NLL Insider

Can Cory Bomberry help ignite the Bandits' power-play in the playoffs? (Photo: Dave Sanders)

Former National Lacrosse league head coach, and current NLL Insider contributor, Jeff Dowling, takes a look at the first round of this year’s playoffs, and what to expect from each team’s special teams and some interesting one-on-one matchups in the first round.

THE WEST

(1) Calgary Roughnecks vs. (4) Colorado Mammoth

Calgary has the best PP in the league, scoring on 60% of their chances.  Colorado has the 2^nd best MD in the league stopping close to 60% of their opponent’s chances.  Of course it is interesting to note that in the season split between to two teams, Colorado held Calgary to less than 50% PP scoring while connecting for more than 50% on their chances.  Come playoff time throw the % out the window.  It will come down more to who can stay out of the box.  In their two games, Calgary had 10 more chances with the extra man. 

As far as matchups within the game, Calgary plays a pressure defense that doesn’t really rely too much on matching up against top players, but you can expect to see Jeff Moleski on Brian Langtry or Gavin Prout and Andrew McBride will likely try to take Dan Carey whenever possible.  On the other side, there are too many weapons on the Calgary offense to match up.  The one you might see would be someone like John Gallant on Shooter.  Gallant is a gnat that can chase Shooter around and make it harder for him to deliver the ball to his teammates. 

(2) Portland Lumberjax vs. (3) San Jose Stealth

San Jose’s PP is better and Portland’s MD is marginally better.  Portland won the season series 2-1 and the special teams stats are similar, with San Jose scoring 11 on 21 chances and Portland connecting for 10 on the 21 chances.  A lot will depend on the style of reffing and of course the goaltending situation.  Eric Martin comes back from his 2 game hiatus and that may give Portland a few extra chances with the extra man.  What that also does is gives SJ their physical shut down guy to cover Ryan Powell.  Martin will likely be all over him from the first whistle and if he can keep his emotions in check, he can take Powell out of the game.  SJ also has other shut down defenders like Brett Manney and Steven Holmes.  You can bet Cory Conway and Pete Morgan will get a little extra attention. 

On the other side, Portland also possesses a couple of guys that are capable of shutting down big time players.  Merril and Codron will likely get that duty, but Portland also uses Rich Morgan in that role instead of Merril to let Merril roam and create transition.  Doyle and Zywicki are the two usually targeted, but Duch and Rabil have to be accounted for as well.

THE EAST

(1) New York Titans vs. (4) Rochester Knighthawks

No question NY is better with Casey Powell in the lineup.  That’s like saying beer is better when it’s cold.  Will a healthy CP also change the PP?  Just looking at the three games they played this year against Rochester, they went 9 for 14 with CP in two games and only 3 for 10 when he was out.  Rochester was above their 48% average vs. New York connecting for 10 on 20 chances.  Rochester is starting to gel and can throw out a talented group on the PP depending on who dresses. 

NY has a couple of great shut down players, John Orsen and Greg Peyser, who will both be watching from the stands due to injuries sustained earlier this year however.  That leaves NY to rely on the overall athleticism of their defense and you can expect that they will chase Willy around and will have Rory Smith looking to slide with a big hit.  Rochester also has a great shut down player on their roster.  Activating Scott Ditzel to shut down CP may be a consideration for the K’Hawks.  It may also give NY more PP opportunities!

(2) Buffalo Bandits vs. (3) Boston Blazers

Boston’s PP is the 2^nd worst of the playoff teams, and some of that can be attributed to Dan Dawson’s 2 PP goals this year.  While most of the plays they have set up have Dawson hitting Bining or Veltman, Dan has not shot as well as he usually does which can be scary for the Buffalo’s MD.  Do they give Danger the shot or continue to play like most have and let him set up his teammates?  Buffalo has the best man down is the league and more surprising is that they give up less PP chances than anyone else in the East.  Never thought a Buffalo team had that much composure!  On the PP, they are struggling to find their groove.  But when you have JT on the floor quarterbacking, anything can happen. 

While Buffalo’s offense became more about JT and Steenhuis this year, it’s playoffs and time for guys like Bomberry, Vyse and Accursi to step up.  Especially if Boston tries to shut off JT and Steenhuis, that will open the floor up quite a bit.  I expect that Boston will play its same style and keep teams to the outside allowing Cosmo a chance to see the shots and block them.  At the other end, even though Buffalo plays the pressure defense, I’d be surprised if Dawson doesn’t get a big dose of Billy Dee Smith, with guys like Chris White and Ian Llord sliding when the time is right.

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