NLL Insider

With only the Edmonton Miners and Calgary Mountaineers having secured their spots in the Minto Cup so far, this weekend could mean big things for the top teams in Ontario and B.C. Not only are the Orangeville Northmen and Burnaby Lakers just one win away from booking their tickets to Calgary, but Peterborough and Brampton continue their battle to see who will host the Mann while Coquitlam and Burnaby Sr. will duke it out to see who will get one step closer to a trip to Ontario. We’re getting down to don’t-blink time in summer ball, so for a quick look at who plays where tonight and for how many marbles, keep reading.

Victoria Shamrocks @ Burnaby Lakers, Saturday Aug. 16, 5:00 PM PST, Bill Copeland Arena

The Burnaby Lakers are currently in control of their B.C. final series, having won the last two in overtime after dropping game one 5-4. While a 2-1 deficit may not be reason for an Ontario team to panic, in B.C. where they operate on a best-of-five basis the Victoria Shamrocks will be fighting for their playoff lives tonight. With Burnaby’s Alex Gajic, Dane Stevens, Shaun Dhaliwal and Michael Pires comprising the top four in playoff scoring, it will be up to Matt Flindell to keep working his magic for the Shamrocks. With a save percentage of 87.07% and a GAA of 5.37, he currently sits in third on the post-season goaltender leaderboard. The only two above him are Coquitlam’s Chris Seidel—who only played two games—and wouldn’t you know it, Burnaby’s trade deadline pick-up Scott Lowe with a save percentage of 88.51% and a GAA of 4.69. If you’re anywhere near Burnaby and thinking about heading out to this one, make sure to snag a comfortable seat because chances are these guys will bring it right back to overtime. If the Shamrocks win the two teams are right back in action Sunday night for game five and winner take all.

Six Nations Arrows @ Orangeville Northmen, Saturday Aug. 16, 7:00 PM EST, Tony Rose Arena

When the final whistle blows on game five tonight it could be marking the end of an era, as the Orangeville Northmen will look to prevent Six Nations’ fifth league title in a row by winning one for themselves. Up 3-1 in the series and coming off a controversial game four win, the Northmen will try to bring that momentum home with them as Adam Jones will look to continue his scoring tear and Nick Rose will demonstrate once again why he was named the top tender in Ontario. Once again the question is can Cody Jamieson be stopped by the relentless Northmen D? And if so, can NLLinsider’s Rookie of the Year candidate Randy Staats pick up the slack? There are potentially two games left in the series after this one and while the full seven would be in the Arrows best interest, it remains to be seen whether or not the Orangeville Northmen can earn themselves a bit of a break before August 22nd rolls around.

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