Don’t get comfortable in the East

April 11th, 2008 by Bob Chavez

Take a good look at the National Lacrosse League standings for the East Division before you head home from work today because by the time you get back on Monday, it could be a whole new story.

The top four teams are separated by just 1.5 games in the standings and not only do all four teams play, but the Philadelphia Wings and Minnesota Swarm are itchin’ to get at it in a battle for sole possession of first place. Both squads are 8-4 today and beyond the beauty of this showdown in itself, there are some downright awesome stories within the story. First, we’ve got a solid Philly team that can destroy when on its home turf, but struggles on the road. So before the Wings even set foot in the X on Saturday, they’ve got a road game Friday night in Portland to deal get through. Philly’s 7-0 at home, but 1-4 on the road, so which Philly team’s gonna be boarding that flight out of the City of Brotherly Love this weekend?

Within all of that, we have Philly’s Athan Iannucci chasing down Gary Gait’s single-season goals record. Dude’s just seven goals shy and now it’s not a question of if he’s gonna break the record, but when. For the Swarm, they’re gonna be out for revenge against Philly. Way back in February, Minny hung tight with the Wings for three quarters in Philly, but fell apart in the fourth when Philly blew up for 11 goals in the fourth quarter of a 17-8 win. Don’t think for a second that the Swarm have forgotten that debacle.

The stakes for both clubs are obvious, but we can’t overlook what else is goin’ on in the East. Buffalo’s just half a game out of first place and plays rival Rochester Saturday night and could gain some valuable ground with a win, but the tilt’s in Rochester’s barn. Toronto, meanwhile, is 1.5 games out of first and can also make up some ground by beating their visitors from Chicago.

It’s time to buckle up in the East Division, but not too tightly. There’s bound to be some teams switchin’ seats in the standings once the dust settles from this weekend.

Stealth can clinch playoff berth with win: SJStealth.com
Grant hosting a ProSkills camp in Rochester: Knighthawks.net
LumberJax holding on to playoff dreams: The Oregonian
Sale of Swarm is finalized: National Post
Last day to vote for Brooke or Ashley: NLLInsider.com
Sign up for the NLL Offensive Challenge: WingsZone.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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