NLL Stories to Watch: Semi Finals

Well if that wasn’t an exciting first round of playoff lacrosse, I don’t know what is.

The Rochester Knighthawks began their defense of the Champions Cup by defeating the Philadelphia Wings 10-8.  A game in which former Wing Dan Dawson torched his former mates by registering 4 goals and 2 assists, and brother Paul registered the game winning goal.  In Washington, the Stealth overcame a 7-1 deficit to win 12-11 over Edmonton.  Calgary disposed of the Mammoth 15-10.  And a game that I picked as my upset special the Minnesota Swarm rolled over the Toronto Rock 20-11.

 

We now arrive at Round 2..Conference Finals!!!  Both games will air on CBS SportsNetwork Saturday May 4th

 

Minnesota Swarm  vs  Rochester Knighthawks.   4pm

 

For the third time this season the Swarm has put up 20+ on an eastern division team. Wings (20), Bandits (21), Rock (20), and all this without Andrew Suitor.  Can this Swarm team do what the Knighthawks did last season?

A young team, not expected to do anything, and they win it all?  Well they are at the same spot as last season. Questions here are…  Can the Swarm offense put up 15+ against Matt Vinc ?(10.14 GAA).  Tyler Carlson..on a hot streak of late between the pipes.. can he continue it inside the old WAR MEMORIAL

 

For Rochester..last three games no more then 10 goals.  Last time they had more then 10 and won was April 6th 14-7 win over the Wings.  

 

Major question is the status of Cody Jamieson, we still don’t know the severity of the injury, so it will most likely be a game time decision.  If Cody is a no-go, the Knighthawks will need everyone to step up HUGE if they want another trip to the finals.   Dan Dawson in his 12th season, searching for the first ring of his NLL career. Can he carry this big of a load if Jamieson is out?  Matt Vinc, can he keep a strong wall up against this young Swarm offense?  Can the defense, especially Paul Dawson keep up with the Swarm offense and not get frustrated?  Can the Knighthawk fans keep the mojo going?

 

Washington Stealth  vs Calgary Roughnecks     6:30pm

 

The Stealth overcame a 7-1 deficit against Edmonton to pull out a 12-11 victory.  The Stealth won the season series, but can they run with a Calgary team that seems very well oiled right now?  Can Iannucci get back on track and score more then 2 goals?   Is Tyler Richards back to the Championship form of 2010?  How will the Stealth defense handle the offensive machine of Calgary?

 

Calgary took control in the second half outscoring the Mammoth 8-3 to win the game 15-10.  The usual assassins did there damage.. Evans, Dickson, Shattler, Ranger, Veltman, Dobbie.  Can they do the same to Washington?  Will Bobby Snider control the face-off dot of brother Geoff?   Can Mike Poulin play a solid game?

 

Winner of the Calgary vs  Washington game will host the Championship.

 

Tune in 4pm Saturday…..You don’t want to miss any of this!

 

 

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