Both the Boston Cannons and New York Lizards ended last season disappointed. Both franchises had to spend the entire offseason knowing they were just one game short of reaching the MLL Championship and having a chance to raise the Steinfeld Cup.
Changes were made and expectations remained high for the 2013 MLL season.
It was a long wait for last year’s semifinalists to get back on the field, and it was fitting they would play each other.
The New York Lizards (1-0) won 14-11, but the game was not as close as the score suggests. It seemed like the two teams were playing two different games.
The New York Lizards scored 13 goals (including one two-pointer) by eight different players, led by Tommy Palasek’s three goals and two assists. Boston (0-1) meanwhile, was mainly a one-man show. Four of the team’s first six goals were scored by Paul Rabil. Only one of Rabil’s goals was assisted.
Couple the variety of attacks from the Lizards with Greg Gurenlian winning 20 of 27 face-offs and it was a dominating performance from New York.
“Our D-middi’s were outstanding,” Lizards head coach Joe Spallina said. “We got five goals from the Untersteins and [Waldeck]. Those guys are great. When you look at where we want to go and how we want to get there I think those guys are going to be the strength.”
The defensive players weren’t only scoring, they were also making a strong statement against a usually potent Boston offense.
Other than Rabil, Ari Sussman was the only Boston player to score more than once – doing so three times. Ryan Boyle, who entered the game four points behind Casey Powell for the MLL all-time points record, finished with only one goal and one assist. Matt Poskay, who is the Cannons’ all-time leading goal scorer, was held scoreless, registering only one assist.
“I don’t think anyone plays Ryan Boyle better than Brian Karalunas,” Spallina said, speaking about how his defense matches up with the Cannons attack unit. “We thought Jack Reid played great on Poskay. I don’t know if Poskay had any goals. I know it was personal for him. He was great tonight. And I thought Skudin played great on Sussman too. I think he had maybe one or two transition goals but nothing in the settled set.”
Drew Adams, the defending two-time Warrior MLL Goalie of the Year, continued his impeccable form. Adams made 15 saves on the afternoon. He also helped hold the Cannons to only one goal in each the second and third quarter, while New York opened up a big lead.
The Lizards opened the game up in the second quarter, outscoring the Cannons 6-1 in the second period. By the end of the third quarter New York was up 12-6.
Boston would attempt to mount a comeback in the final period – scoring three times in the final four minutes and scoring five goals in the entire period – but it proved to be too little too late.
The Cannons will return to Boston to host the Hamilton Nationals (0-0) on May 4 and the Lizards will go on the road to face the defending MLL Champion Chesapeake Bayhawks on May 4.
