The Rochester Rattlers (6 – 5) are taking on the Chesapeake Bayhawks (5 – 6) in the final home game of the regular season in Brockport, NY. Coming off a statement win against the Ohio Machine (7 – 5) at Ohio, the Rattlers look to make a playoff push against a struggling Bayhawks team. Meanwhile, Chesapeake is coming off a loss against the Lizards, so Coach Cottle and the five-time champion Bayhawks will look for some retribution as the playoffs are in full swing.
Rochester’s win last week was not only impressive because of who they faced, but also how they won. An offense that was seemingly attack first for the most part of the first half of the season, Coach Soudan was able to readjust his players in order to combat a powerful team that he has only beaten once before in the past two seasons. Utilizing the strong box presence on his team, the switch to strong picks allowed Coach Soudan to transform his high-powered midfield scorers and dodgers into creators and initiators, which freed up his attack and made it hard on a defense that prepared only for that attack.
If Chesapeake is to win this game, they will now have to defend not just Jordan Wolf and Jeremy Boltus, but strong picks off a dodge or from X from everyone else. It’s a “pick” your poison type situation for any opponent, as Rochester now has not only a solid Plan B, but still has the feared Rochester transition that was the best in the league last season.
The defense last game, despite letting in 15 goals, had a strong second half. John Galloway’s inconsistencies in net are starting to shake off, but the Rattler’s are starting to work out Mike Manley’s seemingly season-ending injury. Their best defense, however, might be at the Face-Offs. Last week, Rochester was able to answer the problem of Greg Puskuldjian, who tore through the Rattlers during their first game. With the Machine not possessing the ball, their offense’s strong presence was weakened.
Rochester’s last defensive win was against the Cannons a week before the All-Star break, limiting them to six goals. Looking ahead to the play offs, if the Rattlers is to make a strong showing in the post-season, they must be able to stop offenses from going on long runs, and John Galloway must break out of his funk and play well. Groundballs and Face-Off wins must be the same script if they are to limit Chesapeake’s offense, led by Joe Walters and Matt Danowski. It all starts with this next game.
