Charlotte Hounds (4-7) at Rochester Rattlers (8-3)
7 p.m., Sahlen’s Stadium, Rochester, N.Y.
There are playoff implications for both the Charlotte Hounds and Rochester Rattlers when they meet for the second time this season on Saturday night.
With three games remaining in the Major League Lacrosse season, the struggling Hounds find themselves in a must-win situation. Charlotte has to close out its schedule by winning all of its remaining games to have a chance at making the league playoffs for the second straight year.
Meanwhile, the Rattlers – who are tied for the MLL lead with the Denver Outlaws – can clinch a playoff berth early by winning Saturday’s game. It would be Rochester’s first appearance in the MLL playoffs since the Rattlers won the league title in 2008.
The odds do not favor the Hounds – Rochester has won four straight, and is undefeated at home this season (5-0), while Charlotte has lost its last two games and has not won a road game this season (0-5).
The Rattlers hold a 3-2 edge over the Hounds all time, including a 15-13 victory at Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium on July 5.
Justin Turri, who played for the Hounds in 2012, leads Rochester in goals (18), assists (11) and total points (31).
Mike Sawyer leads the Hounds in goals (19), while rookie Justin Ward leads in assists (14) and total points (26).
