Chris Rosenthall is the resident MLL writer over at Lax All Stars, and he is also the MLL Post Game Show co host on The Lacrosse Radio Network. This week I sat down with him to get his thoughts on the MLL playoffs and what the future holds.
1. Who do you think are the final four?
I think the final four will be Denver, Chesapeake, Long Island and Boston. If the Rattlers win at Charlotte, they’ll still need Long Island to lose to Hamilton, and I don’t think both of those are going to happen.
2. Denver or Chesapeake as #1?
I can honestly say I’ve never looked forward to a regular season MLL game as much as I have the Denver-Chesapeake game; I have no idea what to expect. But since the Denver offense has been so hot lately, I’m going to say they’ll win a close one this weekend and earn the #1 seed.
3. Who would be more dangerous Boston or Rochester?
I think Boston’s more dangerous. Their defense gives up less goals, their offense scores more, and their game’s been improving lately. If you gave them a choice between the two teams, I bet no team in the league would rather face the defending champs at home instead of Rochester.
4. MLL MVP and Goalie of the year?
Brendan Mundorf would get my vote for Offensive Player of the Year, but (as long as the Cannons make the playoffs) I have to give the MVP to Paul Rabil. He’s been playing very intelligent, team-first offense, which is one of the reasons he’s already doubled his previous record for assists in a season. I think removing Rabil from the Cannons would make a bigger difference than removing any other player from their team, which (again, as long as their team makes the playoffs) is how I base my MVP.
As far as goalie of the year, it’s close but I’m picking Drew Adams. Kip Turner’s been great (in fewer games) and Jordan Burke has an identical record and a few more saves, but Adams has faced the most shots of any goalie in the league, and unlike some of the other goalies, hasn’t had a top-ranked offense to bail him out if he had a bad game.
5. Coach of the year?
Joe Spallina is my choice for coach of the year. Between Rob Pannell staying in school, Max Quinzani taking the year off and Berger and Danowski heading to Charlotte, I think most of us expected very few wins from a rebuilding Lizards squad. In his first year, Spallina’s put a very young team in a great position to make it to Championship Weekend.
6. What do you take out of MLL 2012?
I think this has been a great year for the league. They had a successful All-Star game in a potential new market, they’ve gotten increased national television coverage with CBS Sports Network (and a steady presence on SportsCenter), and their new teams (especially Charlotte) have been well-received and successful from a promotion and attendance standpoint.
7. Possible expansion?
I’ve been wary of expansion in the past since so many cities have tried and failed to support an MLL franchise. The game’s growing all over, though, and I think the new franchises stand a much better chance of success than teams did years ago. Based on their All-Star game, I assume Florida is up next, but I have no idea where they’re headed after that. I wonder if they’re gun shy about going back to the west coast after the Dragons and Riptide folded.
8. What’s the future hold? Who wins it all and why?
They’ve been my pick all season, and they say defense wins championships, so as tempting as it is to jump on the Outlaws bandwagon, I have to stick with the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Too many capable scorers, the best defense in the league, and (if you think this sort of thing matters) a ton of guys with championships already under their belts.
