By Tom Hoffman
With four teams down and four left standing, the National Lacrosse League will determine the Champion’s Cup finalists on Saturday evening when both Divisional Finals games will take place. Both games can be seen live on the NLL Network at NLL.com while the Toronto-Buffalo match will also be shown Sunday at 2PM on Versus.
Eastern Division Final
Toronto Rock (11-6) at Buffalo Bandits (11-6), 7:30 PM at HSBC Arena
Regular Season: Buffalo won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: This will be the third meeting in postseason. Toronto won last season’s East Semi-Final 13-11 at Air Canada Centre while Buffalo took a 19-10 decision in the 2004 East Final.
How they got here: Toronto scored seven straight goals after falling behind 3-1 and held on to defeat the Rochester Knighthawks 10-8 last Sunday at Air Canada Centre. Garrett Billings and Colin Doyle each put up three goals and three assists for the Rock. Buffalo got a goal from John Tavares with 40 seconds left in regulation to lead the Bandits to an 11-10 win at home over the Boston Blazers last Saturday. The game winner came after Boston scored four consecutive goals to tie the game. The goal was the third of the game for Tavares, who also added four assists while teammate Roger Vyse chipped in four goals.
X-Factors: Toronto does not want to be trailing at halftime or going into the fourth quarter as the Bandits are 9-0 when leading at the half and after three quarters (including playoffs) this season. Buffalo should feel the same way; the Rock has a 10-1 record when leading at halftime and 11-1 after three. The teams’ pre-season scrimmage and second regular season tilt both were fight filled affairs. While the playoffs are high spirited expect both teams to keep a lid on the extracurricular activities.
Western Division Final
Washington Stealth (9-8) at Calgary Roughnecks (12-5), 9:30 PM at Scotiabank Saddledome
Regular Season: Calgary won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: This will be the third meeting in the postseason with Calgary having won the previous meetings (15-14 in 2004 and 17-5 in 2009).
How they got here: The defending champion Stealth defeated the Minnesota Swarm 14-8 last Saturday at Xcel Energy Center. Washington outscored the Swarm 8-2 in the second half to run away with the victory. Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff each tallied three goals for the Stealth. Calgary won at home 10-6 over the Colorado Mammoth last Saturday night. A four goal second quarter was the difference for the Roughnecks, who were led by hat tricks from Dane Dobbie and Scott Ranger. Jeff Shattler added a goal and four assists for Calgary.
X-Factors: This will be the first matchup between the teams’ brotherly faceoff artists (Calgary’s Geoff and Washington’s Bob). These were the NLL’s top two teams (Washington 1st, Calgary 2nd) in scoring while both were near the bottom (Calgary 8th, Washington 9th) in defense. Washington has won three straight in Calgary since their loss in the 2009 DF. Both teams are undefeated when leading after three (Calgary 8-0, Washington 6-0). Both teams want to stay out of the penalty box (Washington 1st in Power play at 49.4%, Calgary 2nd at 45.4%).
LaxPhilly picks: Buffalo and Washington. Record of 2-2 last week.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
2011 NLL Divisional Semi-Finals Preview
By Tom Hoffman
With the 2011 regular season complete, the National Lacrosse League's postseason gets underway this weekend with three games on Saturday and one on Sunday. All games can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com. Here is a brief look at each of the opening round games.
Boston Blazers (10-6) at Buffalo Bandits (10-6)
Saturday, April 30 7:30PM at HSBC Arena
Regular Season: Buffalo won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: Buffalo won the lone meeting in 2009 11-8.
Team Leaders
Boston: Goals - Casey Powell (34), Assists - Dan Dawson (59), Points - Dawson(90), GAA - Anthony Cosmo(9.66).
Buffalo: Goals - John Tavares (32), Assists - Tavares (46), Points - Tavares (78), GAA - MIke Thompson (9.67).
X-Factors: Buffalo dropped their last two games overall and last three at home while Boston won their final two games, one a 16-9 decision at Buffalo on April 16, after losing five straight. Will the real Bandits and Blazers please stand up?
