The late game on PLL’s Friday night schedule was Chrome and Waterdogs. The ‘Dogs (0-3) were still looking for their first win as a franchise – and still are, after falling 13-12 in yet another classic close PLL matchup. Chrome finishes group play with a 3-1 record to sit in third place with two days left of competition for the rest of the field.
The game saw Chrome’s John Ranagan getting them on the board first. The first quarter would see a meltdown of the ‘Dogs defense with a lack of communication. Guys weren’t helping each other when one would slide, leaving players like Jordan Wolf and Justin Guterding to do their things and get the Chrome an 8-3 lead going into halftime.
Despite a late night and heartbreaking loss to the Archers the night before, Chrome didn’t look affected. Wolf ended the game with four assists. Guterding and Jesse King each had two goals and one assist.
This was the first game that saw the Waterdogs losing going into the half. The second half saw the Waterdogs scoring first with a behind-the-net, only to be called back as a foot was in the crease before the ball crossed the line. That would see the Waterdogs go scoreless in the entire third quarter – after being held scoreless in the second quarter too – meanwhile, Jordan MacIntosh would increase Chrome’s lead to 11-3.
In goal, Matt DeLuca would replace Charlie Cipriano early in the 4th after Brendan Kavanagh scored a 2-point goal that was originally a pass to Guterding. Finally, after being scoreless for 28 minutes, Kieran McArdle would get the Dogs back on the board with 9:42 left in the game. Things got interesting when the Waterdogs went on a four-goal run in a short 1:24 span. Overall, they outscored Chrome 9-2 in the fourth quarter and even scored a pair of 2-pointers. Heartbreakingly for the Waterdogs, who held so much promise coming into the season, they couldn’t manage the one more they needed to tie the game.
One bit of good news for the Waterdogs: after only playing 12 seconds in their first game, Zach Currier cleared concussion protocol. He helped out on the defensive side of things in his first game back with two caused turnovers. Currier also led the team with six ground balls. Jake Withers had another great night at faceoff winning 7/12 draws for a 58% average, while his teammate and co-FOGO Drew Simoneau went 7/14 and scored twice.
Chrome now gets to sit back and relax and see when they play Tuesday or if what they did can get them a bye and to the semis on Thursday. They have a new identity and are not the team they were last year. Where the Waterdogs need someone to step up and be the hero. There are too many good offensive threats to not be winning games. The ‘Dogs need to figure out their own identity and need to find it fast as they finish pool play against the other 0-3 team Chaos.
