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EAST WINS ALL-STAR GAME, 20-16

Steenhuis scores six goals to earn MVP honors

03/11/2007

The Eastern Division All-Stars defeated the Western Division All-Stars 20-16 at Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon on Saturday evening in front of 12,856 fans. Mark Steenhuis of the Buffalo Bandits scored seven points on six goals and one assist and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Steenhuis becomes the first player in NLL history to win the honor twice, having also won the award in 2004. With the win the Eastern Division improves to 3-1 over the Western Division all-time.

Buffalo Bandits forward John Tavares opened the scoring with a goal just 29 seconds into the contest. With the point Tavares became the All-Time leading All-Star Game scoring leader, passing Paul Cantabene. Tavares entered the contest tied with Cantabene with 18 career All-Star Game points. Tavares scored once more in the opening frame as the Eastern Division took a 6-4 lead into the first break. Ryan Powell of the hometown Portland LumberJax led the Western Division with two goals in the first.

In the second quarter Philadelphia Wings rookie Geoff Snider scored first for the Eastern Division as the East All-Stars pulled out to a 7-4 lead. The West fired back with consecutive goals by Colin Doyle (San Jose Stealth), Gavin Prout (Colorado Mammoth) and Lewis Ratcliff (Calgary Roughnecks) to tie the game at seven, midway through the second quarter. However the Eastern Division outscored the Western Division 3-1 down the stretch in the first half to take a 10-8 lead into halftime.

The third quarter belonged to the Eastern Division as they outscored the Western Division 6-3 on the strength of three Mark Steenhuis goals. Ryan Powell scored twice more the Western Division in the quarter but the West All-Stars trailed 16-11 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Western Division clawed back scoring the first three goals of the period to pull within two. However, their comeback attempt came up short as the Eastern Division All-Stars held on to win 20-16.

The Eastern Division All-Stars improved their All-Time record to 3-1 over the Western Division All-Stars with the victory.

Buffalo Bandits transition player Mark Steenhuis was named All-Star Game MVP, becoming the first ever two time winner of the award. Steenhuis also won the award in 2004.

John Tavares finished the game with five points on four goals and an assist while rookie Geoff Snider scored three goals and added three assists to lead the Eastern Division. Goaltenders Matt Roik (Philadelphia Wings) and Brandon Miller (Chicago Shamrox) split time in goal for the East. Miller recorded 25 saves and allowed eight goals and was credited with the win.

Ryan Powell of the hometown Portland LumberJax scored four goals while Gavin Prout (Colorado Mammoth) scored eight points on three goals and five assists to lead the Western Division. Rob Blasdell (Arizona Sting) and Gee Nash (Colorado Mammoth) split time in goal.