Colorado Mammoth (5-11) at Calgary Roughnecks (11-5)
Saturday, April 30 8:30 PM at Scotiabank Saddledome
Regular Season: Colorado won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: This will be the fifth meeting, Calgary has won three of the four previous meetings. The last matchup went to Calgary 15-8 in 2009.
Team Leaders
Colorado: Goals - John Grant (36), Assists - Grant (47), Points - Grant (83), GAA - Chris Levis (9.99).
Calgary: Goals - Dane Dobbie (34), Assists - Jeff Shattler (46), Points - Dobbie and Shattler (75), GAA - Mike Poulin (11.03).
X-Factors: Colorado went 4-3 after reacquiring Gavin Prout from the Edmonton Rush on March 15. Colorado is 5-0 when allowing less than 10 goals, 0-11 when allowing 10 or more. Will this be Calgary's last ever home game, or last ever game? Will all the talk of folding/relocating affect the Roughnecks?
Washington Stealth (8-8) at Minnesota Swarm (8-8)
Saturday, April 30 8:30 PM at Xcel Energy Center
Regular Season: Minnesota won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: Washington won the only meeting last season 14-10.
Team Leaders
Washington: Goals - Rhys Duch (42), Assists - Lewis Ratcliff (51), Points - Ratcliff (92), GAA - Tyler Richards (11.61).
Minnesota: Goals - Ryan Benesch (46), Assists - Benesch (49), Points - Benesch (95), GAA - Nick Patterson (11.08).
X-Factors: Could be the highest scoring of the four opening round games, two high scoring offenses and two suspect defenses. The defending champion Stealth played better away from Comcast Arena though the Swarm won their last three home games.
Rochester Knighthawks (10-6) at Toronto Rock (10-6)
Sunday, May 1 3:30 PM at Air Canada Centre
Regular Season: Toronto won the season series 3-0.
Playoff History: This will be the seventh postseason match between the teams. Toronto holds a 4-2 edge though Rochester has won the last two meetings (2006 and 2007).
Team Leaders
Rochester: Goals - Cody Jamieson (28), Assists - Shawn Williams (53), Points - Williams (76), GAA - Matt Vinc (9.77)
Toronto: Goals - Stephan LeBlanc (33), Assists - Blaine MAnning (52), Points - LeBlanc (76), GAA - Bob Watson (10.09)
X-Factors: Rochester may have been the NLL's hottest team down the stretch winning their last three games and going 6-2 after a weekend sweep by the Rock. Toronto dropped their last three with two of the losses coming to the NLL's playoff outsiders (Philadelphia and Edmonton). Toronto was a league best 7-1 at home while Rochester tied with Buffalo having a 6-2 road record.
Picks to win: Buffalo, Rochester, Washington and Colorado.
With the 2011 regular season complete, the National Lacrosse League's postseason gets underway this weekend with three games on Saturday and one on Sunday. All games can be seen on the NLL Network at NLL.com. Here is a brief look at each of the opening round games.
Boston Blazers (10-6) at Buffalo Bandits (10-6)
Saturday, April 30 7:30PM at HSBC Arena
Regular Season: Buffalo won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: Buffalo won the lone meeting in 2009 11-8.
Team Leaders
Boston: Goals - Casey Powell (34), Assists - Dan Dawson (59), Points - Dawson(90), GAA - Anthony Cosmo(9.66).
Buffalo: Goals - John Tavares (32), Assists - Tavares (46), Points - Tavares (78), GAA - MIke Thompson (9.67).
X-Factors: Buffalo dropped their last two games overall and last three at home while Boston won their final two games, one a 16-9 decision at Buffalo on April 16, after losing five straight. Will the real Bandits and Blazers please stand up?
Colorado Mammoth (5-11) at Calgary Roughnecks (11-5)
Saturday, April 30 8:30 PM at Scotiabank Saddledome
Regular Season: Colorado won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: This will be the fifth meeting, Calgary has won three of the four previous meetings. The last matchup went to Calgary 15-8 in 2009.
