The Ohio Machine are one of the most intriguing teams in Major League Lacrosse right now. They’ve clinched a playoff spot with two games remaining in their season and after their first trip to the playoffs a season ago, they’re looking to go on a championship run this summer. So let’s take a look at some of the key factors as to how the Machine got to this point. The…
WLA Rookie Report: Taylor, Malcolm Rise Up
Connor Goodwin, Maple Ridge Burrards The fifth overall selection in February’s WLA Draft, Goodwin has stepped in as an immediate contributor to the Burrards offence. He’s given Ridge another lefty who can operate without the ball, he has size and is a good playmaker for his age. Goodwin’s play really started to take off when Dan Taylor was signed; the duo have taken attention away from the right handers like…
Is Mark Matthews the Next John Grant Jr.?
Mark Matthews tore it up in the NLL in 2015, setting the Edmonton Rush franchise record for points in a season (115) while leading the team to their first-ever Champion’s Cup. The former first-overall pick for the Rush has lived up to the advanced hype and then some, drawing comparisons to other similar stars, such as the Colorado Mammoth’s John Grant Jr. But is Matthews really the next Grant Jr.?…
Report: Edmonton Rush Moving to Saskatoon
The inevitable had been delayed long enough. After months of speculation, the Edmonton Rush will move to Saskatoon. Global News in Canada broke the story tonight that the Rush will have a press conference next Tuesday announcing the move. The Rush are coming off of their first Champions Cup just six weeks ago. Before they won, there had been speculation it would be their last season. Owner Bruce Urban had…
Spallina Won’t Rest Players Despite Lizards Clinch
With two games left in the regular season, the New York Lizards have already clinched the league’s best record heading into the playoffs. Regardless, head coach Joe Spallina said he won’t be resting fully healthy players. “The focal point of our group from day one has been about the finish line,” Spallina said on Wednesday during the MLL coaches’ conference call. “And we realize there are things that need to…
Bandits Extend Batson, Goodwin, Others
Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich today announced the team has agreed to terms on two-year contracts with transition players Kevin Brownell and Brandon Goodwin, as well as defenseman Jamie Batson. The team has also agreed to terms with transition player Mitch Jones on a one-year deal. The contracts are pending league approval. Batson, who was acquired in a trade from the Rochester Knighthawks on March 31, 2015, collected one…
Prout, Sanderson, Kelusky Among NLL Hall of Fame Ballot
The National Lacrosse League has announced five finalists for the NLL Hall of Fame Class of 2015 ballot. Four new nominees have been selected by the league’s Hall of Fame Committee. The new nominees are Kevin Finneran, Tracey Kelusky, Gavin Prout and Terry Sanderson. They will join Jake Bergey, a 2014 nominee, on this year’s ballot. Voting by the teams, current members of the NLL Hall of Fame and senior…
Will Manny: Ambassador of the Game
Will Manny couldn’t get away from lacrosse. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in May of 2013, he began a full-time job with Bank of America in Boston. Even though he was still playing the sport he loves with the Boston Cannons, something was missing. “Within six months or so, I wasn’t comfortable,” said Manny. “It’s not that I didn’t like working in finance. I loved learning, but I…
Rattlers Clinch, But Still Have Battles Ahead
The Season Thus Far: Wins: 7 Losses: 5 Games Back: 3 HOME: 4-2 AWAY: 3-3 The Rochester Rattlers proved just how tough they are this past week with a big win over Chesapeake at home. A very strong faceoff game with various scorers in Lawson, Staats, Matthews, and Rice helped…
Launch Late Season Success Positive For Future
With three wins in a row and a nice turn around for Florida Launch so late in the season, it makes you wonder what has changed for the better for the team. Looking at the Attack Coach Stan Ross stated that before Florida was able to pick up Miles Thompson and Lyle Thompson, the defense only had to worry about Kieran McArdle and Casey Powell owning the ball. Now that…