Final NLL statistics released last week by league statistician Larry Riley showed Boston players near the top of the heap in many categories. Goaltender Ted Gernaey, the man voted the Bolts’ Most Valuable Player this season, led all league net- minders in games (45), minutes (2261), goals against (584), and shots against (1976). No other NLL goalie played more than 2000 minutes in 1975, and Ted’s 19 wins ties him with Long Island’s Tim Barrie for the top spot in that department.
Forward Joe McCrea’s 42.7 shooting percentage was the best in the NLL for 1975. McCrea shot 47.6% in 20 games for the Toronto Tomahawks last year, the second-best mark in the NLL behind Philadelphia’s Bob Goulding. McCrea’s 130 points placed him 19th in the league scoring standings, the only Bolt besides Ivan Thompson to crack the NLL’s top 20.
The Bolts have a new mascot, “Thunder,” The Lucky Pig. Trainer Doug Kimbell was given the stuffed animal by a three-year old Bolts’ fan before Boston’s crucial regular season game vs. Maryland. Kimbell hung Thunder in the locker room, and the Bolts won the: game to qualify for the playoffs. Let’s hope Thunder helps bring the Nation’s Cup to Boston.
