NLL
NLL Champion’s Cup Playoffs – They’re Here!
Editor’s Note: Thanks to the help of the innovative team at SISU Guard, the Official Mouthguard of the NLL, we’ve beefing up our National Lacrosse League coverage! We hope you enjoy our look at the 2016 NLL season through a new lens with the aid of our partner SISU!
Finally! The 2016 NLL Champion’s Cup Playoffs are here! Our staff will have all hands on deck over the coming weeks to give the an up close and personal look at the race to hoist that coveted trophy. For now, Ryan Conwell is going to give us a look at the Swarm’s trip to the Black Wolves and I will follow with the Roughnecks journey down to the Mammoth. We’ve got all you need to get up to date with the games, including how to watch, the NLL Playoff format and so much more!
Your NLL Super Post:
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Games of the Week
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Playoff Schedule
TV Schedule
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Get to the clickin’!
Georgia Swarm (8-10) at New England Black Wolves (10-8)
When: 4/30/2016 – 7:00 pm ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
Watch: NLLtv.com
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 3rd Seed in Eastern Conference
Points Leader: Randy Staats – 36 goals, 59 assists
Where are they?
The Georgia Swarm finished the season at 8-10, but it was one win enough to clinch the third seed in the East over Rochester.
How’d the get here?
The Swarm had some terrible games (scoring four points against Rochester) and some great games (14-6 over Vancouver), but almost all of their games were kept to a small margin.
What’s next?
Georgia’s success hinges in their rookie forwards and their ability to overcome New England in their first game. Overall, the Swarm were 3-9 against other playoff teams, but two of those were in the month of April when they had big seven point wins over New England and Colorado. They also handily beat Vancouver and Rochester in the span, but lost to New England in a second match by 10.
Georgia can absolutely play with any team in the league. They have wins over both Eastern opponents, which will provide them with plenty of confidence. Rookie forward Randy Staats is coming off a season where he broke the NLL Rookie scoring record. Staats does not do it alone, though. Joining him in the top 25 scorers in the league are fellow Swarm members Shayne Jackson, Jesse King, and Johnny Powless. No other team has more than three in the top 25, and the four names listed don’t even contain Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson, or Kiel Matisz who actually comes in at number 27. This diversified and dangerous attack can morph to whatever the defense gives it. If someone has the hot hand, they’ll get the ball. Sometimes it’s Staats, sometimes it’s Jackson, Powless, or King. This offense is very tough to play for.
The defense for the Swarm has also make your day miserable. Jordan MacIntosh and Joel White are both in the top five in loose balls for the season. Those two with rookie Chad Tutton have the proven ability to push the ball up the floor and put it in the net as well. Behind them, things can be a little more confusing. Both Brodie MacDonald and Zach Higgins saw time in every game this season, but this was not a first-half/second-half split thing. MacDonald typically got the start and Higgins would come in when needed. Both had fantastic moments that made them virtual walls. Both could also seem lost for small, but crucial stretches. If the keepers are having more good moments than bad, the Swarm defense should hold tight and make any game tough. If the defense is letting the other team’s shooters get right on top of them or have open looks? Summer leagues will be starting a little earlier for Swarm players.
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 2nd Seed in Eastern Conference
Points Leader: Shawn Evans – 50 goals, 68 assists
Where are they?
The New England Black Wolves finished the season with a record of 10-8, good enough for the #2 seed in the East.
How’d they get here?
The Black Wolves were actually very consistent this year early on. That changed a little bit as the lost four out of their last six games.
What’s next?
First thing first for the Black Wolves is hosting the Georgia Swarm on Friday. The two teams are very evenly matched, each taking shots at each other through the regular season. New England won their last meeting 21-11, but head coach Glenn Clark was saying after their final game that the previous meeting might as well have never happened. They know they can’t rely on a similar performance and are gearing up for a true battle. A win there would send them on to face Buffalo in a two game series to decide the Eastern Champion.
For New England to be able to play games in June, they will need Shawn Evans to be 100%. Shawn Evans being 100% doesn’t mean that he has to score every goal, but it does mean that he needs to be a shooting and passing threat while playing his usual high-tempo physical style. He led the team in loose balls, making him the only forward in the league to do so. He was also second in the league in short-handed goals and since their penalty kill was the worst in the league, that can really matter in the playoffs.
Defensively, the Black Wolves were hit or miss through the season. They started out as one of the best units in the entire league. Evan Kirk played outstanding all year-long. He finished the season with the most saves and the second best save percentage in the league. When the defense is doing their job well, Kirk sees only the shots he wants. This is what they did in the second half against Georgia. He has the ability to make multiple outstanding saves when the defense shows a lapse, but no goalie can be expected to do that repeatedly. If the early season defense shows up, the Black Wolves have a great chance to push for the Cup.
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Calgary Roughnecks (8-10) at Colorado Mammoth (12-6)
When: 5/7/2016 – 9:00 pm ET
Where: Pepsi Center – Denver, Colorado
Watch: NLLtv.com, TSN GO, WatchESPN, Altitude2
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 3rd Seed in Western Conference
Points Leader: Curtis Dickson – 61 goals, 46 assists
Where are they?
The Calgary Roughnecks barely grasped the playoff berth in the final week, using one last win to hold off the Stealth for the #3 seed, making their 14th consecutive postseason appearance.
How’d they get here?
