Cutting-edge NLL and boxla coverage
So, not too often is there an opportunity to cover the entire spectrum of lacrosse on one day, but tomorrow represents just that opportunity.
Here is how a lot of the members of the Krew that are not in Chicago already are spending the day.
11:30 a.m.: Strap on the gear that is still frozen from being in the trunk since last week, aka Pre-Game Perk-up.
Ted Jenner said it best: “I gotta make a major run eh…?”
Paulie Tuts did it last week and put himself right back in the mix, but Kojima and Ward are officially separating themselves from the pack, and the young ‘un has the momentum.
Here are this week’s games:
Friday
NY @ PHI (-3.5)
Saturday
CAL @ TOR (-1.5)
PHI (-2.5) @ BUF
ROC (-2.5) @ CHI
EDM @ POR (-2.5)
Picks and comments after the jump.
READ MORE »
Just over a week after Bob Hamley took over the reins as the Edmonton Rush’s new GM and Head Coach, he’s made his first trade, bringing in forward Brenden Thenhaus via a deal with the Philadelphia Wings.
Hamley sent a conditional second (or third depending on games logged by Thenhaus) round pick in this year’s draft the other way.
Thenhaus is best known for being a huge piece of the puzzle for the Oakville Buzz, one of Ontario’s most successful junior B clubs in recent years. He spent this past summer with the Brampton Excelsiors JR A team, finishing third in scoring behind Dylan Evans and Ryan Campbell, a likely high draft pick in the 2008 Entry Draft.
Brendan won the Founders Cup; the team hardware handed out to Canada’s best junior B club each summer, in 2006 and has been considered by many as a prospect that just needs to find the right fit in order to flourish in the NLL. READ MORE »
We all know and love our game, but it’s inevitable that at some point, we have to explain it to some newbie. You know the questions you get …. “That’s the game where they swing the sticks like crazy, right?” … “Is it hard to catch the ball in the net?” …. “Why does the goalie look like the Michelin Man?” On and on it goes, and while it’s cool to share your joy of the game with someone new, some of the questions make ya wonder.
And then, once in a while, you run into someone who offers their take after seeing a game for the first time. This is where blogger Steven Wells comes into the picture. (Speaking of, the blank mug you see here is the one he provides on his blog.) Writing for the The Guardian in England (that’s on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Jenner), Wells offers some hilarious insight from his first game, a Philadelphia Wings game, no less.
Some exerpts from the man who writes, “I might have just discovered the most passionate sport in the US:”
Friends, I would like to make an apology. If I have ever given the impression that all US sports fans are passive, pampered, bovine, weak-beer-sipping, consumerist couch potatoes made soft, flabby and lazy by decades of mind-numbing, rah-rah and blah-blah sterilized “family entertainment” and lowest-common-denominator saturation advertising, I’m sorry.
I’d never been to an indoor lacrosse game before.
Another sampling …
Dude, this is punk. It’s sportz metal. Up on the massive Jumbotron screen a horribly dead-eyed Canadian thug called Seth or Shawn or Jason or Taylor is babbling some half-baked but obviously sincere kill-or-be-killed Nietzschian superman codswallop in a psychopathic monotone over a gabba re-mix of a Linkin Park headbanger.
It’s great stuff. It’ll make you laugh, nod in agreement and maybe even leave a note for the chap, welcoming him to the lacrosse family.
Since I got a ton of emails from readers this week about certain guys starting (and I’m not complaining, thanks for the emails guys, keep ‘em coming), mainly to help give ‘em an edge in their NLL Fantasy league, just wanted to go over what I wrote back to most of them since it was a pretty hot topic.
It’s tough to know who’s always gonna be starting from week-to-week in the NLL, for a couple reasons.
Although there’s a few of us at NLL Insider that try to stay in the loop with every single team in the league, whether that be through a coach, GM, player or really any team official, not all teams in this league like to show all their cards leading up to game day. READ MORE »
You waited and waited and now, it’s time.
