NLL Insider

The Calgary Roughnecks and New York Titans, the top two teams from the regular season, will fittingly meet in the 2009 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Championship Game on Friday, May 15. Here now is a look at the top young guns from both of those teams by position.

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Offensively, this game will feature two of the league’s brightest young stars in Calgary’s Dane Dobbie and New York’s Jordan Hall.

Last summer’s Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) scoring champ, Dobbie surprising flew under the radar this season despite finishing third overall in league goal scoring during the regular season. Dobbie is now third overall in ‘09 NLL playoff points for a team averaging an impressive 16 goals-for per game.

“Dane has unbelievable hands around the net and his game sense this early in his career is outstanding,” added Calgary’s Troy Cordingley, the ‘09 NLL Coach of the Year. “The best part about Dane is he only wants to get better and he is all ears with the veterans on our team.”

The former No. 1 overall NLL Entry Draft selection, Hall followed up his ‘08 All-Rookie season with an NLL All-Star selection and Top 10 finish in the league point scoring this season. While he may not match Dobbie’s offensive output on Friday, if Hall can pop a few goals it will really boost the Titans’ chances.

“Jordan Hall has become one of our most valuable players with his time in both ends of the floor and on PP, MS and face-offs,” added New York’s Ed Comeau, the ‘09 NLL General Manager of the Year. Look for both Hall and Dobbie to both be clutch ballers on Friday.

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At the face-off circle, New York’s Stephen Peyser has dominated. The rookie star has won 31 of 38 draws this post-season, going 13 of 14 against Buffalo over the weekend. Using both Nolan Heavenor and Devan Wray, however, Calgary will provide New York with strong competition at the circle.

The Roughnecks boast the league’s third-best face-off win percentage and Heavenor has been one of the ‘Necks unsung players. That will be a great battle to watch within the game.

Fans have different opinions on the importance of face-off wins. But in a one game playoff final, you can bet those extra possessions and the ability to control momentum through draws will be big.

On a side note, if Buffalo fans are looking for a face-off guy, they lost out on former Bandits’ practice player Jay Thorimbert who proved to be one of the best at the position in his rookie campaign.

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Defensively, Friday’s final features a few young stars including Calgary’s brother tandem of Mike and Scott Carnegie. New York counters with sophomore defender Rory Smith as well as rookies Jeff Bigas and Steve Ammann. Peyser also plays well out of the back-end.

Insider Jeff Dowling noted earlier to watch for those young players and they accomplished their jobs last weekend, as Calgary carried a shut-out for the first three quarters of play and New York only gave up three goals all game.

“These guys have played a huge role in our team’s success,” added New York’s Ed Comeau of his young defenders, noting Smith and Bigas provide great physical presence. Rory Smith has stepped in on the Titans’ man-down unit as well.

So while Dobbie and Hall will grab a lot of attention building up to Friday’s title match, also keep an eye out for the Carnegies, Smith, Bigas, Ammann and Peyser.

Coverage

The 2009 NLL Champion’s Cup final will be played in Calgary at the Saddledome on Friday, May 15 at 9:30pm EST. Watch live from the NLL.com.

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