How about a self-indulgent rankings theme this week? In addition to some great MLL games this weekend, the remaining members of the Grateful Dead played their first two of five final concerts, the Fare Thee Well celebration, out in Santa Clara, California. Looking ahead to this coming weekend, with more MLL and more Grateful Dead goodness, as Fare Thee Well descends on Chicago for three nights, let’s do the marriage of lacrosse and the Grateful Dead properly. In other words, this is what happens when an actual Deadhead intersects the two and not just a marketing department.
- New York Lizards – Truckin’ – the Lizards were busted down in Boca Raton, not Bourbon Street, knocked down like a bowling pin. Dropping two games in a row to the two teams at the bottom of the standings? Even if they drop a couple more in during the regular season they’ll be a favorite for the playoffs.
- Ohio Machine – Eyes of the World – wake up to find out what happens when one of the league’s top offenses is paired with a top defense. Phipps faced 34 shots and made 22 saves? Watching Ohio was like listening to a killer ’73 Eyes, lots of bounce and plenty of improvisation to keep you entertained.
- Boston Cannons – Crazy Fingers – When Boston let things flow they were at their best against Chesapeake. Kevin Buchanan reached for the gold ring and came down with it more than once.
- Chesapeake Bayhawks – Terrapin Station – Former Terrapin Joe Walters isn’t afraid to let his inspiration flow. Tyler Fiorito continues to shed light, but also to master the goal crease area. Drew Westervelt shows that he paid attention in geometry class by his ability to disregard current notions of mathematics when choosing shooting angles.
- Rochester Rattlers – Shakedown Street – don’t tell me this town ain’t got no heart! The Ratz got down early, Jordan Wolf was relatively contained, but this team never gave up. Yes, Galloway is a bit streaky this year, but don’t count the Rattlers out by any stretch. Despite 2 consecutive losses, they’re still very much in it.
- Denver Outlaws – Loser – “All that I am asking for is ten gold dollars/And I could pay you back with one good hand.” Switch out “dollars” for “goals” and you’ve got the Outlaws, or perhaps we should substitute for “saves” instead. Loser is about a down and out gambler who thinks his fate will change with one hand. Denver is heading the wrong way, fast. There is no consistency with this team right now, from personnel to on-field play. Not a good sign at this point in the season.
- Charlotte Hounds – Deal – another in the Dead’s canon about gamblers, but Deal is about weighing the causes of winning and losing much more self-aware about the process. Charlotte is a self-aware team right now and riding a two-game win streak. Joey Sankey was the catalyst, but others have followed his example. With multiple players stepping up now Charlotte is no pushover.
- Florida Launch – Let It Grow – “Seasons round, creatures great and small/Up and down, as we rise and fall.” It’s been a roller coaster in Florida, and Kieran McArdle and CP22 run the show in Florida. The Thompsons missed this game, but the Launch still got the W. Jovan Miller was a welcome sight as a two-way midfielder who helped tremendously in the clearing game, and he added a two-pointer as well. Yes, there have been valleys this year, now we’re starting to see some peaks. Less fall, more rise.
