The Columbus Landsharks defeated the New York Saints, 18-13, Friday night at the Nassau Coliseum.

The Landsharks got out of the gate quickly, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead and outscoring the Saints 6-1 in the first quarter, on goals by six different players.

The Saints mounted a run in the second, scoring three in a row to make the score 6-4, but the 'Sharks scored five straight (again, five different scorers) to take a commanding 11-4 lead. Nick Carlson scored for the Saints, but Columbus responded with two of its own to take a 13-5 lead into the half.

Bryan Bendig scored out of the locker room for New York, but Pat Maddalena responded with two goals in 30 seconds to put the Landsharks up by nine, 15-6. The teams scored three goals each the rest of the period, with Columbus leading 18-9 after three quarters.

Matt Shearer scored ten minutes into the final quarter, ending a long scoring drought for both teams. His goal started a four-goal Saints run, but it was too little, too late, and Columbus held on for the victory.

Maddalena earned Game MVP honors for his six-goal, three-assist performance. Kasey Beirnes had a hat trick and three assists, while Gewas Schindler had two goals and three assists. Mike Miron got the win in net for Columbus with 46 saves.

Bendig led New York with two goals and three assists, while Gavin Prout pitched in with one goal and four assists. Four others had a pair of goals.

Greg Foster, making his debut in goal for the Saints, stopped four of five shots in an emergency start. Gord Nash and Phil Wetherup, New York's top two goaltenders, arrived just before the scheduled start of the game, due to flight delays.

After delaying the game 25 minutes, New York opened the game with Foster in goal, then switched to Nash after four minutes. Nash went the rest of the way, making 28 saves.

Columbus improves to 7-7, with its playoff hopes resting on its two remaining games. The Landsharks host the Vancouver Ravens tomorrow at Nationwide Arena, then travel to Ottawa for the season finale next weekend. The Saints fall to 2-13, hosting division rival New Jersey next weekend, in the season finale.

BOX SUMMARY
                                      1  2  3  4     TOT
Columbus Landsharks (7-7)             6  7  5  0  --  18
New York Saints (2-13)                1  4  4  4  --  13

COLUMBUS LANDSHARKS           NEW YORK SAINTS
               G - A   PTS                   G - A   PTS
Maddalena      6 - 3     9    Bendig         2 - 3     5
Beirnes        3 - 3     6    Prout          1 - 4     5
Arbuckle       0 - 6     6    Carlson        2 - 1     3
Schindler      2 - 3     5    Panos          2 - 1     3
Harasym        1 - 4     5    Shearer        2 - 1     3
Greer          1 - 3     4    Shanahan       2 - 0     2
Taylor         1 - 3     4    Culp           1 - 1     2
Dawson         2 - 0     2    Nash           0 - 2     2
Lough          0 - 2     2    Paccione       0 - 2     2
Francey        1 - 0     1    N Polanco      1 - 0     1
Judge          1 - 0     1    Shirk          0 - 1     1
                              Spallina       0 - 1     1

Shots on goal           50    Shots on goal           59
Saves made by (GA)      46    Saves made by (GA)      32
   Miron (13)        46          Nash (17)         28
                                 Foster (1)         4
Penalties                9    Penalties                9
Penalty Minutes         21    Penalty Minutes         21
Power Play Chances       7    Power Play Chances       7
Power Play Goals         4    Power Play Goals         3
   Maddalena          2          Shanahan           2
   Beirnes            1          Panos              1
   Dawson             1          
Shorthanded Goals        0    Shorthanded Goals        0
Loose Balls             90    Loose Balls             88
   Gillespie         16          Nash              14
   Greer             16          Prout             13
   Lough              9          Carlson            8
Faceoffs Won            16    Faceoffs Won            19
   Tapp         (16-19)          Ghedina      (12-10)
                                 Brothers     ( 7- 6)

  *** STATS OFFICIAL BY VERIFY WITH NEW YORK SAINTS ***