NLL Insider

The last two weeks of National Lacrosse League action have produced some stunning upsets. Just when you think the playoff picture has taken shape, some results occur that tosses reasonable logic aside and casts a whole new light on what may happen in the race to the postseason.  The trades that took place over the past couple of weeks seemed to have a significant impact on recent results but more than anything, it comes down to goaltending.

Given the number of variables that can possibly affect the outcome of any NLL game, it may be hard to believe that goaltending alone can be such a major determining factor in wins and losses. After the past two weeks of critical action however, I continue to be convinced that goaltending is the number one component of a successful team.

Let’s take a look at the results of the last two weeks’ games to measure the value of some teams’ goaltending and how it affects game results. Philly took a pounding in their last two games allowing 20 goals against in each. Rob Blasdell’s save percentage numbers were horrible over both games and trade acquisition Brandon Miller was well below average when he replaced Blazer for the last three periods or so of the Rochester game. This is not to say the entire burden for losses should rest on the shoulders of the goaltenders but their game-to-game performances do seem to impact the overall team performance more than any other singular factor.

The Chicago Shamrox were all but given up for dead prior to the arrival of Matt Roik. The last two weeks they are 2-0 with wins over Minnesota and Rochester and have allowed an average of only 10.5 goals against.  The Toronto Rock were staggering along with fading playoff hopes but lately have ridden the stellar play of perennial stalwart Bob Watson to get themselves back up with the division leaders. Watson has been extremely stingy lately, allowing a meager total of 18 goals against over the last two games.

Edmonton handed the No. 1 spot to Curtis Palidwor when Bob Hamley took over the coaching reins and Palidwor has responded by turning in ’04 Championship MVP numbers to lead the Rush on their current run to catch a playoff spot in the West. It’s interesting to note that the Rush now employ the goaltending tandem of Palidwor and Matt King , who just happened to be the pair that took their provincial rival Calgary Roughnecks to the NLL title in 2004.

Speaking of Calgary, the Roughnecks have to be anxious to get Steve Dietrich back between the pipes for their last four regular season games, three of which are against the Rush and that former Roughneck championship goalie pairing. It will be interesting though to see if Dietrich can regain his old form given he hasn’t played a full season since 2002 and has to travel from the east for all four games. However, if Chugger can get back in the groove and Kelusky, Couling et al are back in the lineup, the Roughies could turn things around quickly. Next week’s first of the three game series against the Rush should be a great watch.

For my money, the team that has the best goalie tandem in the league is the San Jose Stealth. Yet, in the past two weeks they’re only 1-1 and have allowed 12 goals against in each game. It’s not bad and was enough to win the first one in the past two weeks but in the second week against Edmonton they ran into an emotionally charged Rush team and Palidwor who limited them to a mere 5 goals.

So, looking down the road, I’ve got to believe the story behind this year’s ultimate champion will include, as it usually does, the tale of an outstanding goaltending performance. There are quite a few individuals who can win a game in this league single handedly for you at any time but in the playoffs they have to do it three times in a row.  Taking a look at the save percentage statistics will give you a pretty good idea of who the main individual contenders are or which team has the strongest goalie pairing.

I’m hard-pressed to believe a team can win the title without someone or some pair in the top statistical grouping. When it comes to the championship, goalies will be gold.

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