With a playoff spot on the line, it can be said this is the Charlotte Hounds’ (6-6) most important game to date. They are one game ahead of the Boston Cannons for the fourth and final playoff spot heading into tonight’s game against the Hamilton Nationals (9-3). For Hamilton, they’ve already clinched a playoff spot so they’re heading into this game trying to secure the second seed for Championship Weekend in Philadelphia, PA. During the off-week the Hounds activated face-off specialist Geoff Snider, and should he play tonight, it could be a huge help for Charlotte.
Charlotte is led by their goalie Adam Ghitelman, who has a 6-5 record entering the game. Ghitelman was absent for the Hounds opening game, but since then has saved 131 shots with a 12.2 goals averaged against and a 49% save rate. Leading the offense for Charlotte is attackman Matt Danowski. With 38 points on the year (26 goals, (4) two-pointers, 8 assists) Danowski leads fellow attackman Ryan Young (35 points, 26 goals, 9 assists) by just three points. Newcomers have been huge for the Hounds this year; Young was traded from New York during the offseason and middie Peet Poillon (33 points, 23 goals, (5) two-pointers, 5 assists) was also acquired during the offseason from Denver. Helping these veteran players are some rookies such as Mike Sawyer (18 points, 12 goals, 6 assists), LSM Mason Poli (10 points, 6 goals, 4 assists) and Matt White (8 points, 5 goals, 3 assists).
The Hamilton Nationals have had great offensive production all year thanks to several key players. Kevin Crowley leads the team in points with 44 (32 goals, (1) two-pointer, 11 assists) and attackman Joe Walters is right behind him with 41 (19 goals, 22 assists). Former Hound midfielder Josh Amidon will be suiting up for the first time against his former team and enters the game with 3 points for the Nationals (1 goal, 2 assists). Rookie attackman Garrett Thul has made a huge impact offensively for Hamilton, having scored 9 goals and (2) two-pointers. Facing off for the Nationals will be Mike Poppleton who has won 87 of his 190 attempts to give him a 46% win rate. In goal will be defensive leader and star player Brett Queener. Last week in a close game against Boston Queener knotched his first goal of the year. In 461 minutes in goal for Hamilton, Queener has saved 137 shots and allowed an average of 11.2 goals against with a save percentage of 61%.
Charlotte will look to win this must-win game in front of their home crowd. The game tonight is dedicated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer. Hounds fans are hoping to cheer their team into the playoffs, while the Nationals just hope to hang on to their second place seed. It’s sure to be a close game, as their first battle ended in a 16-15 overtime victory for Hamilton. Both teams will wrap up their seasons next week, with Charlotte traveling to Chesapeake to take on the Bayhawks and Hamilton will play host to the undefeated Denver Outlaws.
