The Rochester Rattlers take on the Florida launch this Saturday at the FAU stadium in Boca Raton, FL. In the final-game of the regular season, Rochester looks to do battle with the other three members in the 2015 MLL playoffs race for the seeds two to four. With Ohio in the lead by goal differential, a victory over the Launch with the Boston Cannons beating the Machine will grant Rochester the second seed.
The Rattlers are coming off a great win over the Hounds in what was one of their better performances of the season. For the entirety of the regular season, Rochester was the one team that seemed to be in absolute battles for almost every game. Their performance against the Hounds 18 – 10 speaks to the type of potential they can have that mirrors their 13 – 6 win over Boston. The transition defense of the Rattlers, led by Jeremy Thompson, along with a white-hot John Galloway, kept the Hounds defense disjointed and discombobulated. This was done despite winning one less than half the draws (15 – 31), and losing the groundball battle, proving what was seen all season, that they can play despite having varied areas of difficulty throughout an actual game. In a game that will showcase all but one of the famous Thompson brothers, look for them to be on red-alert for Jeremy’s younger siblings, Lyle and Miles Thompson. The UAlbany grads along with the spectacular Kieran McArdle out of St. John’s on paper will be one of Rochester’s most difficult defensive assignments this season. Look for John Lade to most likely have Lyle’s assignment, while Joel White will guard Cornell rookie Connor Buczek and/or Steven Brooks up top. The Launch’s other pair of brothers, the Lao-Gosney brothers, will also be a big defensive assignment. Like the Hounds before, the brothers out of Lehigh can push it in transition. Rochester will have their hands full with this number of offensive power, all assuming the best player on the field will potentially make an appearance, No. 22, Casey Powell. If the Galloway along with the now comfortable, cohesive, and complete defense that allowed merely ten goals last game show up tonight, this will spell great things to come for the post-season.
Meanwhile, the Rattlers’ offense might have an easier night, provided they have the majority of the possessions. Charlotte led Rochester in Face-Offs and Groundballs last game, two stats that the Canadian-heavy Rattlers lineup should find unacceptable. Florida’s defense leaves much to be desired, sitting at sixth in the league in goals against with 186. A team dotted with newcomers, rookie Casey Ikeda will most likely be the matchup exploited by Head Coach Tim Soudan. Rochester’s performance last week saw a variety of goals from different names, whilst still have their strong picking game with great midfield initiators. Look for Mark Matthews to have a big rebound game. The 2015 NLL champion with the Edmonton Rush was held scoreless in the last timeout. Being such a huge matchup nightmare, the crafty Canadian must perform better than usual as the Launch’s top defensemen in Tucker Durkin will most likely have the job of guarding Jordan Wolf. The rookie in Ikeda along with an inexperienced but capable goal-tender in Austin Kaut are all of what Matthews needs to catch up with his scoring. Rotating both Rice and Wolf from behind and up top might make its appearance once again this game, but do not expect it make an appearance once again, as the play limits Jordan Wolf’s impact on the game. Potentially, strong off-ball play will be the best recipe for success for the Rattlers’ offense in this game.
The Rattlers have had an up and down season, but potentially ending the season 9 – 5 weakened defensively, just a game behind last year, will show not just how strong they can be, but, along with the seeding, is a major confidence booster heading into the post. As such, this is in some respects a must win, the best test so far this season for the 2014 runner ups.
