I know we all have been looking forward to this last weekend of lacrosse. So much excitement, so much riding on each of the games. But it has taken a back seat this week in a very big way. The horrendous act this past week at the Boston Marathon leaving a few people dead including 8 year old Martin Richard, and well over 100 injured including Martin’s mom Denise who had surgery on her brain from injuries sustained in the blast and Martin’s 6 yr old sister who lost her leg. Again, from my family, and us here at ILWT our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this as well as the citizens of Boston.
So as we watch our games this weekend, keep the families and Boston in your thoughts and prayers.
BOSTON STRONG!!!!
Ok lacrosse fans here we are, the end of the 2013 regular season. Already?! Well time fly’s when your having fun. And this season has been one of the most exciting ones I have experienced in all of the leagues 27 years. As I said in previous articles, I thought by now the only game that would mean anything would be the Colorado Mammoth/Minnesota Swarm. The only thing we know for sure is, the Toronto Rock have won the NLL East and will play Sunday April 28th at 3pm.. Also, Wings, Rush, Roughnecks, Stealth, Swarm have all clinched a playoff berth. We have 2 spots left and 3 teams fighting for them. Colorado, Buffalo, Rochester. Yes, the defending champs are on the edge of elimination. A loss to Buffalo and a Mammoth win would eliminate the defending champions. While a victory over the Bandits will eliminate Buffalo and give Rochester a home playoff game versus the Wings.
The first two games on the slate will be watched by lacrosse fans all over. Rochester/Buffalo will be on CBS Network at 7:30pm eastern, while the Colorado Mammoth/Minnesota Swarm game starts at 8pm eastern on TLN. So no doubt fans will have the TV tuned in and the internet feed for the other game. What will be interesting will be if the Mammoth are winning, will the Bandits arena announcer will broadcast the score to the fans in attendance? As we know, players try not to look at the scoreboard, but if they (Rochester) hear the Mammoth are winning, it could mentally put a little pressure on the Knighthawks if they are losing at the time.
Rochester Knighthawks & Buffalo Bandits. Who would of thought the defending champs would be facing elimination? Who thought the Bandits all but buried have a shot for the playoffs, and also a chance to host a home game? I didn’t!! A Bandit WIN and a Wings loss will give Buffalo a # 2 seed in the East and they will host the Wings in round one. A Bandit loss, and the curtain closes on their season, and maybe the end Johnny Tavares’ career. ( I hope not, like to see him have a grand tour. He deserves it) For Rochester, a win and they host Philadelphia in round one for the second straight year. A loss, and they will be scoreboard watching in the hopes the Mammoth lose to the Swarm. Should the Mammoth defeat the Swarm, and the Knighthawks lose, the curtain will close on Rochester’s season.
The Colorado Mammoth & Minnesota Swarm game. Here is what’s at stake. Swarm have already clinched. Colorado can get in two ways. Win. Or a Buffalo loss to Rochester. Scenario #1 A loss by Buffalo to Rochester, would send the loser of Mammoth/Swarm to the East as the crossover. A win by Buffalo forces the Mammoth into a MUST WIN. And if that happens (Col/Buf win) then Minnesota travels to face Toronto as the crossover team.
Calgary Roughnecks & Edmonton Rush…We now travel to Edmonton were a lot is on the line. Winner of this game will win the NLL West and host either Minnesota or Colorado in round 1. An Edmonton win and they clinch the NLL West & best overall record for 2013 and have home field for as long as they are in the playoffs. A loss and Toronto will have the best overall record for 2013.
So here is the scenario for both teams.
1-Calgary/Edmonton winner will either host Colorado or Minnesota in round 1.
2– An Edmonton loss & Stealth win, Edmonton will be a 3rd seed on the road to face 2nd seed Washington in round 1 as Cal/Was/Edm all would be 9-7 and Calgary would win the tie breaker followed by Washington and Edmonton.
3—A Calgary loss and they would need a Swarm win and a Stealth loss to host a home playoff game as Cal/Was/Min would all be 8-8 and Calgary would own the tiebreaker in a 3 way tie followed by Washington and Minnesota.
4—A Roughnecks loss and Stealth win, Calgary travels to Washington for round 1.
Our final stop is in Everett Washington…. Philadelphia Wings & Washington Stealth. Both have clinched a playoff berth. By the time this game starts everything could be settled or be close to being settled. So for the Wings, this game could mean a lot, or basically nothing. They could also be a spoiler by winning the game and preventing the Stealth a chance for a home game in round 1. Also, I don’t think they want to go into the playoffs on a losing note, but you don’t want to get injuries either. The game they and the fans will be looking at is the Rochester vs Buffalo. Should Rochester win, the Wings will go to Rochester for round 1 no matter what they do in this game, so we may see split time in net with Brandon Miller and Angus Dineley. Other scenarios are below
For Philadelphia: Can not finish lower then a #3 seed. And no higher then a #2
1– Wings/Buffalo WIN… Philadelphia hosts Buffalo in round 1
2—Buffalo Win/ Wings loss Philadelphia travels to Buffalo for round 1
For the Stealth they can clinch a home game in the first round only if they defeat the Wings, OR if Minnesota & Calgary lose. Otherwise they will be on the road as a #3 seed.
Now…are you confused still? Its easy to understand…I think.. I told you it be an unbelievable ride this season. Think about it…Buffalo wins, we have to wait another 30 minutes or so to see who is in/out. Buffalo looses, we know who is in, and we know Rochester will host Philadelphia,
BUT…..
Who will be the crossover?
Who will win the West?
Will Edmonton be the best in the NLL regular season for 2013?
For individual things to watch….
Will Mark Matthews break John Grant Jr’s rookie goal scoring mark of 38? Matthews is at 37.
Shawn Evans will win the point scoring title this year. Currently at 102. Record is 116 set last season by John Grant Jr. It’s not impossible, could Evans get 15 points? Will Calgary try to get him in on every scoring play if possible?
Is Shawn Evans this years MVP? Or is it Garrett Billings? Mark Matthews Rookie of the Year? Of course…3 time Rookie of the Month. Sure, Jackson and Matisz have done great in Minnesota, but Matthews has just ran away with it.
This last week of the regular season will be exciting!!!! Enjoy it everyone!!!!
Next week we start the Chase for the Champions Cup!!! Will we have a repeat champion at the end? Will defending champs be in the playoffs? Will the Rock be the first team to 7 titles? Can Edmonton reach the promised land after falling 30 minutes short last year?These questions and more…NEXT WEEK!
