NLL Insider

From twelve National Lacrosse League (NLL) teams down to eight teams and now four. It is crazy how quickly the post-season goes in these ‘one or done’ games. Although it would have been great if Boston had hosted a playoff game this season – for several reasons, starting at the box office and with marketing publicity – the one game finals do provide excitement.

And while I looked forward today towards that excitement of the up-coming Division Finals and the remaining rookies in the playoffs, I also wanted to take a look back at the expansion Boston Blazers.

The league’s youngest team finished the regular season in a tie for the East’s best record and pushed the Bandits in the playoffs. Tied 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter, the final ended 11-8 for the defending NLL champions.

“We put a team together really for the future…[but] our goals changed about halfway through the season; we shifted our focus to winning the championship,” added Boston GM and coach Tom Ryan to IL’s Steve Bermel.

Daryl Veltman was outstanding this season leading Boston in goals scored. The No. 1 overall pick is a solid candidate for ‘NLL Rookie of the Year’, even with San Jose rookie Rhys Duch’s record-breaking season.

In the playoffs, Veltman looked calm and composed. Playing like a vet he put up three goals and seven points to lead the Blazers again. Rookie Sean Morris also was hot down the stretch, adding three goals himself in the playoffs.

Jay Thorimbert was unsung this season and great in the first-round, winning 18 of 23 draws. Thorimbert was actually on Buffalo’s practice roster last year but never cracked the line-up. He’s one of many great stories in Boston.

Jon Harnett is a likely NLL All-Rookie selection and Gary Bining could contend for a selection after being a first-round draft pick back in ’06. Bining was voted All-Rookie by the fans along with Blazers’ transition player Greg Downing.

Bubba Durno played some great D and deserves props for that ‘stache while Brett Queener could turn out to be one of the best field turned box players in this year’s rookie crop. The list could go on.

In total, Boston’s line up this season featured 11 rookies, four sophomores and four third year players. The Blazers are definitely a young and up-coming team that have fans talking.

Rochester also inked a few key young guns this year, adding to their roster three ’08 NLL All-Rookie selections: Craig Point, Jamie Rooney and Bobby McBride.

And owner Curt Styres provided his fans with an opportunity to watch those guys live, hooking Rochester fans up with a free trip and t-shirt to see the K-Hawks play in New York.

Point, who highlighted our Top 15 Sophomores playoff watch-list last week, gave fans reason to cheer as he put up two goals and five points. It still wasn’t enough to up-set the East’s top seed as they lost in OT.

Colorado and Portland’s young stars weren’t enough for either team to advance either.

‘Jax rookie goalie Matt Flindell, who highlighted our Top 15 Rookies playoff watch-list, in particular was in tough against a San Jose team that looked as though they could beat any defense last weekend. Coming off the bench for an injured Matt Disher, Flindell surrendered 13 of the 20 goals SJ scored.

With the playoff series only one game (and every season seemingly coming down to the last weekend for playoff spots), rookies will continue to play a large role in the outcome of games. Which young stars will be difference makers this weekend?

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