Team Leaders
Colorado: Goals - John Grant (36), Assists - Grant (47), Points - Grant (83), GAA - Chris Levis (9.99).
Calgary: Goals - Dane Dobbie (34), Assists - Jeff Shattler (46), Points - Dobbie and Shattler (75), GAA - Mike Poulin (11.03).
X-Factors: Colorado went 4-3 after reacquiring Gavin Prout from the Edmonton Rush on March 15. Colorado is 5-0 when allowing less than 10 goals, 0-11 when allowing 10 or more. Will this be Calgary's last ever home game, or last ever game? Will all the talk of folding/relocating affect the Roughnecks?
Washington Stealth (8-8) at Minnesota Swarm (8-8)
Saturday, April 30 8:30 PM at Xcel Energy Center
Regular Season: Minnesota won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: Washington won the only meeting last season 14-10.
Team Leaders
Washington: Goals - Rhys Duch (42), Assists - Lewis Ratcliff (51), Points - Ratcliff (92), GAA - Tyler Richards (11.61).
Minnesota: Goals - Ryan Benesch (46), Assists - Benesch (49), Points - Benesch (95), GAA - Nick Patterson (11.08).
X-Factors: Could be the highest scoring of the four opening round games, two high scoring offenses and two suspect defenses. The defending champion Stealth played better away from Comcast Arena though the Swarm won their last three home games.
Rochester Knighthawks (10-6) at Toronto Rock (10-6)
Sunday, May 1 3:30 PM at Air Canada Centre
Regular Season: Toronto won the season series 3-0.
Playoff History: This will be the seventh postseason match between the teams. Toronto holds a 4-2 edge though Rochester has won the last two meetings (2006 and 2007).
Team Leaders
Rochester: Goals - Cody Jamieson (28), Assists - Shawn Williams (53), Points - Williams (76), GAA - Matt Vinc (9.77)
Toronto: Goals - Stephan LeBlanc (33), Assists - Blaine MAnning (52), Points - LeBlanc (76), GAA - Bob Watson (10.09)
X-Factors: Rochester may have been the NLL's hottest team down the stretch winning their last three games and going 6-2 after a weekend sweep by the Rock. Toronto dropped their last three with two of the losses coming to the NLL's playoff outsiders (Philadelphia and Edmonton). Toronto was a league best 7-1 at home while Rochester tied with Buffalo having a 6-2 road record.
Picks to win: Buffalo, Rochester, Washington and Colorado.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
2011 Wings Lacrosse (at Minnesota 4-16-11)
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings (5-10) will conclude their 2011 National Lacrosse League season when they visit the Minnesota Swarm (6-8) at the Xcel Energy Center at 8:30 PM. The game will be shown live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 7-7 all time in regular season play against the Swarm, this will be the lone meeting in 2011. On the road the Wings are 3-4 against Minnesota. In 2010 the Wings swept the season series from Minnesota with a 20-11 win in Philadelphia on March 13 and a 13-12 overtime win in St. Paul on April 17. Brandon Miller earned both wins last season making 81 saves over the two games.
Last Weekend
The Wings lost a pair of games to end their hopes for a playoff berth this season. On Saturday the Wings fell to the Boston Blazers 9-7 in Boston and on Sunday lost to the Rochester Knighthawks 10-6 at The Wells Fargo Center. In both games the Wings entered the fourth quarter trailing 7-5 but could never get the tying or go ahead goals. Brandon Miller took the loss in Boston despite a 30 save performance while Kurtis Wagar made his Wings debut on Sunday and made 34 saves. Minnesota lost in overtime 16-15 to the Washington Stealth in Everett, WA last Saturday.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
Name the current Wing who was selected in the 2004 Expansion Draft by the Swarm? Answer at the end of the preview.
Notes
All time the Wings are 1-1 on April 16. In 1994 the Wings won their third Major Indoor Lacrosse League title defeating the Buffalo bandits 26-15. In 1999 the Wings suffered what may be the worst loss in their history when they fell 13-2 to the Toronto Rock in the NLL Semi Finals.