Saturday’s Face-Off Classic in Baltimore is all set for a noon start, pitting Syracuse (2-0) against Virginia (3-0) at noon, followed by Johns Hopkins (1-0) against Princeton (1-0) at 2:30 p.m. The count is up to 15,000 tickets sold, but you’ve still got time to buy yours. Go to faceoffclassic.com, Ticketmaster, or call the Baltimore Ravens box office at (410) 261-RAVE to get yours. Prices range from $10 to $25.
The weather forecast hasn’t changed, so don’t forget to pack your favorite hoodie and catch some fantastic lacrosse at M&T Bank Stadium.
To get yourself ready for the afternoon, check out all the preview stuff at Inside Lacrosse, including an update on Virginia’s Ben Rubeor, a Tewaaraton Finalist last year, who says his knee is feeling better and expects to play.
Buffalo defender Billy Dee Smith will once again have the opportunity to play this weekend, with a hearing for his actions stemming from a February 15th incident still being organized.
Smith had made contact with a game official during a heated exchange with Toronto Rock forward Blaine Manning and is looking at a five game suspension for his actions.
The league, the PLPA and all parties involved will likely meet sometime next week for the hearing.
Many close to the situation believe Smith’s five game suspension will be reduced, but definitely expect to see Smith in the lineup this weekend when Buffalo plays heated rival Philly tomorrow night.
Another lengthy suspenion was handed down yesterday evening to Calgary Roughneck’s vet defender Kyle Couling (three games) for his hit from behind on Colorado Mammoth forward Gavin Prout. READ MORE »
When everything in your life is going so perfectly smooth and the world seems to be your oyster, isn’t it always the case that somehow, someway, something happens that causes everyone to look at you a little differently?
Now who knows, it may have been bad timing, a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or a butterfly may have flapped its wings a few times over in Thailand and started a downward spiral of events but, in this case I really wish somebody would have grabbed that butterfly and ripped its wings rights off. Anything in order to avoid the unfortunate series of events that affected so many people in so many ways.
March 2006: The Duke lacrosse team’s accusations of being rapists were so far outta left field that people were like, “Wow, maybe it could be true?” Sure, for a time I was one of those people, and was constantly watching CNN for the latest updates. However, having been a part of the NCAA college scene, I know a lot of crazy sh*t happens and parties do get out of hand, but this just seemed way too out there!
Kinda stunned when you heard Kaleb Toth wasn’t on the bench for the Roughnecks last weekend?
Me too. And so was Toth.
There’s been a ton of speculation in the days since Calgary coach Troy Cordingley kept Toth on the bench for what would become a 12-9 victory over the Colorado Mammoth last Sunday. Some said dude was uber-pissed, some said he took it in stride. Fans are taking sides, praising Cordingley for not playing favorites, while others blast the boss of the Riggers for having the audacity to bench the fella who essentially has been the face of the franchise since its inception.
“It pretty much sent a message that it doesn’t matter who you are, if you’re not performing, you’re not going to play,” Toth told The Calgary Herald. “Whether people agree with it or not, it’s the coach’s decision and I respected it and my teammates respected it. Next game, if I get in, I’ve just got to try and play hard and not get pulled out again.”
Never thought I’d hear Toth utter the phrase “if I get in,” but the Roughnecks are in for a challenge Saturday night against the Rock in Toronto. Should Toth play, there’s a chance that Tracey Kelusky and Steve Dietrich will be back as well. Both have missed games with injuries, but The Herald is reporting that “there’s a chance they’ll be in the lineup Saturday in Toronto.”
OK, I’m jumping the gun but I’ve got the attention of all you pissed off Wings fans.
I’m convinced that Philadelphia is a legitimate contender for the Champion’s Cup. While there is no doubt they have earned the right to be the No. 1 team on the Power Rankings, it’s a little to early to consider them - or any team - as a favorite to win it all. A lot can happen between now and May.
It’s tough to get a handle on the league’s true scoring leader most years.
