NLL playoff push shifts into gear

April 2nd, 2008 by Bob Chavez

I’m sittin’ here staring at the National Lacrosse League standings and all I can hear in my head is the classic voice of ABC Football’s Keith Jackson and his “Whooooaaa Nellie!” call.

Friends, we got ourselves one hell of a playoff push comin’ down the stretch. And it means even more now since the NLL announced the playoff schedule, capped by the Champion’s Cup weekend on May 16-18. Don’t you dare miss it.

Ain’t it amazing what a few short weeks will do? It wasn’t that long ago that Philadelphia was 6-0 with the pedal to the metal in the East Division. Can’t forget that Minnesota was also sportin’ a 6-0 mark. So what’s goin’ on now? Well, Philly’s lost 3 of its last 4 and Minny’s lost 4 of its last 5. Meanwhile, Buffalo’s won 4 of its last 6 and Toronto’s won 4 of its last 5, which includes a pair over the Bandits, to create one helluva mess in the East. What kinda mess? Well, your top 4 teams in the East are all within one game of each other, with the defending champion Rochester Knighthawks in sixth place and in real danger of not qualifying to defend its title. Buckle up, East Division!

Out West, it’s just as intense but there are two clubs that can lock up a playoff berth this weekend. The Colorado Mammoth once were 5-0, but have since proved to be mortal and are 6-4. Still, they’re in first place and can clinch a playoff berth by beating either Rochester on Thursday or Buffalo (in Buffalo) on Saturday. Half a game behind the Mammoth are the San Jose Stealth, which can clinch a second playoff spot in the West should it sweep its home-and-home series with the Portland LumberJax.

We’ve got 9 games on tap this weekend, with more than a couple carrying big, big ramifications. You know it and our boys know it. So in keeping with the theme started in this here missive, we’ll cue the audio of boxing referee turned TV courtroom judge Mills Lane and … “Let’s get it on!”

Tutka’s Armchair QB for Week 14: NLLInsider.com
Take the NLL Offensive Challenge: WingsZone.com
Caelee or Erin … who is your pick? NLLInsider.com

Chavez is an avid lacrosse player in Rochester and a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle as well as a longtime Inside Lacrosse contributor. Email him at bob.chavez@nllinsider.com or go to RochesterSports.com.

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