The Wings can top their 2010 record (5-11) by a game with a win over the Swarm. A win would also give them a .500 record away from Philadelphia. The last time the Wings finished .500 or better on the road was in 2004 (4-4).
Next Game
See you during the 2012 season.
Trivia Answer
Shawn Nadelen was chosen with the sixth pick in the 2004 Expansion Draft by Minnesota. Nadelen would be re-acquired by the Wings on February 8, 2005 (along with a first round draft pick in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft) with Ryan Ward and the Wings fourth round draft pick in the 2005 Entry Draft going to the Swarm.
The Philadelphia Wings (5-10) will conclude their 2011 National Lacrosse League season when they visit the Minnesota Swarm (6-8) at the Xcel Energy Center at 8:30 PM. The game will be shown live on the NLL Network at NLL.com.
History
The Wings are 7-7 all time in regular season play against the Swarm, this will be the lone meeting in 2011. On the road the Wings are 3-4 against Minnesota. In 2010 the Wings swept the season series from Minnesota with a 20-11 win in Philadelphia on March 13 and a 13-12 overtime win in St. Paul on April 17. Brandon Miller earned both wins last season making 81 saves over the two games.
Last Weekend
The Wings lost a pair of games to end their hopes for a playoff berth this season. On Saturday the Wings fell to the Boston Blazers 9-7 in Boston and on Sunday lost to the Rochester Knighthawks 10-6 at The Wells Fargo Center. In both games the Wings entered the fourth quarter trailing 7-5 but could never get the tying or go ahead goals. Brandon Miller took the loss in Boston despite a 30 save performance while Kurtis Wagar made his Wings debut on Sunday and made 34 saves. Minnesota lost in overtime 16-15 to the Washington Stealth in Everett, WA last Saturday.
Trivia
This season is the 25th season of Wings Lacrosse and the 10th anniversary of the Wings last championship victory in 2001. This column will feature a trivia question each week and will attempt to tie in the 2001 champions and/or other moments in Wings history, as well as that week’s opponent. This week’s question is:
Name the current Wing who was selected in the 2004 Expansion Draft by the Swarm? Answer at the end of the preview.
Notes
All time the Wings are 1-1 on April 16. In 1994 the Wings won their third Major Indoor Lacrosse League title defeating the Buffalo bandits 26-15. In 1999 the Wings suffered what may be the worst loss in their history when they fell 13-2 to the Toronto Rock in the NLL Semi Finals.
The Wings can top their 2010 record (5-11) by a game with a win over the Swarm. A win would also give them a .500 record away from Philadelphia. The last time the Wings finished .500 or better on the road was in 2004 (4-4).
Next Game
See you during the 2012 season.
Trivia Answer
Shawn Nadelen was chosen with the sixth pick in the 2004 Expansion Draft by Minnesota. Nadelen would be re-acquired by the Wings on February 8, 2005 (along with a first round draft pick in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft) with Ryan Ward and the Wings fourth round draft pick in the 2005 Entry Draft going to the Swarm.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wings end home schedule passing quietly into the night
By Tom Hoffman
Less than 24 hours after seeing their playoff hopes dashed in Boston, the Philadelphia Wings came home to the Wells Fargo Center and delivered what was their typical home performance for 2011. Looking tired and if they'd rather be elsewhere, the Wings again could find very little on the offensive end and ended their home schedule with a 2-6 record following Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks.
As both teams played Saturday night and had to travel to Philadelphia, play was sluggish in the first quarter. Only one goal was scored in the game's first 15 minutes and it gave the Wings their only lead of the day when Drew Westervelt tallied 10:37 into the stanza. Wings backup Kurtis Wagar, making his first start of the season, stopped all 12 Knighthawk shots in the first and kept Rochester off the board until Shawn Williams tied the game 6:09 into the second. At that point the Knighthawk offense arose from its slumber to score the game's next five goals before the Wings Max Seibald scored in the final minute of the half to make it a 5-2 game.
