UNIONDALE, NY - Black tape stretched around Nick Murtha’s jaw, keeping swabs of cotton balls in place under a gash that required 20 stitches the day before.

When that practice shot drilled Murtha on the eve of the season opener, Lizards coach Jim Mulé was forced to start supplemental draft pick Joe Canuso in goal last night against the Boston Cannons at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

But Murtha, who took over the starting netminder position from the retired Greg Cattrano, had the medical staff work on fitting a protective device under his helmet throughout the first half, allowing him to return after halftime.

His presence provided the Lizards with a spark, as Murtha entered the contest after a shootout of a first half culminated with a 9-all tie. Seeing the offensives dominate play, the goalie told Mulé he could start the third quarter.

The coach listened, making the switch when the teams re-took the field. Murtha then provided the stabilizing presence, stopping 16 of 19 shots he faced as the Lizards pulled away for a 16-12 win in front of 4,572.

“Before the game, we were trying to come up with some sort of contraception that would keep my stitches from opening up,” Murtha said. “It was basically like tape all the way around [his head]. It was almost like a sling that way all the way around the top.

Canuso struggled in his Major League Lacrosse debut, allowing nine goals, including two each to Boston’s Brett Bucktooth and Matt Poskay. Though he praised the rookie, Mulé said kept looking over his shoulder on the sideline to see if Murtha was ready.

“We were badgering him to get in,” Mulé said with a laugh when asked if Murtha was demanding to play. “We needed a spark defensively. He said he would give it a shot.

“I was comfortable that would get to halftime before we would do anything. I wouldn’t have done anything in the middle of a quarter. “

Before the contest, the Lizards retired former defenseman and current assistant coach Pat McCabe's number. They also bestowed the same honor on Cattrano’s No. 2. After the game, Murtha said he consulted with the veteran goalie, and said the two spoke frequently in the offseason.

“He gave me encouraging words and it was good to see him and get his support,” said Murtha, who was Cattrano’s backup for four seasons with the Lizards. “When I was backing up Greg, I learned so much. He was a great mentor.”

The Lizards’ success now rests in Murtha’s hands, as the former John Hopkins standout returns to Long Island after finishing 0-8 for the expansion Chicago Machine in 2006. He returned to his first MLL team this winter, this time as the primary goalie.

“This is our first game of the season. It took us the first half to get into it,” Murtha said. “I made a couple of stops and our offense put it away. When our offense really starts scoring and starts meshing, it takes pressure off the defense.”

Murtha said he did not even know who shot the ball that caused the gash on his face the day before. His return sparked his team, something that was desperately needed after a 5-7 season. The Lizards have not finished above .500 since 2003.

“It was a three-on-two drill,” Murtha said about the injury. “It was a clear shot. I took it right in the chin. The ball was lodged in my facemask. I went to pull it out, and there was blood.”

The cut could not stop the Manhasset native, and a return to the MLL playoffs will hinge on his ability to stay on the field for the rest of the 12-game regular season schedule.

  E-mail this story |  Printer-friendly |  Discuss