Losing 4 out of 5 overtime games was consistent discouragement through the regular season and it took until Week 18 to clinch in a must-win, Stealth must-lose scenario. More consistent goaltending helped guide them through the season’s second half. All in all, they got the better of every team but the Rush.
What’s next?
In the regular season, the Calgary Roughnecks dropped two of their three outings against the Colorado Mammoth, most recently on March 26th in a close, 13-12, battle. Now they head back to Denver on Saturday in attempt to punch their ticket to meet Saskatchewan in the West Finals. Colorado is an extremely complex team that has been resting and revamping over the past few weeks, knowing they had the home playoff game all locked up. To get the win this weekend, this is a game all 18 guys wearing the Red and Black are going to have to be a major part of, this can’t just be the Curtis Dickson show. That said, Dickson is averaging just a hair shy of 6 points per game, the team is built to fit perfectly in his backpack.
To be able to make a run at the Champion’s Cup they need Superman to stay at full-strength. His supporting cast of Shattler, Dobbie, Berg and Digby can all put the ball into the back of the net, but they’ve all shared they spotlight this season, delegating the scoring responsibilities each week. This was a huge perk through the season to keep defenses on their toes and not put too much pressure on any one shooter. The problem, is anyone ready to step up and dominate on Saturday against a team that has no problems getting looks?
I consistently called for the talents of Mike Poulin to take the starting job back from Frankie Scigliano in the early part of the season, then the Necks finally granted my wish. He was killing it until the last game on the 30th against Toronto but I still believe he’s the man for the job. The veteran heavy defense needs to step up on the deadly Mammoth shooters and clear the crease for the goalie to get a fair look. This is the fourth straight season and seventh of the last nine that the Roughnecks are matched up with the Mammoth in the first round, and the streak is at a clean 6-0, Calgary. These teams know each other almost too well.
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[mks_one_half]Standing: 2nd Seed in Western Conference
Points Leader: Callum Crawford – 32 goals, 83 assists
Where are they?
If there was a team to beat early on, it was the Colorado Mammoth, now 12-6. They secured their berth and home game weeks ago, but never could catch the elusive Rush.
How’d they get here?
Starting off 4-0, the Mammoth had a great start, middle and finish to the season. Some games in between lagged in offensive production, but it was apparent halfway through the season that they were making the postseason.
What’s next?
The Mammoth will host the Roughnecks on Saturday night in a matchup they know all too well. Pro: They’ve got the best of the Riggers two out of the three times they’ve seen them in 2016. Con: They’ve lost the last three years in a row to Calgary in the first round of the playoffs. It’s the tenth anniversary of Colorado’s first, and only, Champion’s Cup victory and it’s been a while since they even came close to the finals. Both teams are thick with veteran talent and the last two match-ups were one-goal games, it almost seems like Colorado is due for one at this point.
Assuming they all dress, Colorado brings the power trio of John Grant Jr., Adam Jones and Callum Crawford, and when they’re on, they’re on. Either one can carry the entire team, or distribute the wealth and if a defense over commits to playing all three, the floor is open for super sophomores Jeremy Noble and Eli McLaughlin to take the stage. Crawford has been the offseason move of the year, he’s dished out an insane 83 helpers and another 32 goals, the third highest points in the NLL.
I expect to see Dillon Ward take the crease, but they are always quick to exchange to test out Alex Buque. Curtis Dickson has charged the Mammoth for 18 points alone this season and Calgary was the team to hold Adam Jones out to his infamous shutout. They know how to get under the (I say this with love) old guys’ skin. Colorado plays a very slow, methodical game, it’s why the are at the bottom of the league in shots and ground balls yet still cruising to a 12-6 record. This starts with the defense slowing down the younger and more pushy Calgary group and getting the shooters on the floor.
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East Division Semifinal – Best of 1
Georgia Swarm (8-10) at New England Black Wolves (10-8)
When: 5/6/16 – 7 pm ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
East Division Finals – Best of 2 (mini-game if necessary)
Game 1
Buffalo Bandits (13-5) at Semi Winner
When: Between 5/13-5/15/16
Where: Semi Winner Home
Game 2
Semi Winner at Buffalo Bandits (13-5)
5/21/16 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: First Niagara Center – Buffalo, New York
Game 3 (10-Minutes)
Semi Winner at Buffalo Bandits (13-5)
5/21/16 – Immediately following Game 2
Where: First Niagara Center – Buffalo, New York
West Division Semifinal – Best of 1
Calgary Roughnecks (7-11) at Colorado Mammoth (12-6)
When: 5/7/16 – 9 pm ET
Where: Pepsi Center – Denver, Colorado
West Division Finals – Best of 2 (mini-game if necessary)
Game 1
Saskatchewan Rush (13-5) at Semi Winner
When: Between 5/13-5/15/16
Where: Semi Winner Home
Game 2
Semi Winner at Saskatchewan Rush (13-5)
When: 5/21 – 9:30 pm ET
Where: SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Game 3 (10-Minutes)
Semi Winner at Saskatchewan Rush (13-5)
When: 5/21 – Immediately following Game 2
Where: SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Champion’s Cup Finals – Best of 3
Game 1: Weekend of May 27-29th – at higher seed
Game 2: Weekend of June 3-5th – at lower seed
Game 3: Weekend of June 10-12th – at higher seed (if necessary)