The second half didn't start any better when Mike Accursi and Craig Point extended the Rochester lead to 7-2. Then, much like the previous night in Boston, the Wings scored the next three goals to go into the last 15 minutes down just 7-5. By the time the Wings scored goal number six though, the Knighthawks had broken the game open on scores by Jordan Hall, Jarrett Davis and an empty netter by Chris Driscoll.
Westervelt scored a hat trick for the Wings, who missed Athan Iannucci for the third straight game. Ryan Boyle added a goal and three assists while Wagar made 34 saves in his Wings debut. With one game remaining next week against the Minnesota Swarm, the Wings will look to at least finish a game better than they did in 2010. In what was likely a more frustrating season that the 2010 debacle of 5-11, that is about as positive as it gets. What to expect in 2012 is anyone's guess.
Less than 24 hours after seeing their playoff hopes dashed in Boston, the Philadelphia Wings came home to the Wells Fargo Center and delivered what was their typical home performance for 2011. Looking tired and if they'd rather be elsewhere, the Wings again could find very little on the offensive end and ended their home schedule with a 2-6 record following Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Rochester Knighthawks.
As both teams played Saturday night and had to travel to Philadelphia, play was sluggish in the first quarter. Only one goal was scored in the game's first 15 minutes and it gave the Wings their only lead of the day when Drew Westervelt tallied 10:37 into the stanza. Wings backup Kurtis Wagar, making his first start of the season, stopped all 12 Knighthawk shots in the first and kept Rochester off the board until Shawn Williams tied the game 6:09 into the second. At that point the Knighthawk offense arose from its slumber to score the game's next five goals before the Wings Max Seibald scored in the final minute of the half to make it a 5-2 game.
The second half didn't start any better when Mike Accursi and Craig Point extended the Rochester lead to 7-2. Then, much like the previous night in Boston, the Wings scored the next three goals to go into the last 15 minutes down just 7-5. By the time the Wings scored goal number six though, the Knighthawks had broken the game open on scores by Jordan Hall, Jarrett Davis and an empty netter by Chris Driscoll.
Westervelt scored a hat trick for the Wings, who missed Athan Iannucci for the third straight game. Ryan Boyle added a goal and three assists while Wagar made 34 saves in his Wings debut. With one game remaining next week against the Minnesota Swarm, the Wings will look to at least finish a game better than they did in 2010. In what was likely a more frustrating season that the 2010 debacle of 5-11, that is about as positive as it gets. What to expect in 2012 is anyone's guess.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Too little too late = No playoffs for Wings
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Wings will miss the National Lacrosse League's postseason for the third straight season and eighth time in the last nine seasons following Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Boston Blazers. Missing Athan Iannucci for the second straight game, the Wings offense struggled as they trailed 4-2 after one quarter, 6-2 at halftime and 7-2 early into the third stanza. Behind the efforts of Ryan Boyle and Drew Westervelt the Wings would score five of the game's next six goals but could not find the tying or go ahead scores needed. As it has been most of the season the star of the game for the Wings was goalie Brandon Miller. Miller made 30 saves and kept the Wings from being routed.
Sunday the Wings will host Rochester in their final home game of 2011 before finishing the season in Minnesota on April 23.
The Philadelphia Wings will miss the National Lacrosse League's postseason for the third straight season and eighth time in the last nine seasons following Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Boston Blazers. Missing Athan Iannucci for the second straight game, the Wings offense struggled as they trailed 4-2 after one quarter, 6-2 at halftime and 7-2 early into the third stanza. Behind the efforts of Ryan Boyle and Drew Westervelt the Wings would score five of the game's next six goals but could not find the tying or go ahead scores needed. As it has been most of the season the star of the game for the Wings was goalie Brandon Miller. Miller made 30 saves and kept the Wings from being routed.
Sunday the Wings will host Rochester in their final home game of 2011 before finishing the season in Minnesota on April 23.
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