NLL Insider

There’s been some controversy about the Divisional Alignment this season in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). It stems from the Eastern Division not only having two more teams than the West with seven, but the East is also sporting better records. Two of four playoff teams out West will make the post-season this year with records below .500.

“From our perspective, we don’t have an issue with it,” responded Toronto head coach Glenn Clark on an earlier media call, in response to a question that feels like it’s been asked since week six. “We need to be one of the top four teams in the East, and that’s what our challenge is.”

“We got into the playoffs last year in the East with a sub-par (6-10) record… In order to get where we want to go we have to get through the teams in the East and qualify for the playoffs. It’s not even something that’s on our radar.”

“As Glenn indicated, they have to go through their division,” added George Daniel, NLL Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. “We at the National Lacrosse League have an Eastern and Western Division. This is our fifth season with the current format. It’s reviewed every year by our board of governors and this season was no different.”

“In total, it’s been a system I think the owners feel works well. It establishes rivalries and allows us to better plan logistics… and turn around times in terms of organized travel.”

“The idea here is to crown a champion,” added Daniel. “I don’t think anyone will argue that you’ve got to be one of the best four teams in your Division to be the best team in the NLL. As Glenn also indicated, it bounces back and forth from year to year… In the last four years that we’ve had a championship it’s been split down the middle; the East has won twice and the West has won twice.”

“At this point we feel it is best to crown an Eastern Champion and a Western Champion and have them meet in the final,” concluded Daniel.

“It’s a pretty simple equation for us,” added Clark. “With two games left, if we want to make the playoffs, at a minimum we have to win our next two games.”

Toronto isn’t the only team needing wins this weekend.

All 12 NLL teams are still in the post-season picture and have an opportunity to be in the playoffs, as we head into the second last weekend of the NLL’s 18 Week regular season schedule.

The 2008 NLL playoffs will begin the first weekend of May. In single-elimination format, you’ll see four Divisional Semi-finals (May 2-4), two Divisional Finals (May 9-11) and the Championship Game the weekend of May 16-18.

“We’re still in negotiations. I can’t comment, but we have something in the works for the Championship Game,” added Daniel on the possibility of T.V. coverage nationally. 

Divisional Semi-Final and Divisional Finals will see some television coverage regionally. All regular season and playoff games can also be seen live online with B2 Networks.

Rate This Story:

(12 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)

 Loading ...