Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Featured Image Credit: Christian Bender
Marvel introduced us to the What If… Series not too long ago, and with Marvel partnering with the NLL this year, here is Lacrosse is Awesome’s version of questioning the future. I am not The Watcher…but with so many exciting possibilities decided by the final weekend of the regular season here is my reading of the future if instead the Playoffs were starting.
If the NLL Playoffs started THIS weekend we would see the following matchups in the first round:
#1 Toronto Rock hosts #8 Vancouver Warriors
#2 San Diego Seals hosts #7 Panther City Lacrosse Club
#3 Albany Firewolves hosts #6 Halifax Thunderbirds
#4 Georgia Swarm hosts #5 Buffalo Bandits
The first round will be single elimination in the current version of the NLL Playoffs, which unified the standings this year replacing the traditional East and West playoff format. Personally, I LOVE these first-round matchups. The matchups of two Canadian teams (Toronto and Vancouver), two of the newest NLL franchises (San Diego and Panther City), and two matchups of East Division rivals (Albany vs Halifax AND Georgia vs Buffalo), is full of storyline material and would set up a wonderful first playoff weekend.
The possibility of fireworks inducing semi final matchups which will be in a best of three series is…well lets get into some predications and see what these matchups could be…
Left Side of Bracket First Round
#1 Toronto Rock hosts #8 Vancouver Warriors
Head-to-head: Toronto and Vancouver have only matched up once this season and the Rock handled the Warriors at home 9-5.
Prediction: The Rock are well deserved of the #1 ranking in the NLL this year and with Challen Rogers returning healthy to end their regular season is a problem for the rest of the league. Vancouver has had an up and down season, but they have had statement wins against Buffalo, Georgia, and Halifax this season. The thread that ties those wins together though is home turf advantage for Vancouver and they will not have it.
Winner: Toronto Rock
#4 Georgia Swarm hosts #5 Buffalo Bandits
Head-to-head: Georgia and Buffalo have only matched up once this season and the Swarm beat the Bandits at home 9-8.
Prediction: What a first-round matchup this would be! High offensive (and defensive) IQ on both sides. The only matchup this year was nearly a stalemate. Buffalo would come in having won three straight, and Georgia two straight. Two hot teams entering the playoffs, but Buffalo comes in with the chip of being the defending champions. Does that help or hurt them?
Winner: Buffalo Bandits
Left Side of Bracket Semi-Finals
#1 Toronto Rock vs. #5 Buffalo Bandits
Head-to-head: The Buffalo Bandits hold the regular season edge 2-0 against the Toronto Rock.
Prediction: The Bandits defeated the Rock twice during the regular season and both wins came by two goals in games where both teams scored at least 10. This round will be a best of three series and Challen Rogers is a big difference maker for this matchup. Arguably the best all-around player in the game right now, I see his play swaying this matchup heavily.
Winner: Toronto Rock
Right Side of Bracket First Round
#2 San Diego Seals hosts #7 Panther City Lacrosse Club
Head-to-head: San Diego is 2-0 against Panther City in the regular season.
Prediction: It is DIFFICULT to beat a team three times in one season, but San Diego has given themselves a great chance of moving onto the next round this year. Austin Staats has been a goal machine (currently sits at 48) and goaltender Christopher Origlieri is second in the NLL in wins with 12. Panther City worked hard all year to get to the playoffs, but meeting a titan this season in the first round is not looking good.
Winner: San Diego Seals
#3 Albany Firewolves hosts #6 Halifax Thunderbirds
Head-to-head: Albany won the lone matchup of the season against Halifax 12-10.
Prediction: Albany beat Halifax 12-10 in their fifth game of the season to get them to 5-0, and eventually reached 6-0 before losing their seventh game. Currently, they have lost five games in a row. The Firewolves have a young offensive core, and a defense that consistently causes problems for opponents. Halifax has some wily offensive veterans that have seen playoff action before, and the experience could be a difference. All the other games went by the book – this could be the first upset of the playoffs.
Winner: Halifax Thunderbirds
Right Side of Bracket Semi-Finals
#2 San Diego Seals vs. #6 Halifax Thunderbirds
Head-to-head: The San Diego Seals won their only matchup against the Halifax Thunderbirds 12-8 in San Diego.
Prediction: From two opposite sides of our continent, we get a matchup for the semi-final best of three series. San Diego easily beat Halifax in their sole matchup of the regular season, but anything is possible in a best of three series with some long flights involved.
Winner: San Diego Seals
Finals Prediction
#1 Toronto Rock vs. #2 San Diego Seals
Head-to-head: The Toronto Rock beat the San Diego Seals 15-13 on March 2 in San Diego.
Prediction: With only one upset before the finals, the NLL gets their chalk Finals with the #1 and #2 seed making the finals. Also, one team is from the West and one from the East, a marketing dream for viewership numbers. I do see this series going the full three games if it materializes. Both sides have clutch performers that can get a goal when needed against great odds. I would not be surprised to see one goal games for all three!
Winner: Toronto Rock
The Rock have been the best team in the NLL for most of the regular season, and they will reward their consistency all year with the National Lacrosse League Cup.
There are still some games this weekend that could alter the standings and matchups! Check back next week for the final preview of the NLL Playoffs.