For the first time since 2004, the Calgary Roughnecks have a chance to hoist the National Lacrosse League Champions Cup, as they take on the New York Titans tonight on The FAN 960 and FAN960.com (7:30 pm faceoff, 6 pm pregame). The Riggers are the last game in town, and hope to continue riding their wave of momentum; Calgary has won 4 straight games including the final 2 regular season showdowns.
The game between the Roughnecks and Titans will also be carried across the NLL Network on NLL.com. It marks the 2nd time this season the 2 teams will meet; their lone regular season encounter came on the final day of February at Madison Square Garden; the Riggers prevailed 12-10. To me, this matchup is about as interesting as you could possibly get in this league, and 3 immediate things jump out to me.
First, the dramatic differences in the way these teams have been built. New York is based around mostly American players with an NCAA, field lacrosse background. Calgary on the other hand employs players who have all been brought up on the indoor, “box” game. The Titans count 17 players with NCAA experience on their resume, including 13 Division 1 players (Calgary has 2 Division 1 alums, Tracey Kelusky and Devan Wray). The most notable is New York’s leading scorer Casey Powell, is who is probably the most popular American player ever. His 85 points in 13 games lead the Titans in scoring, and his points-per-game ratio was second best in the NLL. What you’re going to see in this game is a very, very athletic Titans team go up against the pressure based defence of Calgary. There was a real adjustment period in their earlier game at MSG, so you will see some feeling out I think in this game. New York is adjusted to the box game, however. Helped out by coach Ed Comeau and vet Pat Maddalena, this team has done a great job of translating the NCAA backgrounds into solid NLL skill sets.
Second, both teams are playing some damn stingy defence. Calgary is averaging just 6.5 goals per game against in the postseason, which is down 3.9 goals from the regular season. What’s more impressive is that Calgary was the best defensive team in the NLL during the regular season. The Titans are right there with them, with idential goals against numbers as Calgary in the playoffs (13 in 2 games). New York allowed just 3 goals in their East Division Final win over Buffalo, a 9-3 triumph. That was just 1 goal away from tying an NLL record, as goaltender Matt Vinc (another Div 1 alum) made 41 of a possible 44 saves. Toronto only allowed 2 goals in a playoff game back in 1999, which still remains the NLL record. As high powered as these 2 offences are, it’s the play on the defensive side of the ball that is going to win the day.
But offence is where we’ll pick up on our final point. These were 2 of the highest scoring teams in the NLL regular season, but one has potted a ton, and one seems like a dormant offence ready to strike. New York has just 20 goals in the postseason thus far, down 1.9 goals per game from the regular season. However, Powell leads all scorers with 15 playoff points and previously quiet studs Maddalena and 2007 1st overall pick Jordan Hall are poised to break out. On the Calgary side, they look to keep their scoring momentum going. The team is averaging 16 goals per game thus far in the playoffs, way above their season average (+3.1). Lead by Josh Sanderson and Dane Dobbie, the Riggers have got big outings from all around. That includes Scott Ranger (9 points last week), Tracey Kelusky (11 points overall), and transition studs Jeff Shattler and Nolan Heavenor (3 goals combined). If New York’s offence gets going, that’s scary. If Calgary’s offence keeps going the way they have; that’s even scarier.
It proves to be one outstanding NLL Champions Cup Final tonight at the Dome. Tickets are still available and I really, really encourage you to go check this one out. Quite honestly, you won’t be let down. As this is my last pregame blog of the season, I have to say a special thank you to the behind-the-scenes queens of the Roughnecks. Those being Kelsey, Allana and Miranda in the Necks front office. Kelsey is the friendliest voice ever on the phone. Allana hurt her arm and yet always gives me pizza. And Miranda always smells nice, has the best game notes in the NLL, and has only made me cry once.
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It is so hard to tell how this game will play-out. The only thing I am certain about is that it should be close. It remains to be seen what will give first, the offense or defense. This will either be low scoring or high scoring, but I don’t think you’ll see a one-sided affair. Both teams are great at changing their defensive strategies without missing a beat. My only cocnern for the Roughnecks is if the Offense quits moving their feet. They are at their worst when they stand around waiting for something to open up. But I think they’re learned from earlier mistakes and as seen so far in the post-season, if they can move themselves and the ball around alot while on the attack that’s when they are most successful. It should be good.
Oh, and Pat! Thanks for all your hard work, not just the play-by-play but the blogs, the reports and responding to e-mails from the fans. Just a small word of advise if I could though?! Girls like guys who are sensitive, but trust me…they don’t want to see us cry.
- Bob in the AbbeyIt’s about time you included us in your blog!!!!!
- Miranda and AllanaGo NY TITANS !!!
#48 Brothers and Friends !!!
- VNO #48 Fan