History could be made tonight. A win by the Rattlers will give the City of Rochester the title of Lacrosse City of Champions. It would be the first time that both the Indoor (NLL) and Outdoor (MLL) Champion come from the same city. On May 31st the Knighthawks made NLL history by three-peating as champions, the first time in the leagues 28 year existence.
Tonight the top two teams will meet for the MLL Championship. It will be the Rattlers second appearance in the title game. Last time they played for the championship was in 2008, against the same Denver Outlaws. Rattlers won the game 16-6, but after the team relocated to Toronto. The teams split their two regular season meetings, each winning at home.
Since their return (Chicago Machine moved to Rochester)in 2011 the team has finished no higher then fifth place, until this season. In 2011 the Rattlers brought in a familiar name to be the Head Coach, Tim Soudan.
Soudan played 11 seasons for the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. Soudan was also a member of the 1997 MILL Championship team, and was hired as the Knighthawks Assistant GM in 2008.
In June 2011 Soudan was hired as the head coach for the Rattlers for the final six games (2-4) and the building of a championship started. Since coming on board, Soudan has compiled a 25-23 overall record. The Rattlers have won a number of awards so far this season. Justin Turri (Most Improved), John Galloway (Goaltender of the Year), Mike Manley (Defensive Player of the Year) and of course Head Coaach of the Year Tim Soudan. But no doubt they would exchange them all for another MLL Championship.
In the semi final game the Rattlers started out slow in the first quarter, but got on track in the second quarter and turned it on full power in the second half to come away with the victory 15-11. Rattlers are led by Dave Lawson (23G), Mark Cockerton (24G) and Jordan Wolf (21G). Kevin Leveille was the star last week scoring 6 times.
The Outlaws will be making their 5th appearance in the Championship game, and looking to capture the gold ring for the first time. In the previous four championship appearances the Outlaws lost three of them by 10 or more goals, while losing a nail biter in 2009 by only a goal.
In 2013 it seemed the Outlaws would rope in the championship by running the regular season table going 14-0. But a hungry bunch of Hounds defeated the Outlaws in last years semi-final 17-14.
This season the Outlaws finished second with a 9-5 record. Even though they lost to the Lizards in overtime on the final regular season game, they held onto the #2 seed by virtue of the tie-breaker. Last week in the semi-final, another one goal game for the Outlaws, this time in their favor as they scored the game winner with 15 seconds to go in regulation 14-13.
John Grant Jr led the way for the Outlaws with 4 goals and 3 assists, the last two assists came on the tying and game winning goals. Chris Bocklet (hat trick) along with Drew Snider and Jeremy Sieverts (game winner) two goals each led the Outlaw offense.
Jesse Schwartzman stood tall making some key saves to keep the Outlaws in the game so they can come away with the victory.
Keys to the game….
Rochester has to avoid being down early. Last week they had to battle back from a 4-0 lead to Ohio. This happens with Denver, it could get worse.
Rochesters defense must put a lock on Grant and Eric Law. Its almost certain that Mike Manley (Defensive Player of the Year) will be defending one of these players.
Denver must do the same to Kevin Leveille. They can not allow him to score like he did last week, or as easily.
Denver’s offense must take advantage of any extra chances they get on offense. John Galloway is not allowing many second chances.
My view of the game:
With both these teams we could have a shootout, as both have high powered offense. Both Rochester and Denver scored 188 goals during regular season and 15 & 14 goals respectively in their first round playoff game.
Or we could have a goalie battle as Galloway had a 11.16 GAA and Schwartzman a 12.13 GAA during regular season can put it on lock down and any given time.
This will not be a repeat of 2008 as far as the score. But it will be a repeat of the result.
Rattlers win 15-12 as history is made again in Rochester.
