NLL Insider

Rory Smith and Tom Hajek threw bombs on Friday night. (Reinhold Matay Photography)

The Orlando Titans really couldn’t have asked for much more from their season opening 13-8 thrashing of the Philadelphia Wings on Friday night.

Between some amazing highlight reel quality goals, a trio of fights highlighted by who else but Geoff Snider and Rory Smith, some fan interaction in Snider’s “office” (fans dumped beer and popcorn on Snider while in the penalty box), and of course the win in front of an already pretty filled up Amway Arena (8,145 announced attendance in the lower bowl), you’d have to think fans in Orlando will be back for more.

“The night could not have been any better,” said Titans owner Gary Rosenbach. ”The guys played an outstanding game, but it was the crowd that impressed me the most. 

“The fans really got into it, they were on their feet almost the entire game and I think they got to see what indoor lacrosse is all about. It’s certainly something we want to build on.”

While playing home dates in New York (New Jersey and even previously Sunrise, Florida) the Titans players forgot what playing on a home floor with an arena full of fans could do to their game.

“The fans were really incredible tonight,” said Orlando keeper Matt Vinc. ”The last couple of years has been almost like playing every game on the road. We never felt a home field advantage. Tonight was something special and hopefully we can build on it and make this the toughest venue in the league to play in.”

Currently ranked second in Brian Shanahan’s first edition of the Insider Power Rankings, the Orlando Titans have an extra week to bask in the glory of last week’s revelation, but are back in action at Boston on Saturday, January 23rd (7:30PM EST). Their next date playing in front of their new ramped up fan base is the weekend after on Friday (7:35PM EST) at Amway.

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PLUS THE LINKS

John Grant’s return to the NLL was a good one, posting 8-points in the Rochester Knighthawks dominating win over the Buffalo Bandits. Check out his post-game interview where Grant talks about his return to form and why his first helper this year will be one he always remembers…

Addicted? Likely to the Stealth (maybe more)

Stealth lover – Not sure if it’s from the dude who looks like he’s dealing with a flame engulfed head of hair, but the Stealth picked up one, and probably many more, life-long fans during their win over Colorado on Saturday night. “With the best moustache in the league, please welcome number 44 Travis Gillespie.” (Everett WA blog)

Plus, check out a slightly grainy (yet much appreciated) vid from this past weekend’s pro rookie dance-off, still junior aged Coquitlam Adanacs defender Matt Beers and high profile Mammoth rookie Ilija Gajic going toe-to-toe. Hit this link for more fight vids from Everett, and this one to revisit one of Beers’ from this past summer too…

Manney Q&A – One of Inside Lacrosse’s second-year Americans to watch this year, Brett Manney talks about the transition from field to box. “I never played box lacrosse before training camp so I had a lot to learn in short amount of time but in the end lacrosse is lacrosse.” (Philly Lacrosse)

And although it didn’t pump up the boys in their flat performance against the Toronto Rock on Saturday night, check out the Boston Blazers’ intro vid below…

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