Boston got a huge win against Chesapeake and Ohio unfortunately lost to Rochester last weekend. However, that doesn’t mean the Machine will lose to the Cannons. Ohio has the capability to come back late in games and win. They showed that they are a second half team in their game against the Rattlers last weekend. They were down 7-3 at the end of the first half and came back to lose 14-13. They outscored the Rattlers in the second half 10-7. Had Jim Connolly and Joe Cummings been in the lineup, the Machine would have won. Boston will have to watch their backs, because if they’re not careful, Ohio will take advantage.
The Ohio attack is dangerous. Connolly, Stanwick and Woodson have molded into a strong attack unit. Woodson will need to score another five goals this weekend and tack on five assists if possible. Stanwick has to score goals. He can assist very well, but has to go to the cage and be a threat with goal scoring. If Connolly or Cummings are not back, then Billy Eisenreich will need to step up more than he did in the Rochester game. It was nice to see him get his first career MLL goal, but now that those nerves are out of the way, it’s time for him to put his foot on the gas and go.
Long poles PT Ricci, Mitch Belisle, Jack Reid, Brian Farrell and Kyle Sweeney will need to be on their toes with the Ohio offense. Whoever guards Woodson will need to tape their ankles and be ready for anything. When he draws the double is where he’s most dangerous. Sliding across the crease will be the better option when Chazz goes from behind the net, rather than chasing him behind the net. Shutting down Stanwick is crucial. Be in his hands and throw him off balance. As for Eisenreich, he is quick and will go to the net, but he is a rookie so play position defense on him and be a monster against him. If Connolly is back, he is the finisher. Make sure to know where he is at all times and be in the hands.
Ohio’s midfield will need to produce big time. The Boston short stick d-mids Patrick Heim, JJ Morrissey, and Matt Smalley are feisty and will play their man very hard, as seen in their game against the Bayhawks. Connor Martin, Matt Casey, Kiel Matisz and Matt Witko will need to step it up and produce just as much as the attack. Martin will need to go to the cage just as he did last weekend. Casey and Matisz cannot be quiet and need to score goals. Dan Groot, Marshall Burkhart, Bobby Eilers and Jim Borell will need to be two way midfielders. If they can score goals in transition, as well as play defense, they shouldn’t have a problem staying with Boston.
Boston’s midfield is deadly. Paul Rabil by himself can wreck the Machine defense if he focuses on going to the net. I do give him a lot of credit for stepping up his game and assisting more this year, making him even more dangerous. Pat Heim, Martin Cahill, Mike Stone and the short stick d-mids will be dangerous just from Rabil looking more to assist this year than go to the cage. They need to dodge their defenders and go to cage. Shooting from the two-point arc will be difficult, but not uncanny.
The Machine’s midfield defense has to play their best game. Defending the two point arc will be crucial. Kyle Hartzell has to shut down Paul Rabil and be able to play smart transition. In the Rattlers game, Kyle showed some flaw as he was not smart with time management. Dan Groot, Marshall Burkhart and the other short stick d-mids will have their hands full. Playing position defense will be their best option as take away checks will be very hard to come by against the Cannons.
Boston’s attack has had ups and downs this year. Although, when they’re on, they are on. Ryan Boyle is the quarterback of the Cannons offense and has to be shut down. Kevin Buchanan, Matt Poskay, Chris Boland and Ari Sussman are all capable of doing significant damage on the score board. Ohio’s close defense, Max Schmidt, Ray Megill, Joe Smith and Greg Bice (if he’s playable), cannot fall asleep. Boyle is crafty and will catch you off guard easily.
Faceoff’s will be crucial if the Machine want to win. Chris Eck is one of the best in the league. Going 19-31 last weekends against Adam Rand was no joke. Ohio’s Eric O’Brien will have to be very physical at the faceoff X.
Goalie play will be the other piece of the puzzle for the Machine. Whoever gets the start in cage, Stefan Schroder or Brian Phipps, will need to stand on their heads. Jordan Burke has been very good for Boston this season. At times has shown weakness, but that also comes from team play. If the Cannons and Machine defenses play well and give their man the bad angle shot, it will make their goalies jobs a lot easier.
Transition will be very crucial for Ohio. If Boston gets the ball, they have a very high percentage of scoring, so possession is key for the Machine if they jump out in front.
This is the Cannons final home game if they do not make Championship weekend. Look for them to put on a show.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Harvard Stadium in Boston.
