For the second straight year, Ohio is in the playoffs and, for the first time ever, they will be hosting a playoff game when they take on Rochester on Saturday at 4 pm. Like it or not, the Machine are the most dangerous team heading into the playoffs and I’m going to give you the top three reasons why.
Ready or not, #OilUp.
The Goaltending of Brian Phipps
The Machine aren’t where they are without the stellar play of their netminder and they won’t even go past the first round if he doesn’t bring his A game on Saturday. Phipps played in all but one game during the regular season, posting a 9-4 record to go along with a 12.23 goals against average and maintaining a .564 save percentage as well. Not only has Ohio won their last three games—granted Boston and New York already knew they were playoff bound—but the Machine have given up 12 goals or fewer in three of their last five games. The thing about the former Maryland Terrapin that has set him apart is this: it’s not exactly his numbers or the wins that have mattered most, it’s his ability to come up with the big save in key moments of games. His confidence has never been higher in his career, and the timing couldn’t be better for his team.
Greg Puskuldjian
Although he didn’t begin the season as the Machine’s primary faceoff man, Puskuldjian has been a stalwart at the x since taking over the job. He’s won 53.4 percent of his draws and is 6-3-1 record-wise (if that’s your thing) vs other teams when he has been the main man in the middle. Against Rochester this season, he went 17-31 in Ohio’s 17-12 win on June 28. The rematch didn’t go so well, as he was manhandled by Mike Poppleton, who won 23-31 draws against him in a 16-15 loss. We’ll see what’s in store for Saturday’s contest. In a game where possession is everything, Puskuldjian has been giving his team a chance more often than not.
The Offense
The Machine offense is, well, a machine. It hasn’t had the firepower that New York consistently had, but through the draft, Ohio has some scary good talent. Tom Schreiber is leading the way with 29 goals (one two-pointer) and 30 assists. His 60 points has him fourth overall in the league. Marcus Holman’s 39 goals are second most in the league behind Florida’s Kieran McArdle.
While those two in particular have been exceptional, the supporting cast, if you want to call them that, has been very good. Steele Stanwick has played the role of dishmaster this season, leading the league alongside Schreiber and New York’s Rob Pannell with 30 assists. Peter Baum is always a threat, as the midfielder has 23 goals (one two-pointer) and 11 assists. Jimmy Bitter has been electrifying in his short time with the team, pumping home 21 goals to go with four assists in seven games and Kyle Harrison is as solid a first line midfielder as they come.
Lowering the Curtain
Ask anyone around the MLL, and they’ll tell you that New York is still the favorite to win the whole thing. They’re right. They are. However, ask those same people which of the three teams could upset them, and they’ll tell you Ohio. The Machine are such a well-rounded team that have peaked at the right time of the season. They have some playoff experience under their belts from last year and there’s no reason to believe that they aren’t ready to take the next step. Saturday will tell the lacrosse world if they truly are.
As a reminder, Ohio and Rochester will face off at Selby Stadium in Delaware, Ohio at 4 pm on Saturday. The game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network.
