From InLax Philadelphia.
The National Lacrosse League is down to its final four teams and this Saturday will determine which teams will be playing for the Champions Cup in 2013. Both games will be televised by the CBS Sports Network. Here is a quick look at both Divisional Finals.
East Division Final
Minnesota Swarm (8-9) at Rochester Knighthawks (9-8)
4 PM at Blue Cross Arena
Regular Season: The teams did not meet in 2013. The teams last faced each other in 2012.
Playoff History: This will be the first meeting.
How they got here: Rochester opened the 2013 playoffs with a 10-8 victory over the Philadelphia Wings last Saturday in Rochester. Dan Dawson stepped up against his former team with a six point night (4G, 2A) while brother Paul added the game winning goal to back a 29 save performance by G Matt Vinc. Minnesota went into Air Canada Centre on Sunday and plastered the Toronto Rock 20-12. Jordan MacIntosh and Shayne Jackson scored four goals each while Ryan Benesch, Kiel Matisz and Josh Gillam each added hat tricks. Tyler Carlson stopped 54 shots for the Swarm.
X-factors: The high powered Swarm offense (2nd in goals scored behind Calgary) will have to find a way to put the ball past the league’s top goalie in Matt Vinc (10.17 GAA during the regular season). Will Cody Jamieson and Cory Vitarelli be healthy enough to play for the Knighthawks?
West Division Final
Washington Stealth (9-8) at Calgary Roughnecks (10-7)
6:30 PM at Scotiabank Saddledome
Regular Season: Washington won the season series 2-1.
Playoff history: Calgary has won two of the three meetings but Washington won the last time they met in the postseason (10-8 at Calgary in 2011).
How they got here: Washington came back from a 7-1 deficit to defeat the Edmonton Rush 12-11 Saturday at Comcast Arena. Rhys Duch scored four goals and assisted on Brett Bucktooth’s game winner to pace the Stealth. Tyler Richards stopped 41 shots in net for Washington. Calgary scored seven consecutive goals to erase a 7-6 Colorado lead and ran away with a 15-10 victory over the Mammoth in Calgary on Saturday. Shawn Evans, Scott Ranger and Jeff Shattler scored hat tricks to pace the Roughnecks offense while Mike Poulin stopped 32 Colorado shots.
X-factors: It will be a family affair in the faceoff circle between league leader Geoff Snider (310) and his brother Bob who finished second (262). Poulin (582) and Richards (579) ranked third and fourth, respectively, in saves. The Stealth were fourth in goals against (192) but were closer to the bottom teams while Calgary tied for last (211) with Buffalo. Both teams have very balanced offenses.
