It’s the same first round matchup for the Cannons and Bayhawks two years in a row. Two years ago, the Bayhawks blew out the first place Cannons. Last year, Max Quinzani scored a last second goal to pick up the win.
This year, a new chapter will be written in the rivalry. The Bayhawks are the higher seed this time, finishing second in the league, while the Cannons needed the last game to get in. How do they match up?
Attack
Leading the attack unit for the Chesapeake Bayhawks are Drew Westervelt and John Grant Jr. The big question is, will Grant be playing with the Bayhawks this weekend, or in the MSL finals?
Also on the unit is Danny Glading, Ben Rubeor, and Matt Mackrides. Westervelt and Glading are good players, but if Grant doesn’t play, it’s a questionable unit.
For the Cannons, Ryan Boyle was third in the league in scoring this season. Also on the unit is Kevin Buchanan, Ari Sussman and Matt Poskay. They have to get the advantage in this case.
Midfield
First off, the Cannons top midfielder, Paul Rabil, scored more points than anyone ever in a single season. That gives them an automatic advantage to start. After that, they remain solid. Mike Stone has had a break out year, Pat Heim can do damage, and after coming off the IR, Bill McGlone can do some damage. Martin Cahill will look to get going this week as well, and Jon Hayes can do a lot defensivley.
For the Bayhawks, Kyle Dixon is where most of their offense comes from, leading the league with fifteen two point shots and making the Hawks’ unit behind the arc the most dangerous in the league.
Steven Brooks and Michael Kimmel have over thirty points each, while Ben Hunt and Matt Abbott are also skilled defenders and can contribute on offense.
This unit is a tie.
Defense
The Bayhawks defense has been a bit mix and match, with no one playing in all fourteen games on their D. Playing in the most games was Barney Ehrmann with thirteen, and Brian Spallina with twelve. Both solid defenders, also on the unit is Nicky Polanco and Michael Evans.
Boston boasts a defense of PT Ricci, Brian Farrell, Kyle Sweeney, Jack Reid and Mitch Belisle. All of them do a great job on the defense, but advantage goes to Chesapeake.
Goaltending
About a month ago, this is Jordan Burke, easy. But he has struggled the past four weeks, and Kip Turner, a former Cannons goalie, has dominated with the Bayhawks. Advantage goes to the Bayhawks.
