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Pro Lacrosse Transitions Coming in 2018
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Pro Lacrosse Transitions Coming in 2018

If you’ve been following the NLL over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed how uniquely silly this pro lacrosse playoff format was.

Keyword: was.

You see, if you won the one-game first round, you moved to the best-of-two division finals. Yes, a two-round playoff series, kind of like MLS soccer. But, instead of an aggregate scoring system, if they split the wins, the teams went immediately into a 10 minute “mini game” at the end of regulation.

Weird, right? Well it only happened 5 times, and none of those times were that favored by players or fans. So, let’s save the money and crank up the intensity! No more mini games because were going back to a one and done division finals. The playoffs get shorter by a week and the action gets ratcheted up.

Here’s the simple format we’re going back to for the 2017-18 playoffs:

Division Semifinal – 1 game, single game elimination

Division Final – 1 game, single game elimination

Champion’s Cup – Best of three series

Those aren’t the only changes, and we’ve included a must-read on the new rules that below. We’re going to see a much different look to each NLL roster with legends like Curtis Hodgson, Chad Culp, Rob Marshall, Anthony Cosmo, Karsen Leung, Brett Bucktooth, John Grant Jr., and Mitch Belisle all walking away this offseason.

New rules, new faces, and two new teams on the horizon. And that’s just the NLL. You’ll have to check out Conwell’s thoughts on what’s changed in the MLL too!

In the meantime, spin these tunes and get clickin’!

Track Recommendation:

“New Rules” by Dua Lipa

New Rules… get it?! Plus, the beat is something serious.

Crosse Clicks 11/03/2017

This week’s top Lacrosse All Stars stories:

2018 Lacrosse Preview: Pro, College, International

Rare Breed: Devon Wills, G.O.A.T. of Goaltending

Rangers Back-to-Back Wins Capture Cup, Nationals Ahead – IBLA Week 12

No Offseason for MLL – Player Movement, Rumors, Security + MORE!

Dave Pietramala Suiting Up with Paul Rabil

ANTHONY COSMO, NLL’S ALL-TIME SAVES LEADER, RETIRES AFTER 17 SEASONS (Lax Magazine)
“Goalie Anthony Cosmo, the National Lacrosse League’s all-time leader with 7,222 career saves, announced his retirement Friday after 17 seasons playing pro lacrosse.”

NLL Rule Changes 2018 (NLL Chatter)
Graeme Perrow goes in deep on the new rules changes for 2018 by literally putting the new and old rulebooks side-by-side and finding the difference. Talk about a thorough investigation!

The Kid, The Lacrosse Player (Denver Outlaws)
An 11 year old Denver City Lax player found his way to the 2017 MLL Championship Game and beat cancer along the way.

LOCAL ROUNDUP: AC to add field hockey, men’s lacrosse to athletic program (Meadville Tribune)
2020 watch out the Gators will be in action! “We are very excited to add field hockey and men’s lacrosse to Allegheny’s athletic program,” Allegheny College President Dr. James H. Mullen, Jr said in a press release.

Providence Unveils 2018 Schedule (College Crosse)
The IBLA season will finally come to a wrap this coming weekend in Denver. Check out all the latest, and who’s at the top!

Wow, I Just Got Traded to New York (MLL.com)
The Hounds traded faceoff specialist Brendan Fowler to the New York Lizards in exchange for midfielder Jacob Richard. Fowler will not only be saddled with the responsibility of replacing one of the game’s legends in Greg Gurenlian, but the Long Island native will be coming home to play in front of family and friends.

KNIGHTHAWK’S MOVEMBER CONTEST TO BENEFIT GILDA’S CLUB (NLL.com)
NLLers from Rochester are growing out the staches for a worthy cause. This year, it will be the Grizzled Veterans against the Fresh New Faces, as players with five-plus years of experience will try to out-fundraise the youngsters on the club.

Secret’s Out on Multi-Talented Ohio State Commit Eli Ensor (Inside Lacrosse)
On the guitar or with a lacrosse stick, this kid has some magic hands. We can’t wave for the next wave of lacrosse talent.

This Insane Through-the-Legs Lacrosse Goal Just May Make You Interested in Lacrosse (GQ)
It never gets old, but the article to go along with Tehoka’s amazing 1 handed whatever you wanna call that shot, is quite interesting. Goals like this deserve to be replayed!

Lasagna: 28 Gut-Punching Characters (Inside Lacrosse)
“It’s Friday night. The conclusion to the third week of classes and the evening that captains invite their peers out to the field for an “open lacrosse” scrimmage. Atsap’s Android buzzes with one of his senior’s caller ID. A recap of the energized run under the lights, perhaps? Sort of — 28 gut-punching characters. Coach, Cito might have torn his ACL.”

Chazz Woodson MLL Highlights (MLL via Youtube)
Friday Feels to the max! Diving back to ’13!