The path for the Rochester Rattlers organization has not been typical. One of Major League Lacrosse’s original franchises, the team has enjoyed its fair of good seasons and its fair share of bad seasons. Rochester has not made the playoffs since 2008 when the Rattlers won their only MLL Championship.
The Rochester franchise even moved north of the border for the 2009 and 2010 seasons until the old Chicago Machine moved into town and took on the name Rattlers.
The organization has been fairly successful, owning an all-time record of 78-73. After a 2-10 season in 2011, the Rattlers barely missed the playoffs each of the last two summers, finishing in fifth place each time.
This year’s version appears primed to do something special. Rochester has won four straight games and is tied for first place (with Denver) with an 8-3 record. Look up and down the lineup, and it is not loaded with big names. There is plenty of talent, don’t get me wrong, but among the leading scorers are Justin Turri, Jordan MacIntosh, Kevin Leveille and Dave Lawson. They are super talented players, including several who represented their countries in the World Lacrosse Championships. However, they aren’t the big, “sexy” names in the sport. Even Leveille, the MLL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, isn’t someone fans instantly think of as a top name in the sport. Rather, fans probably think of Paul Rabil or Brendan Mundorf or Brodie Merrill. That’s not because Leveille isn’t a talented goal scorer, but because he quietly goes about his business.
The Rattlers are a perfect example of team. They aren’t an All-Star team and they don’t receive all the hoopla, but they produce and they win. In fact, you can make the argument that newcomers Miles and Ty Thompson are the “flashiest” players they have.
Flash doesn’t win championships… teams do. Rochester has two one-point victories, a two-point win and a three-point victory this season and has rarely run away from teams, but the Rattlers have learned how to win. Barring a collapse over its final three regular season games, Rochester is comfortably in the playoffs, but there is still a lot to play for. The Rattlers look to garner the top seed for the postseason, but if not, stay at #2 and garner a home game in the MLL Semifinals. New York stands just one game behind Denver and Rochester, so there is little room for error if the Rattlers want to be playing at home come August 17.
After a 6-8 season in 2013, Rochester looks to continue its recent momentum and end it holding the Steinfeld Cup. The Rattlers are the San Antonio Spurs of Major League Lacrosse. Will they be able end the season as MLL Championships? It’s one of many intriguing storylines as we come during the stretch of another exciting regular season.
