There are only two games remaining in the MLL season and the Long Island Lizards are starting to feel the heat. The Lizards are currently one game ahead of the two teams tied for fourth, the Boston Cannons and Rochester Rattlers, but have to play the top ranked team this week, the Chesapeake Bayhawks. With two games left, the Lizards have no room for error because earlier in the season they lost two games to the Rochester Rattlers and should it come down to a tie-breaker between the two, Rochester would get the nod.
Attack:
Chesapeake has one of the best offenses in the league when they can click and play as one. Part of it is due to their great midfielders, but a lot of it also is because of their attack corps. Led by John Grant Jr (17 g, 9 a) the Bayhawks’ attack is a shifty group of guys that can put up points quick. Drew Westervelt leads the attack with 31 points (20 g, 11 a) and three other players have 15 or more points. Danny Glading (14 g, 6 a) and Ben Rubeor (13 g, 4 a) round out the attack.
The Lizards have a young attack corps, but one that is dangerous nonetheless. Led by Rookie of the Year candidate Matt Gibson (15 g, 13 a) this group has really come together in recent weeks. Tommy Palasek has added 25 points for the Lizards and Grant Catalino has put up 21 points heading into this week’s game. Ryan Young and Will Mangan have both also contributed for this young offense, adding 17 and 10 points appropriately.
Midfield:
The Bayhawks easily have one of the best offensive midfield groups in the league, with three players over 30 points. 2-point artist Kyle Dixon leads the team with 39 points so far. He’s followed closely by Michael Kimmel (20 g, 11 a) and Steven Brooks (21 g, 7 a). The danger this group poses is such a threat to any defense because not only can they score, but when given the chance they can dish the ball to the attack and create situations that way. Ben Hunt and Matt Abbott have both also added points for this midfield group with 13 and 11 points appropriately.
Led by Max Seibald, the Lizards’ midfield corps can also put up a large tally of points; given three of their players have an upwards of 25 points. Seibald has 35 points on the season and fellow veteran Brian Langtry is just one behind him with 34 points. Stephen Peyser has added 26 points for the Lizards who have five other midfielders tallying points this season.
Face-Off:
Chesapeake’s Adam Rand has been very consistent for them on the face-off X this year, winning 169 of 314. His percentage is .538 which is great and really helps the Bayhawks get possession and score like they have been. This week he goes up against “The Beastâ€, Greg Gurenlian who has been one of the more dominant face-off guys since coming into the league.
Gurenlian has been almost unstoppable for the Lizards this season. So far he was won 208 of 335 face-offs which gives him an incredible .611 winning percentage. He’s great for not just winning the face-off but also creating opportunities. He loves to get the field and shoot the ball when given the chance, but is just as likely to find the open man for an easy assist.
Defense:
Chesapeake’s defense has been solid all year and has really helped keep this team in first place throughout the season. Led by Nicky Polanco this defense has not been easy to get by for other offenses. Dan Hostetler leads the defense in groundballs with 35. Michael Evans and Brian Spallina have both been great for the Bayhawks’ defense and have been solid blocks for goalie Kip Turner.
Long Island has a fairly young, but extremely talented defense. Defender Brian Karalunas is a favorite for Defensive Player of the Year for his exciting pole play and fanastic defense. Rookie CJ Costabile has been a huge help for the Lizards as well, scooping up 18 groundballs and adding 3 goals in just 8 games. Chris Passavia and Parker McKee have also been great help defensively and are a big reason goalie Drew Adams is having the good season that he is having.
Goalie:
Kip Turner has been phenomenal for the Bayhawks’ this year and is having one of the best seasons of his career. In his first year with the Bayhawks, Turner leads all goalies in GAA (goals averaged against) and save percentage. Turner only averages 10.58 goals against and stops .551 percent of the shots on cage that he sees.
Drew Adams is also have a great year for the Lizards, he is fourth in GAA and fifth in save percentage among active goalies. Adams is only allowing 11.55 goals against and is stopping .534 of the shots he faces. When Adams can control his defense, it can be very hard to score against the Long Island Lizards.
