NLL Insider

Calgary won the West. Doesn’t matter. New York won the East. Doesn’t matter. Calgary even has a 12-10 regular season win over New York. Doesn’t matter. “The regular season means squat,” Calgary coach Troy Cordingley says, and he’s right. Right because Friday night, these two teams play in the only game that really matters, the championship. So who’s got the offense? Who’s got the defense? Who’s got the heart? They’re all elements each coach is preparing for his team as faceoff is set for 9:30 p.m. EST on Friday night.

New York at Calgary, Friday at 9:30 p.m. (EST)

So why doesn’t that Feb. 28 win for Calgary matter? Besides it being a regular season game, the Titans were without Casey Powell and while one man does not a team make, this one man brings a lot to the table. Which means when he’s gone, a lot is missed. “It’s no secret how good a player he is,” says New York coach Ed Comeau. “I thought we played well against Calgary, but Casey does make a difference for us.”

CP leads the Titans with 15 points in the two playoff games, including a stellar run of three straight goals capped by the overtime winner in the first round against Rochester. Yet as much as CP means to the Titans, Cordingley knows there’s more. “They didn’t have Patrick Merrill for that game either, and he’s an outstanding defender,” he says. Indeed, the Roughnecks defense will have to be concerned with more than Powell as Pat Maddalena (6 points), Brendan Mundorf (10) and Ryan Boyle (7) balance an attack that will keep the Roughies honest on defense.

Calgary’s offense put together a stunning performance in last week’s win ove San Jose and has four players in double figures for the two playoff games. Josh Sanderson leads the way with 14 points, followed by Dane Dobbie (13), Tracey Kelusky (11) and Scott Ranger (11). Throw in the talent of Kaleb Toth (9) and Curt Malawsky (4), and the Titans know they have their hands full. “They have a QB in Sanderson, who’s such a great passer and finisher and is so smart,” says Comeau. “I also think they’re the best pick-and-roll team in the league with guys like Tracey and Kaleb, who have been playing together for so long and you can just tell. There are so many weapons and if you start packing it in, they have guys who can throw it in from outside.”

That’s where the goalies come into play. Matt King for Calgary and Matt Vinc for New York have sparkled. King’s even been a contributor on offense with 1 goal and 3 assists, but both coaches know they’ll need their goalies in top form. Vinc, especially, will need to be sharp against a Calgary offense that’s scored 32 goals. Throw in a crisp power play that’s scored 33-percent of the Necks goals, and Comeau knows Vinc is going to need help from the guys in front of him. Control the sticks on checks and emotions to stay out of the box because if Calgary goes man-up, the game could get out of hand in a hurry. “Matt Vinc will have to be at his best,” says Comeau.

So that’s what the coaches had to say as they get ready for Friday’s matchup. If you still want more, and you know you do, check out how the youngsters are contributing in the playoffs, or check out who the playoff Money Ballers are for 2009.  

If you’re not headed to Calgary for the game, you can catch the game streamed live at NLL.com. Be sure to tune in early as the league will hook into the feed of Calgary’s FAN 960-AM for 90 minutes of preview. And if you’re of the Sirius mindset, the game will be broadcast on Ch. 126.

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