MLL Stock Report is a week by week look at several of the stand out units, players, and moments in Major League Lacrosse, as well as a few things that stood out in the negative. Grades are given like stocks are traded with ratings on a scale of +/- 10.
I’m putting the spotlight on the things that stood out throughout the weekends match ups as well as giving you some bets for the upcoming weekend. It’s all for fun. I like betting, I’m just not a big gambler. There’s a difference!
Week 1 – MLL Stock Report
+9.1 – 5 Hour Energy: The lizards looked a little sloppy early in this game but once the Beast got rolling they wore down Rochester like my kids do my patience. The 4th quarter the Rattlers could hardly get a possession and the tide slowly turned. If you watched this game you can’t possibly question why Beast is the reigning MVP.
+8.7 – New Faces, New Places: A lot of guys changed teams this offseason and they had a huge impact with their new team in the opening week. Kevin Rice had 6 goals and an assist for Atlanta, Owen Blye had 4 goals for Florida, Mark Cockerton had 4 goals for Ohio, and Colin Dunster had 3 goals for Charlotte. Ned Crotty returned to Rochester and had 4 assists, including a beauty of a lefty cross crease pass. Even my personal antagonist Eric O’Brien had a big day at the X for Atlanta going 18-31. Rice was Mr. Everything for Atlanta early and he looks like he could have a special season.
+7.8 – Behind The Back: Its becoming more and more common in today’s game. A player improves his angle with a perfectly timed and placed behind the back shot. It happens so often today that we almost don’t understand the skill and work it takes to make it happen. It’s one of the more eloquent shots in the game.
+7.3 – The BK Effect: Brian Karalunas has had a certain effect on the Machine defense that’s hard to describe unless you’ve talked to the players and seen it in person. He is a leader on and off the field for them. His yard saled Daniel Epp, picked up the ball and sparked transition in a beautiful 6 second play.
+6.8 – Cupid: I have always been an Alex Love fan so this one shows some personal bias but did you watch him shoot? He plays differently than anyone else I’ve ever watched, but take a second and watch him shoot his arrows and you’ll understand why I was pumped when he made it to the MLL. Here Patrick McEwen aka @laxfilmroom shows you what Love did week 1.
+4.5 – Whiteboards: Many very subtle half time adjustments were made during games this weekend and it showed. Teams were able to change how they attacked in the 2nd half of games and got a lot more quality looks.
+2.2 – Broadcasting: I have to give credit to LSN I watched both games live on the network and enjoyed them very much. The picture was clean and there was almost no technical problems. Far and away worth the small fee they charge. Bravo!
-0.6 – Long 1’s: Only two 2-point goals were scored this past weekend. Paul Rabil hit one and Kyle Harrison hit the other. Lacrosse players don’t have the luxury of the step back shot that NBA players do but far too many shots are taken just inches inside the line.
-1.0 – The First Season: The Lizard’s announcers pointed out that this is the 1st season where rosters will greatly change in the upcoming weeks. It’s too bad we treat it that way. People waiting for full rosters to watch will miss out on some great lacrosse.
-6.4 – Missed Opportunity: Boston, Atlanta, and Rochester all blew 3+ goal leads. It’s a game of runs and things happen but all the players on those teams have to be disappointed in the outcome. Being 0-1 isn’t the end of the world but it’s never going to be as good as 1-0.
-8.9 – Yo, DJ: I am not sure who plays the goal celebration music at the Florida Launch games but he/she shouldn’t. I’m sorry, but just because it’s a popular song doesn’t mean it fits after a goal. God I miss the hockey horn. It shows how great a 1st week it was that this is my biggest MLL Stock Report complaint, but come on man, give us something good.
MLL Stock Report – Week 2 Locks:
Scoring to go down: We saw 121 total goals scored in week 1. Its takes longer for defenses to gel at this level. Plus the Lizards have a bye week. I’d say over under on goals this weekend is 112.5
The impact of the week 1 bye: Ohio has a game under its belt and got a win. Denver has not played yet. Having played a game already gives the Machine a big advantage here. I’d favor them by 2.5 goals in Denver.
Old friends battling: Atlanta looked a lot like Boston lite last week and they should. They have several players from last year’s Boston team and last year’s coach. Now they play Boston, both teams lost very disappointing games in week 1. This one has the makings of a slug fest. This game is a pick ’em in my book and I’d bet the game is decided by 2 goals or less.
Got something you think I missed? Hit me up in the comments! I’ll be back next week with another MLL Stock Report. Stay tuned!
