While the FIL Championships are winding down in Denver, Colorado in the next couple of days, MLL lacrosse returns from its last of three breaks in the season to complete its schedule. In the first game of the break, the first place Rochester Rattlers will face the last place Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Both teams will be heavily hit by the FIL Championship games as both squads feature players on the Team USA, Candian and Iroquois squads. The Rattlers will be without Dave Lawson, Kevin Laveille, Miles Thompson, Jordan Macintosh. Meanwhile, the Bayhawks will be without Brendan Mundorf, Steven Brooks, Matt Abbott, Stephen Peyser, David Earl, Dan Burns, Jason Noble and Michael Evans.
With the Bayhawks already at 3-7 and having made countless trades to try and better their team, this is a must win game against the best team in the league. With so many key players out, the Rattlers may walk all over the Bayhawks. However, the Bayhawks did give the Rattlers their closest game earlier in the season as the Rattlers escaped with an 8-7 victory.
Without Kip Turner, Michael Evans, Dan Burns, Matt Abbott and Stephen Peyser all missing from the defense and defensive midfield, the Bayhawks are going to have a hard time containing this youthful Rattlers offense. The Rattlers will have Justin Turri, John Ranagan, Jordan Wolf and Mark Cockerton. Even without Macintosh, Leveille and Lawson the Rattlers should be able to generate a lot of its offense through the midfield.
On the other side, the Rattlers defense will be tested but will be at full strength as none of its players are on any national team roster. Therefore, John Galloway and company will have an easier time stopping a star studded Bayhawks offense that hasn’t completely clicked. Joe Walters, Matt Mackrides and Drew Westervelt will be able to provide the offense but there is little else after those guys for the Bayhawks to rely on.
Finall, the faceoff game will be weighed heavily to the Rattlers as John Ortolani should be able to win the majority of his faceoffs against Stephen Robarge.
Look for the Rattlers to continue their winning ways and officially knock the defending champion Bayhawks from MLL Championship Weekend and stopping their bid for a three peat.
