When you take a moment to think about it, what can really be said to preview an All-Star game? Almost regardless of the sport under examination, All-Star games are an exhibition of offensive skill. Sure, defenders are invited to show up, but really this is their moment to shine on the other half of the field. I’ll admit to writing this on Friday afternoon before the teams have been picked…
MLL At the Break: Rochester Rattlers
With the MLL All-Star break coming up, now is a time to look back at the Rochester Rattlers’ opening half of the 2015 MLL season. Last year’s runner up in the 2014 MLL Championship game against the Denver Outlaws in Kennesaw, Georgia, the Rattlers (5 – 3) are currently tied for second overall in the league with the Ohio Machine (5 – 3). Six Rattlers will be representing the team…
MLL All-Stars: Breaking Down the Attack
The MLL All-Star game always comes at a strange time in the lacrosse calendar. Several NLL stars have yet to log significant minutes, and most rookies have done the same assuming they have even seen the field. But, the great thing about the MLL is there is so much talent on the field that it is hard to argue that the All-Star selections do not represent the best in the…
NCAA Year In Review: Top Ten Goaltenders
In part four of my year in review series, we take a look at the top goaltenders in the 2015 NCAA season. Goaltenders, in my opinion, are the most important player on a lacrosse team. They are the last line of defense, and a great one can decide if teams win close games or not. Tom Carey – Ohio State Ohio State was an up-and-down team for most of the…
NLL Trade Grades: Ethan O’Connor for Brock Sorensen
This NLL offseason, we will be examining some of the trades that shaped the 2015 season. The Toronto Rock and Minnesota Swarm had vastly different paths in 2015. Minnesota, despite several first round picks, missed the playoffs once again and then they moved to Georgia. Toronto fought through adversity and injury to become the top seeded team in the NLL playoffs and become the eastern representative in the finals. In…
MLL Rookie Report: Week Ten
Rookies are continuing to make their mark in Major League Lacrosse. It’s hard enough to crack a gameday roster (as evident by the relatively few who have played), but those who are playing are continuing to contribute. The Florida Launch continue to feature several rookies, led by Lyle Thompson who tallied one goal and three assists in last Friday’s 18-11 loss at undefeated New York. Thompson has recorded multiple points…
Revisiting the 2014 NLL Draft
With the Edmonton Rush claiming their first National Lacrosse League title last weekend, with a 11-10 win over the Toronto Rock, it put a stamp on the 2015 season. With that being said, it’s time to revisit 2014 NLL draft, and see just what impact the 2014 draft class had on the NLL this season. With so few active roster spots in the NLL these days, finding yourself in the…
WLA Power Rankings: Week Three
1. Victoria Shamrocks (LW – 1) Record: 4-2-0 Goal Differential: +19 Last Week: 12-11 W vs. Maple Ridge, 16-6 W at Langley This Week: None This week was more like the status quo for the Shamrocks, who showed some veteran moxy in holding off the Burrards for a big 12-11 win and following it up with a blowout of Langley. As long as guys like Cory Conway, Corey Small and Rhys Duch keep filling the…
Peterborough Lakers Acquire Mike Kirk
The Century 21 Lakers are adding another brother act to the team trading a second and third round draft pick to Kitchener for defensive specialist Mike Kirk, older brother of goalie Evan Kirk. That gives the Lakers three sets of brothers: Scott and Brad Self, Shawn and Scott Evans, but more importantly another steady defender for the Lakers. The Kirks will be dressed tonight in what may be the first…
MLL Breakout Players of 2015: Half Way Point
The term “breakout player” is so vague that it is hard to define who truly have broken out this season in Major League Lacrosse. The way we’ve gone about it is selecting players playing better than expected and making more of an impact than they have for their team in the past. Obviously, rookies who came aboard two weeks ago cannot be considered. Davey Emala- Boston Cannons The Cannons were…