The Major League Lacrosse Most Valuable Player race is now over. It is abundantly clear one player in the league is above and beyond crucial to his team’s success which has become evident over the last two weeks. How could the Lizards look like one of the best teams in league history wiping out their first eight opponents with relative ease, then drop back-to-back games against teams with a combined 2-13 record? The answer is Paul Rabil.
With Rabil in the lineup, the Lizards could not be touched averaging nearly 16 goals per game while outscoring opponents 127-83. In the last two weeks against Charlotte and Florida, New York could only muster 12 goals each. Greg Gurenlian has gone a combined 40-58 at the X so the Lizards are still getting high percentage of possessions in those games.
In the two losses, New York has 24 goals on 58 shots on cage (41.3%) and 0-6 on the Power Play. In the eight wins, New York has 127 goals on 269 shots on cage (47.2%) and converted 6-31 Power Play opportunities. Rabil has 19 goals on 38 shots and has assisted on 15 others. If you convert Rabil’s 4.25 points per game average, the Charlotte game goes from a 13-12 Charlotte win to a 16-13 New York win. Doing the same for Friday’s Florida 16-12 win, Rabil’s contributions send the game into overtime at 16 all. These stats also do not factor in Rabil’s presence on defense.
Defensively, Rabil is a very underrated middie. In the eight wins, New York surrendered 79 goals, just under eight per game. In the two losses, the Lizards gave up 29 goals or just under 15 per game. There are some other deficiencies in the New York defense, but not having Rabil’s aggressiveness and leadership has certainly been missed.
The common denominator in the Lizards success and failure is Rabil. He has been on the field for all eight wins and on the sidelines injured in the two losses. The Lizards travel to Chesapeake on Thursday and if Rabil is not ready to go with the short turnaround, don’t be surprised if they drop their third straight.
Week 11 Game Balls
Cannons team: For a second straight week, John Tucker’s boys had 13 players register a point. It is the first time in team history more than 12 players recorded a point. Impressive display of teamwork.
Marcus Holman, Ohio: Holman scored five goals on an array of moves and a few times took a lick while scoring. No one in the MLL lays his body out for his team quite like him.
Brian Phipps, Ohio: Phipps turned away 22 of the 34 Rochester shots. More importantly, he stoned the Rattlers nine times in the 4th quarter alone to preserve the win.
Kieran McArdle, Florida: The second year rising star had four goals and an assist in Florida’s 16-12 upset of the Lizards.
Kevin Cunningham, Charlotte: After coming over in a trade from Florida, Cunningham has provided veteran leadership and more importantly more offense as he had four goals and three assists knocking off the Outlaws.
Week 10 MLL Top 8
1- New York (8-2). Losing to the bottom two teams back-to-back. Is it time to hit the Panic Button?
2- Ohio (6-4). Ohio now 6-2 since signing Greg Puskuldjian to take face-offs converting 56%.
3- Boston (6-4). Young roster has already exceeded expectations.
4- Chesapeake (5-5). Four key players on IR is tough in a playoff chase.
5- Denver (5-5). Defense has been awful in the second half for second straight week.
6- Rochester (5-5). 0-2 since Mike Manley injured his knee. He could be done for the season.
7- Charlotte (3-7). Is their late season run too late to squeak into the playoff picture?
8- Florida (2-8). Beat the Lizards without Thompson brothers. Wow!
Brendan McDaniels is a color analyst for the MLL Television broadcasts and can be seen Sunday, July 12 at 1 p.m. as the Rattlers host the Bayhawks on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App. Follow Brendan on Twitter @BMcDTWCSports.