With early and multiple bye weeks, some teams playing twice in a weekend and a home and away sked that can sometimes be as unbalanced as “famed” and “respected” actor Gary Busey’s sanity (fyi if you’re 11 and ever near Busey, turn the other way and run), like I said, hard to know exactly who’s leading the charts. READ MORE »
Another tough week for our Dance Team Pick’em participants. Many of our ladies put their money behind Rochester in their matchup with New York last week, but a Titans’ upset put almost all our dancers at 3-3 or a 2-4 record for the week. One dance, Emily from the Philadelphia Angels, went with the Titans, and that has made her the overall percentage leader as well as the most wins picked leader. I don’t think Allison from the Minnesota Performance Team, who had been the leader up until this point, will be too happy. But, remember folks, this is a friendly competition here. Picks will start heat up and fluctuate as we round the halfway point of the season and head into a tough second half.
Here, now, are your Week 10 picks: READ MORE »
Week 10 of the season recognizes the NLL’s Hall of Fame Class of 2008. The week also features five games, one on Friday and four Saturday night.
Schedule (All times Eastern)
Friday, February 29
New York at Philadelphia - 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 1
Calgary at Toronto - 7:00 PM
Philadelphia at Buffalo - 7:30 PM
Rochester at Chicago - 8:00 PM
Edmonton at Portland - 10:30 PM
Game previews after the jump. READ MORE »
With just five games on tap for the weekend, it looks like the only game some of us will be able to catch on TV is the Calgary at Toronto matchup Saturday night. Should be a good matchup as both are running middle of the pack in their respective divisions, with the Riggers bringing a 3-5 mark to play the 4-3 Rock.
Now here’s the confusing part: How to figure out Canadian TV. The game’s scheduled to be broadcast on Rogers SportsNet Ontario. Apparently, though, this is a regional thing with a few different channels and there is the possiblity that you can view the game if you’re outside the Ontario region. Still confused myself, I did what any American would do: I asked someone else to figure it out for me.
And here’s what colleague Paul Tutka had to say: The game will be live to viewers in Ontario on SportsNet and live to the rest of Canada via SportsNet Ontario depending on the digital cable or satellite package that you have. If you’re still not sure what’s going on, says Tuts, check out the SportsNet Web site to see what’s up.
Tonight is big night for four very deserving men.
Sal LoCasio, Johnny Mouradian and Tony Resch will be inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame, while my colleague at The Canadian Press - Neil Stevens - will be honored for all his hard work and column inches of print covering the league over the years.
Personally, I’ve not spoken to Sal or Tony during my time covering the NLL but Johnny has always treated me with great respect and made himself available to talk shop or provide quotes whenever I called.
And while some may feel media folk deserve no honor associated with the Hall, trying to convince editors that the NLL deserves main-stream coverage and fighting for it, as Neil did, is often tougher than dropping the mitts with Geoff Snider or trying to go one-on-one with Brodie Merrill.
Tonight marks the third year of Hall-of-Fame festivities for the league. So, time for a quick history lesson. Skip ahead if you already know all this.
In 2006, the inaugural and likely greatest-ever-when-all-is-said-and-done class was inducted. Gary and Paul Gait were joined by Russ Cline, Chris Fritz and the late Les Bartley as the league finally formed a shrine to honor the greatest players, coaches, builders and, to a lesser extent of course, media who helped shape the league and make it what it is today.
Last year, Darris Kilgour, Tom Marechek and Mike French joined the list along with another scribe, Tom Borelli of the Buffalo News. READ MORE »
So are The Money Ballers makin’ any sense now?
I know there was a bit of concern if this system would actually spit out the year’s top clutch scorers, but from lookin’ at our weekly top 15, at least for me, it’s tough to argue with who’s on there.
