There’s nothing like a little competition between teams when playoffs are on the line. Especially when it takes more than one game to declare the postseason. In the least week of the season,
The first seed of the MLL Championship weekend was given to undefeated Denver, who stands at 13-0, an MLL record. They hit magical number 13 when they took down New YorkSince their inauguration in 2006, the Outlaws have made championship weekend every year. Jim Stagnitta took the reigns as head coach in 2011. That year, Denver finished 7-5, second in the MLL and lost to Hamilton in the semifinals. In 2012, Stagnitta’s squad went 11-3, nabbing the first seed for the postseason, second time since they did it in 2009. They mounted a historic 10-0 run with a 13-12 come form behind win against the Lizards when they were down 12-3 with under twelve minutes left in the third quarter. Eventually, they fell to the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the championship game 16-6. In their seven seasons, they have not been able to hoist the Steinfeld Cup. There’s factors at work for Denver that have them rolling. One of their biggest factors will be Brendan Mundorf, who sat out last game with a sports hernia. Last year, he suffered an ankle injury during the Outlaws practice the day before the championship game against Chesapeake, which seemed to have an impact on the black and orange’s offense. 13 seems to be the Outlaws number this year, scoring thirteen goals in their thirteenth win, during the thirteenth week. Could 2013 be Denver’s year?
Swooping in to the second seed is Hamilton. After a disappointing 2012 season, the Nationals have come back and taken their season by storm. The Hamilton organization went a new way with leadership for 2013, electing Dave Huntley as head coach and has done an amazing job with his team. His squad came out firing, winning five games in a row to start before losing two in a row. First, to Denver 22-9, followed by a 12-10 fall to the Lizards. Since then, Hamilton has gone 4-2, most recently losing to Charlotte. They are lead by MVO candidate Kevin Crowley, who has pick dup 49 points (35G, 2 two-point, 12A) alone this season. Joe Walters is right behind him with 44 of his own. Kevin Cunningham has played lights out since his first game in a Hamilton uniform, recording 14 goals and 22 assists. Their defense, led by Brodie Merrill, are not going to go lightly on their opponents. Rookie Tucker Durkin has lived up to the expectations, along with Matt Lovejoy and Jason Noble. Brett Queener has been stellar in between the pipes for Huntley, given this is his first full year alone in cage. The Nationals have been around since 2009, winning the championship that year stationed in Toronto. They made the postseason in 2011, but lost in the finals to the Boston Cannons.
Defending the Steinfeld Cup is no easy task, especially two years in a row. Chesapeake will give it a try as they are slotted third for the playoffs. The Bayhawks have made the postseason eight times, including 2001 (MLL inaugural season) where they lost to the Lizards. They have won the Steinfeld Cup four times in 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2012. Dave Cottle, named head coach in 2012, is up for the task again, as are his players, posting an 8-5 record. It’s been somewhat of a decent season for the Bayhawks, as they weren’t as dominant as they were last year. They did end Rochester’s playoff hopes, defeating them this past weekend 12-8. Point leader, Drew Westervelt, has given his team a lot this season, including the game winning goal over Boston two weeks ago. Adding Casey Powell to the mix has made things interesting. He has tallied six points in his three games and will be a vocal and physical leader come playoff time. The navy and white will host the Hounds this coming week.
For the first time in their two year existence, Charlotte has made the postseason. They were on the brink of possible elimination heading into week 12, desperately needing a win. They won a close one against Ohio 13-10 and learned the news of Boston’s fall to Hamilton. Week 13 made things interesting as Boston and Charlotte traded their opponents with the Nationals traveling to the Hounds and Ohio flying east. Earlier in the day, Ohio went insane and made it nearly impossible for the Cannons to make the postseason. Coach Mike Cerino’s team played their game an hour after Boston’s loss and needed the win to get to championship weekend. It was a dog fight from beginning to end. The Hounds came out on top 14-10, and will be in the fourth spot and headed to Philadelphia. Big return for the Hounds with Geoff Snider coming back into the picture. Him and Tim Fallon split the shifts at the draw X, going 13-25 to Mike Poppleton’s 12-25. Matt Danowski went off, scoring six goals, including a two-point tally thanks to rookie LSM Mason Poli. Charlotte is clicking and playing as a team, which makes the outcome of the postseason that much more unpredictable.
These four teams all play one another run their 2013 final regular season games. Hamilton will take on Denver and Charlotte is put to the test against Chesapeake. Each of these teams have the possibility to make the championship game at PPL Park. It depends on who wants it more.
