NLL Insider

With playoffs approaching and each league heading into crunch time, this weekend is definitely what you’d call crucial. We’ll be previewing the one game from each league you won’t want to miss, and two of those games? They fall on our man Friday.

Ontario Jr. A

Orangeville Northmen @ Brampton Excelsiors
Friday July 4, 8:00 pm EST, Memorial Arena
The 16-2 and first place Northmen haven’t had many downsides to their 2008 campaign. But if they had to choose one, it would likely be their devastating 7-5 come-from-behind loss to the eighth place Excelsiors on June 15. Heading into the third and final period with a 5-3 lead, Brampton’s Dylan Evans netted his second of the game five minutes in. The momentum shifted in favor of the visiting underdog and never swung back. With less than seven minutes in regulation and trailing by a single score, Cameron Flint took over the game with the game tying goal, assisted the eventual game winner and found the back of the net once more to lift the Excelsiors to a stunning two goal victory. Not to mention, all three Brampton scores in the final period were man up. However, much to the Excelsiors dismay, their home record is a pathetic 2-6 relative to their impressive 5-2-1 record on the road. Regardless, whether at home or on the road, the Excelsiors have high hopes of adding another unfortunate chapter to the Northmens near flawless season.

WLA

Victoria Shamrocks @ Burnaby Lakers
Friday July 4, 7:45 pm PST, B. Copeland Arena
As New West continues their reign as the top team in the WLA, a win couldn’t be any more crucial than for both Victoria and Burnaby. With both clubs sitting smack-dab in the middle of the league, a loss here could potentially put either clubs’ season six feet under. A win for the Shamrocks will boost them into a second place tie with Coquitlam, a win for the Lakers and they’ll still be sitting firmly in fourth. Even with the top player in points and assists, Rory McDade (42 points and 31 assists), the Lakers inconsistent offense ranks fifth in the league with 98 goals thus far. However, in only six games Cam Sedgwick has averaged over four ppg (17 goals, 8 assists), bringing some light to an occasionally lifeless attack. If the Shamrocks have any hopes of a much needed road victory they’ll need goalie Nick Patterson and his second best save percentage in the WLA, .838, to step up big like he’s done all season.

Check back tomorrow for the scoop on what’s up for Saturday and Sunday.

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