The 2008 National Lacrosse League season will conclude this Saturday evening when the Portland Lumberjax (6-10) square off with the Buffalo Bandits in the Edge 2008 National Lacrosse League Championship Game. Faceoff at HSBC Arena is at 7:30. Buffalo will seek their fourth title, and first since 1996, in their eighth appearance in the finals. This will be Portland's first ever NLL final.
Postseason Results and History
The Bandits were victorious at home over Philadelphia (14-12) on May 2 and New York (19-12) on May 10. Portland's literal road to the title game led them to wins at San Jose (18-16) on May 4 and at Calgary (16-12) on May 10. Buffalo is 17-10 in overall postseason play while Portland is 2-1.
Regular Season History and Stats
The Bandits and Lumberjax have met three times in regular season play with Buffalo holding a 2-1 edge. In the final regular season game for both teams, the Bandits defeated Portland 14-10 in Buffalo on April 26. John Tavares had four goals and four assists to lead the Bandits while Peter Jacobs scored four goals and Brodie Merrill added four helpers to lead Portland. Tavares was Buffalo's point leader with 87 (29G, 58A) while Mark Steenhuis had 34 goals. Ken Montour had a 10.23 GAA for Buffalo, good for second in the NLL. Portland was paced by Dan Dawson with 81 points (38G, 43A) and an 11.22 GAA from Matt Disher (10.83 with the Jax following his acquisition from Edmonton).
Playoff Leaders
Goals: Buffalo: Mark Steenhuis - 7; Portland: Dan Dawson - 12*
Assists: Buffalo: John Tavares - 12*; Portland: Dawson and Peter Morgan - 10
Points: Buffalo: Tavares - 15; Portland - Dawson - 22*
Saves: Buffalo: Mike Thompson - 46; Portland - Matt Disher - 53
* - Playoff leader
Playoff Notes
This will be the third appearnce in the championship game in four seasons for Dan Dawson (with Arizona in 2005 and 2007) and Ken Montour (Arizona in 2005, Buffalo in 2006). Derek Malawsky and Brad MacDonald were teammates with Dawson on last season's Arizona squad that fell to Rochester.
The 1992 Bandits will be in the building both on the floor and behind the bench Saturday night. Playing for the Bandits will be lone original players John Tavares and Rich Kilgour while brother Darris coaches the squad. Tavares and Darris Kilgour have been a part of each of Buffalo's championship appearances, while Rich Kilgour has played in all but the first, missing the 1992 game due to injury. Their 1992 teammate, Derek Keenan, coaches the Lumberjax and is seeking his seventh ring, having been on the roster of three title teams as a player (Buffalo 1992 and 1993) and Toronto (1999) while earning three more as a Rock assistant (2000, 2002, 2003).
Portland is the first team since the 1992 Philadelphia Wings (3-5), and fourth overall (both Washington and Baltimore in the inaugural season of 1987 were 2-4) to make the championship game with a record below .500. Current Jax netminder Dallas Eliuk was a part of that 1992 Wings team. Eliuk has faced the Bandits in four previous title matches with a 1-2 record in those games. Eliuk was the championship MVP in the Wings 1998 and 2001 victories.
Pick
While Buffalo may be the more experienced team in the postseason, Portland has its share of title game experienced players. That and a carefree attitude since many fans and media didn't expect them to be in this game. While Buffalo has a 9-2 home record (including playoffs) this season, they have never won a title game in HSBC (1997, 2006) and Portland has not lost a road playoff game. If Eliuk plays, he could be the key to a Portland win. Buffalo is explosive on offense while Portland has outscored the Bandits 34-33 in the playoffs after finishing ahead of only Toronto, Chicago and Edmonton during the regular season in that department. Yet I think it will be the better defensive team that takes home the Champion's Cup on Saturday. And that will be Buffalo.
Bandits 14, Lumberjax 12
