Al Giscombe, Beat Writer Atlanta Blaze
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Saturday July 22, 2017, the Atlanta Blaze (5-7) hosted the Chesapeake Bayhawks (6-6) and at game time it was a sweltering 90 degrees on the field. The game took place on Armed Forces Appreciation Night, and in all essence, was a playoff elimination game. With two playoff positions still undetermined, either team had a chance to move closer to guaranteeing a playoff berth with a win. Chesapeake dominated the first half and hung on to win 13-12 in the Fire Pit, keeping their playoff aspirations alive. With the loss, the Blaze’s chances are looking grim for a post season appearance. Final Score: Chesapeake – 13, Atlanta – 12.
The Blaze would strike first with a goal from rookie Brian Sherlock (3G) 4:56 into the game. Then Lyle Thompson (2G, 2A) and Brian Farrell (1G) each scored a goal for the Bayhawks. The big story of the first quarter was the non-ability for either team to score on the power-play. Chesapeake had three opportunities in the first quarter, and Atlanta two. Neither team capitalized and Farrell’s goal came shorthanded. At the end of the first quarter, Chesapeake led Atlanta 2-1.
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Bayhawks goalie Niko Amato had 12 first half saves, six in both the first and second quarters, which allowed the Bayhawks defense to keep the Blaze offense in control. The Bayhawks found the back of the net five times in the second quarter with a few offensive gems. The skill set was in full view with behind the back passes, shots, and a few no look goals hitting twine. The 2,000+ fans in attendance witnessed some of the most exciting lacrosse of the season. Randy Staats (2G, 1A) and Sherlock scored for the Blaze after an opening goal from Bayhawks John Maloney (1G). Chesapeake scored the next four goals with Myles Jones (1G), Jake Froccaro (1G) and Josh Byrne (4G) finding the net. Byrne scored the last two of the quarter. The score at halftime was 7-3 in favor of Chesapeake.
After the half, Kevin Rice (2G) dropped two sweet unassisted goals to keep the Blaze in contention, but they were sandwiched around a Byrne goal for the Bayhawks, keeping the difference at three. Again, both teams had trouble scoring with a man advantage. Three Chesapeake and two Atlanta penalties yielded no goals for either team. Atlanta goalie Adam Ghitelman made eight of his 12 saves in the third quarter, which allowed the Blaze to stay close. This proved to be a turning point, as Ghitelman would have trouble stopping Chesapeake in the eventful fourth quarter. At the end of three quarters, Chesapeake led Atlanta 8-5.
The Blaze, seeing their playoff opportunity smoldering away, went into inferno mode and mounted a fantastic and furious comeback in the fourth quarter. At one point, after a four-goal unanswered run spanning just over three minutes, they even found themselves with a one goal lead. The Blaze outscored the Bayhawks 7-5 in the fourth quarter but it was not enough. The Bayhawks could not be grounded as they found a way to take the lead back and hang on for a one goal win. It didn’t help that Ghitelman couldn’t make a save. All five shots on net in the fourth quarter went by him. The most controversial penalty of the game was the matching unnecessary roughness penalties at 14:57 of the fourth quarter on Staats from the Blaze and Will Koshansky from the Bayhawks. This penalty extinguished the final Blaze offensive opportunity and potentially ruined their chance at post season play. Atlanta’s goals came from Dyan Donahue (1G), Sherlock, Jeff Reynolds (1G), Matt Mackrides (2G), Jeremy Noble (1G, 1A), and Staats. Mackrides’ had two goals, both coming in the middle of the four-goal run. Bayhawks goals came from Thompson, Matt Danowski (2G), Matt Abbott (1G, 1A), and Byrne. Danowski had two in the final frame including the game winner on the assist from Thompson with just 47 seconds remaining. The game was a fantastic and exciting display of individual skill, highlighted by the fact that only 10 of the 25 goals were assisted. Four goals for the Bayhawks Josh Byrne earned him Player of the Game. Final Score: Chesapeake – 13, Atlanta – 12.
UP NEXT:
Chesapeake heads to Denver to face the Outlaws on Thursday, July 27 at 4:00 PM.
Atlanta hosts the Rochester Rattlers on Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 PM
Al Giscombe, Beat Writer Atlanta Blaze
Lacrosse is Awesome