Ryan Ward and Craig Point still sit one and two. Yeah, they didn’t pick up many points this past weekend after getting snowed by Philly in the fourth, but just look at the amount of tying or go ahead goals these two studs have tossed back this year! The two have factored in on almost 20 goals each for the Swarm on goals that have either knotted things up or put Minny ahead. To me, those markers are as good as cold hard cash in the NLL, right? Isn’ that almost the defintion of what a clutch scorer is? A guy that has his stick on goals that are deciding the direction of a game? Many times being the ultimate decider in a game? READ MORE »
Just two days are left before the first whistle of the 2008 Face-Off Classic in Baltimore and judging by ticket sales, it’s gonna be THE place to be on Saturday.
The Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic presented by The Baltimore Sun is set for Saturday. Virginia (3-0) plays Syracuse (2-0) at noon, followed by Johns Hopkins (1-0) against Princeton (1-0) at 2:30. At least 14,000 tickets have been sold already for this incredible double-header. The tradition and excellence related to all four programs on the bill are common knowledge but for those of you who can’t get enough, check out the pile of stories, videos and previews over at InsideLacrosse.com to get you ready for the weekend.
And in case you’re wondering what to wear, bundle up. Sun is in the forecast, but temps are supposed to be in the mid 40s.
Tickets range from $10 (for groups) to $15 to $25. Order them today at faceoffclassic.com, Ticketmaster, or call the Baltimore Ravens box office at (410) 261-RAVE.
Unless Casey Powell doesn’t like winning games or being recognized by lacrosse peers, he really can’t complain this week. He should be sportin’ a huge sort of smile wherever he goes.
Check it: His 9-point night on Saturday helps the New York Titans embarrass the Knighthawks in Rochester. Wednesday morning, he’s named NLL Player of the Week and later that same day, he’s named an All-Star reserve for the East. Even sweeter, he’ll see brother Ryan Powell of the Portland Lumberjax at the March 16 game in Edmonton because Ryan was named an All-Star reserve for the West.
Not too shabby for a fella who a few short years ago took a lot of heat for not dominating the box the way he did on the field during his time at Syracuse. We all know the box and the field are two different games. Some make the transition better than others, some quicker than others. But as we watch the NLL today, there’s no question CP has found a groove for the indoor game that’s making teams pay attention to him. ‘Cause if they don’t, they’ll pay.
“His power play and five-on-five work speaks for itself, but he is also playing well on the face-off line and on defense when it presents itself,” says Titans coach Adam Mueller. “Teams seem to be focusing on him a bit more this season and he is learning to change with the defenses presented to be a major factor in our games.”
CP’s 48 points is second only to John Tavares in the league. His 19 goals rank seventh overall and his 29 assists are third.
To check out the rest of the All-Star reserves named, click here.
After the Lumberjax suffered an acute case of the dreaded sophomore slump, the ‘07 offseason became dedicated to finding an answer to the Portland faithful’s prayers. Enter the all-star, all-pro, all-excellent Dan Dawson. With the Jax on the upswing looking for their fourth win of the season, Dawson discusses team chemistry, the Portland Canadian embassy, and his goalie-turned-defenseman younger brother Paul.
The Jax got off to a bit of a rough start this season. What were you guys struggling with in those early games?
I think confidence and chemistry were the two biggest downfalls we had early on in the season. There’s a lot of new guys on the team and I didn’t think the chemistry was there in the beginning, like you said we got off to an extremely slow start. In a few games versus Colorado and Minnesota where we lost in overtime I think we were just happy to be in those games, we didn’t really believe we could win them. I think that last weekend versus a great Calgary team the confidence was there, and with every win we have it’s getting higher and higher. If you’re not confident you’re not going to be successful in this league.
READ MORE »
Regret is such a strong word, but after going under .500 for the first time this fantasy season, I’ve got a little.
Mostly that I’ve lost 3, and only won 2, but hey, things could always be worse - I could be in Shanny’s position at (0-5).
But digressing, I still think I’ve got a pretty solid team. However, after the loss to John Jiloty’s little people - his team name is the Gary Colemans - I wish I could just jump in the DeLorean, crank it up to 88, and make some beneficial draft moves.
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