After the Calgary Roughnecks defeated the Edmonton Rush on Friday night in the NLL’s first ever “mini game”, all the talk has been about just that. Not Calgary’s road upset. Not the end of the Rush’s amazing season. But about the mini game.
On Saturday night, the Rochester Knighthawks defeated Buffalo to get to a mini game and they won in the sudden death OT portion of the ten minute contest. This means both championship teams advanced via the mini game, and our 2014 NLL champion might also exist due to it.
We should be celebrating Rochester and Calgary, and we are. But the mini game discussion is one worth having. How do the players feel? Or the coaches and most importantly, the fans who are watching?
Some NLL players, media people and fans weighed in on this topic via Twitter and this is what they had to say about it. Give us your thoughts and reactions by tweeting to @LacrosseWeTrust
Jeff Gilbert, Minnesota Swarm
Not a fan of calling it a #minigame, What’s wrong with #gamethree? Great format tho @NLL #nllplayoffs
— Jeff Gilbert (@jgilbert_4) May 17, 2014
Lewis Ratcliff, Vancouver Stealth
@LacrosseWeTrust@NLL I am not but I like that new things are being tried. Single elimination is tough to swallow too
— lewis ratcliff (@lrat42) May 14, 2014
Scott Evans, Retired
But great mini game @shawnevans1588 good luck in the finals. Hope it’s in Roch #dino#bluecross
— Scott Evans (@Evy1915) May 17, 2014
Rochester Knighthawks Employee Ben Cerow
We need to find something else to call this besides a “mini-game”. Cool concept, but I feel like a fool whenever I say “mini-game” #NLL — Ben Cerow (@CerowB) May 17, 2014
Kent Ridley, Scout
I’m not 100% sold on this mini game format for the #NLL but definitely think there should’ve been a longer break between the two games.
— Kent Ridley (@RidleyScouting) May 17, 2014
Graeme Perrow, NLL Chatter Writer
@LacrosseWeTrust I liked it. Best 2 of 3 would be better but given the realities of the NLL, not happening. Mini-game is decent compromise — Graeme Perrow (@GraemePerrow) May 17, 2014
Brad MacArthur, Barrie Blizzard Head Coach
Had time to digest @NLL mini game. Would like a few tweaks: 1. Review all goals. 2.10 min break from game 2. 3. Ability to chg lineup.
— Brad MacArthur (@bradmacarthur) May 20, 2014
Budd Bailey, Buffalo News
Quick take on NLL mini-game format: not the fairest way to get a winner, but it is fabulous theater.
— Budd Bailey (@WDX2BB) May 18, 2014
Fan Comments
“Mini game”…? I’ll watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and a game 7 thanks.
— Chris Fox (@Fox_Chris) May 17, 2014
@jgilbert_4 @NLL @LacrosseWeTrust or actually play a real game 3
— sean henry (@seanhenry19) May 17, 2014
@jgilbert_4 @LacrosseWeTrust @NLL 1 game or 3 games…not 2.25 games
— Travis Holland (@trudieboo) May 17, 2014
.@NLL will never be taken seriously until they figure that out. 10-minute mini game to decide a series between two great teams? Ridiculous.
— Barry Strader (@BarryStrader) May 17, 2014
@jgilbert_4 @ClaudeFeig @NLL the league didn’t want to pay for another full night’s rent if it wasn’t needed.
— Jim Magnaye (@Stonewall_35) May 17, 2014
@stone1a @ShaunAyotte did the NLL just set itself back 10 years by having this mini game. Ppl are talking about that instead of who won
— Gary Hof (@clitickler) May 17, 2014
Bush league way to run a ‘professional league’s’ playoffs @NLL a ‘mini game’ to decide a series?! #beerLeague #getwithit @TheEdmontonRush
— M Flem (@MrMFlem) May 17, 2014
And thanks to the completely idiotic NLL playoff format, the Rush are eliminated by an inferior Roughnecks team in the “mini-game”. #dumb
— Tyler Hupka (@HBomb1982) May 17, 2014
My heart is still beating hard from game 2 and the mini game afterwords! The most intense game I have ever seen! @NLL @RocKnighthawks
— Tyler Hutt (@hutttyler) May 18, 2014
I don’t understand the point of having a mini-game and an OT instead of just playing a third game. This NLL playoff set-up is bizarre.
— AEP (@aperl18) May 18, 2014
The @nll got it right with the mini game. Can’t beat the excitement.
— nick (@schmitty1212) May 18, 2014
