Can you believe that after eight weeks of games we are entering the second half of the Major League Lacrosse season? It was a big week in the MLL as the league saw five games played, two of which included the Charlotte Hounds. Who retains the top spot in the power rankings as we enter the second half of the season? Check it out:
Week 9 MLL Top 9
1- Ohio (6-2)- The Machine take the top spot in this week’s rankings as they have the best offense and defense in the league. Even though the Rattlers have allowed less total goals (75 compared to the Machine’s 93), the Machine are allowing fewer goals per game (11.6 to the Rattlers’ 12.5) in two more games played. Not coincidentally, Scott Rodgers is enjoying the best season of his career and tops the league in save percentage (58 percent) and goals allowed per game (10.54). While Rodgers leads the defense, the offense features the top two point scorers in the league in Tom Schreiber (39 points) and Marcus Holman (37 points). This week they face the Atlanta Blaze who just traded Myles Jones and are 2-4. Expect the Machine to retain the top spot next week as well.
2- New York (5-1)- Although the Lizards are the best team in the league by looking at the standings, they are second in these rankings. Their offense is dynamic as they have scored the second most goals in the league. However, their defense is what is keeping them from being the top team in the MLL. This unit has allowed the fourth most goals in the league. The three teams ahead of them are the Outlaws, Launch and Cannons who boast a combined 7-15 record. Finally, Drew Adams is having his worst season statistically as he is allowing 16.3 goals per game and is saving 43 percent of the shots he has seen so far this season.
3- Charlotte (4-3)- The Hounds lose the head to head to the Bayhawks but they weren’t just taken to school by the Rattlers so they stand at No. 3 after Week 8. Charlotte rebounded this past weekend against the Cannons and it could have huge playoff implications down the road. Joey Sankey continues to lead the way on offense at attack while Mike Chanenchuk dices up the defense up top. Luckily, the Hounds welcome the lowly Cannons this week providing them a chance to separate themselves from the Bayhawks, Cannons and Rattlers.
4- Chesapeake (4-3)- The Bayhawks were embarrassed in Week 8 by the Rattlers a week after a nice win over the Charlotte Hounds. Only two teams have scored fewer goals than the Bayhawks which may have resulted in the team trading for 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick Myles Jones from the Blaze. They do lose Matt Mackrides and his 15 points but they get much younger, more athletic and dynamic in the hopes of them making a playoff run. Fortunately, they get a week off and a week of practice to get Jones acclimated to the team.
5- Boston (4-4)- The Cannons may have lost a pivotal game in regards to the playoff seeding after dropping a home game to the Hounds in Week 8. They welcome the Lizards in Week 9 and could find themselves with their second two-game losing streak when they face the Lizards this week. The good news is that the Lizards have struggled mightily on defense and the Cannons offense should have no trouble finding the back of the net. The bad news is that the Cannons’ defense has allowed 109 goals this season which ranks third to last in the league. The fun this week will be the matchup between Joe Nardella and Greg Guerlian at the faceoff X which will go a long way in determining who wins this game.
6- Rochester (3-3)- The Rattlers are now 2-0 against the Bayhawks and 1-3 against the rest of the league after their Week 8 throttling of Chesapeake. The Rattlers are led by their defense which has allowed a league-low 75 goals and are allowing 12.5 goals per game. The problem is their offense which has scored the second fewest goals and needs a shot in the arm. Jordan Wolf and Jesse King need some help if the Rattlers hope of getting back to the playoffs. In Week 9, the Rattlers will be tested by the Outlaws’ offense this week. Luckily, the Rattlers offense has a chance to take advantage of one of the league’s worst defenses and can build some positive momentum as they start the second half of the season.
7- Atlanta (2-4)- The Blaze lost a close one to the Lizards 17-16 last week and find themselves only a couple of games away from the Top 4 of the standings. However, in a shocking move, the Blaze traded Myles Jones to the Bayhawks for Matt Mackrides and a first round pick in next year’s draft. Mackrides gives the Blaze a veteran player who has won multiple MLL championships. Mackrides and his 15 points also improves an offense that is fifth in the MLL with 92 goals scored. That will help relieve some of the pressure the Blaze has put on a defense that is allowing 13.8 goals per game. Unfortunately, the Blaze’s playoff hopes may take a big hit as they welcome the best team in the league in the Ohio Machine.
8- Denver (2-5)- The Outlaws continue to drop in the power rankings as they dropped their second straight game. The problem has never been on offense and this season is no different, as they have scored the third most goals with 105. The problem for the second consecutive year is the defense which has allowed 120 goals this season, the worst in the MLL. The defense has started seven different defensemen and is replacing Jesse Schwarztman in net after he retired. Ryan LaPlante has tried his best but is allowing a league high 17.4 goals per game and has a save percentage of 43.2 which makes him the second worst goalie in that statistic, just slightly ahead of the Lizards’ Drew Adams. Luckily, the Outlaws get some relief this weekend as the Rattlers offense is no juggernaut.
9- Florida (1-6)- Despite earning their first victory of the season over the Outlaws, the Launch find themselves here because they feature the worst offense in the league. They are scoring a paltry 12 goals a game despite featuring Kieran McArdle, Connor Buczek, Casey Powell and Lyle and Ty Thompson. To make matters worse, their defense is allowing 15.8 goals per game which is second worst in the league. Obviously, the addition of Matt Landis will help a defense that already features Tucker Durkin, Bobby Lawrence and Pat Frazier. However, Austin Kaut is seeing his first significant amount of time in goal and the defensive unit is still trying to gel as a unit. The Launch will need them to gel quickly as they welcome Joey Sankey and the Hounds offense this week.
