The Hamilton Nationals (9-5) have had a very successful season finishing tied for second place in the regular season standings. They have advanced to the Final Four Weekend in Philadelphia where they will play the defending champions Chesapeake Bayhawks (9-5) at 4 PM.
The Nationals have been led by a trio of players offensively this season with Kevin Crowley leading the team in scoring with 38 goals, 3-2PT goals and 14 assists for 55 points in 14 games. Joe Walters put up 48 points (22G, 26A) in 12 games while Kevin Cunningham scored 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points.
Defensively the Nationals allowed the third fewest goals against with 168 GA in 14 games. A huge reason for this was their stellar long poles such as veteran Brodie Merrill who picked up 91 ground balls and contributed 11 points. Matt Lovejoy and Tucker Durkin registered 24 ground balls each in 2013.
In net, the veteran goaltending from Brett Queener (6-4) was the main reason for the Nationals success in the regular season. He finished fourth in goalies with a 12.01 GAA in 11 games and allowed the second fewest goals against with 110.
Look for the Nationals to use these key players to defeat the Bayhawks and reach the MLL final at Championship Weekend.
