2012 was a good season for Major League Lacrosse. The league expanded, saw a great Championship Weekend, got on television a lot and overall, they had a solid year. What are the ten things we learned this season?
10. Bayhawks Two Shot Weapon is Nasty
Phil Shore mentioned some of this in his story for Lacrosse Magazine, and I have to agree with him. The Bayhawks biggest asset all season was their two point shot, and sure enough, it helped them when they needed it. Ben Hunt scored tow big doubles in the Championship, and those were the biggest differences.
9. Drew Adams is Elite
Two years in a row for goaltender of the year is hard to get. Drew Adams is now the third goaltender to do that. Adams helped a “rebuilding” Lizards team into the playoffs, a team that was expected to have struggles. He could have been their MVP this season, and he has proven himself an elite goaltender in the league.
8. Â Cannons Offense Is Still Stacked
This might be what hurt Paul Rabil as the league MVP. The Boston Cannons offense was loaded all season, and it probably will be again. With Rabil leading the league in points, Â Ryan Boyle led in assists and Matt Poskay in goals. Ari Sussman stepped up this season and Kevin Buchanan continues to be solid, so the Cannons should be around again in 2013.
7. Charlotte Will be a Cornerstone
A lot of people looked to the Charlotte Hounds as the “sexy pick” to make the playoffs this season. That was not exactly the case. However, they built a good foundation with their players, and they drew a decent attendance. There is a good chance the Hounds are a cornerstone of MLL if they can put a good team on the field next season.
6. League is Getting Big
The league saw all of their games televised this season, several of them with CBS Sports Network and on an ESPN network. There are now eight solid teams, Jake Steinfeld’s book has been optioned to be made into a TV show, there is tons of media, things are looking up for MLL.
5. Some Players May Not Agree
Casey Powell had a lot of things to say about the league, and some players agree based on the reaction from that interview. John Grant Jr was one of those vocal players. Is there something bigger here? Maybe. It’s something to follow at least.
4. Â Faceoffs Are Important
If Charlotte won faceoffs, they are probably in the playoffs. The Bayhawks won their game on Sunday largely due to faceoff wins from Alex Smith. Denver couldn’t win faceoffs till they brought in Anthony Kelly. I think this year, more than any other, we learned the value of faceoffs.
3. Younger and Younger Stars, But Veterans are Still Elite
Rabil, Brendan Mundorf, Boyle, Kyle Dixon, and all the other top veterans in the league continued to be the building blocks of their teams. Despite young players like Kevin Crowley Steele Stanwick stepping up, it’s still the veterans carrying the way.
2. Brian Reese is a Great GM
He traded for Drew Westervelt and John Grant Jr, he acquired Kip Turner, and did much more. After leaving the Denver Outlaws, Brian Reese became the general manager of the Bayhawks, and he did an amazing job getting that team to a Championship.
1. It’s Really Hard to Win
The Outlaws looked like the dominant team all season. The Cannons had some of the best weapons in the league. The Lizards had a nine goal lead in the playoffs. But none of them won. The Bayhawks did. It is really hard to win a Championship in Major League Lacrosse.
