The National Lacrosse League is down to its final two teams with the Washington Stealth and the Toronto Rock squaring off in this Sunday’s NLL Champion’s Cup.
It is a familiar match up for Lacrosse fans, the two teams met in last year’s final with the Stealth defeating the Rock 15-11. This ye
ar, its the same teams, but the storyline is much different.
The Stealth were the league’s best team wire to wire a year ago, hosting all three playoff games in their championship run. This year, the Stealth battled injuries and sputtered to an 8-8 record in the regular season earning the third seed in the West Division. However, the Stealth got all of their key players back for the playoffs which has helped them to a convincing 14-8 victory over Minnesota in the first round and a 10-8 win over Calgary in the West Final. But the Stealth have done it on the road. To complete the run for back-to-back championship, Washington will have to do it all without playing in the familiar confines of Comcast Arena.
The Rock on the other hand got to the championship in a similar way than they did a year ago. They jumped out to a 9-2 record, but stumbled to a 10-6 finish in the regular season. Last season the Rock had a five-game losing streak late in the season, but were able to right the ship to get to the Champion’s Cup.
And this year, the Rock, who no doubt have wanted revenge on the Stealth for last year’s championship game, get to host the game at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto had a great opportunity to finish last season with a championship jumping out to a three goal lead only to fall as the Stealth were too much to handle down the stretch.
The Rock have defeated Rochester, who entered the playoffs as perhaps the NLL’s hottest team and the Buffalo Bandits to earn the return trip to the championship game. Toronto has been led by Garrett Billings, who has scored 12 postseason points including six goals.
Billings playoff run has been bested by only one man — Washington’s Lewis Ratcliff. Ratcliff has tallied 13 postseason points, also scoring six goals.
On paper, it would appear to be a very even match up. Both team’s have their share of offensive firepower and they both have playoff experience.
One of the differences in the game could be in front of the net. Toronto goalkeeper Bob Watson is one of game’s all-time greats and Washington’s Tyler Richards continues to make a name for himself each week. Richards saved 44 shots against Calgary in the West Final.
Prediction: Just like in hockey or soccer a hot goalkeeper can be the difference. There is no question that the Stealth have the hottest goalkeeper in the NLL. Richards has given up only 15 goals in the playoffs and hasn’t given up double-digit goals in either game. Richards shows no signs of letting up and the Stealth’s offense has been clicking as well, with Ratcliff leading the way. The return of forward Jeff Zywicki has also energized the Stealth in their first two playoff wins. Winning back-to-back championships is never easy and this certainly won’t be having to do it on the road, but looking at the big picture, the Stealth seem to have the advantage. Don’t be surprised if the Rock jump out to an early lead behind the excitement of their home crowd, but just as Washington has done in its first two playoff games, I expect the Stealth to show composure and stick to the game plan. The Stealth defeat the Rock 12-10 and win back-to-back championship and Richards is the game’s Most Valuable Player.
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