in Stockton on Sunday night at 9:15 to begin a three-game road trip before hosting Chicago (14-11) on March 29.
“If California wins all their games, we?d have to lose all six of ours,” Lookingland said. “I?d say the odds are in our favor, but we don?t want to leave it up to California. We want to go out these next six games and build some momentum going into the playoffs.”
