Vancouver’s shiny new professional lacrosse team played their first two home games at the Langley Events Centre this past week, earning their first victories of the season.

The Stealth moved north from Everett, Washington this past NLL off-season, where they had experienced league-low attendance despite success on the floor. The Stealth played in the NLL championship game 3 of the last 4 seasons, winning the big prize in 2010.

I do enjoy the game, but when it comes to the sport’s nuances I’m admittedly as green as the playing surface. So, instead of feigning my way through dissecting the game’s intricacies, I’m instead going to go over a few things that stuck out to me.

• The game is absolutely vicious. I know this is hardly news, but being in attendance, it is remarkable how violent and brutal the game is/can be. That being said, I never got the impression that any of it was terribly inappropriate or unsuitable for the children in attendance. Why? Simple because:

• Dirtballs: There aren’t any.  That’s a blanket statement that is likely wrong. However, on Friday night, the level of respect shown by all players was noticeable. No hits from behind, no elbows chin-high and numerous occasions where a vulnerable opponent was legitimately avoided. Truly commendable.

• Personnel issues. Perhaps this is a regular occurrence (and if it is, I don’t understand why), but there were a number of instances where the Stealth found themselves shorthanded – for no reason. Players were hollering at the bench for an extra player who inadvertently missed their change.  Add this to the back–to-back Too Many Men penalties charged to the Mammoth and I can’t help but question the teams’ abilities to count to 5.

• Too much music. Prepare to be bombarded with selections from Collective Soul, Darude, Rednex etc. all night. No, like ALL night. I had a headache going into the game, and left with full-blown migraine. Mind you, I’m as curmudgeon-y as one of Statler or Waldorf so that’s probably my own issue.

• The PA Announcer hates the away team. Granted most PA guys try to get through announcing the visitors’ scoring plays quickly, but this guy really, really, really hates it. It was like each syllable caused a baby to cry. The Mammoth’s player’s names just sort of congealed into this gooey mess of noise. I loved it.

• Bombshells. Yep. Sure. Well done Stealth, well done.  You can acquaint yourself with the Bombshells here: http://www.stealthlax.com/bombshells

The game itself was an outstanding spectacle of speed, skill and physicality. The Stealth found themselves battling the entire game after falling behind 3-0 early in the 1^st quarter.

Each time Vancouver drew close, the Mammoth would respond and pull further ahead – until the 4^th quarter. On four separate occasions the Stealth battled back to tie the game and force overtime.

Just 58 seconds into OT, an extended review washed out a Mammoth goal due to a crease violation, giving Vancouver the chance to send their fans home happy.

Shortly after the disallowed goal, Lewis Ratcliffe played hero when he ripped a shot off the post and in at 2:18 of the extra frame.

The goal gave the Stealth the victory despite never holding a lead in the game.

NLL action returns to the Langley Events Centre this Saturday night when the Stealth take on the undefeated Edmonton Rush. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.

If you’d like to take in the game (and I suggest you do), you can purchase tickets here.