Cannons Stun Rattlers Reaction

I have been trying to write this blog post for the past couple days, but I still can't believe what happened in the Cannons 14-13 OT win over the Rochester Rattlers. Here is my reaction to the Cannons victory!

The Kardiac Kids:

I have officially nicknamed the Cannons this year the Kardiac Kids, because one of these games they are gonna give me a heart-attack but they always find a way to win. The Cannons remind me of the 2004 Boston Red Sox, Kemba Walker and UConn's magical run that season, and probably this years Boston Red Sox team as well, you can never count them out of any game and always seem to win in a dramatic fashion! No matter how much they might be down by they just have this will and desire that could get them back into any game regardless of the amount they are trailing by. The Cannons have found their way to dig out holes in almost every game this year, and they seem to respond great when they are almost look at as the underdog, or people think their is no way they can come back from down this much but the Cannons do seem to always will themselves back into games. Outside of the opener against Charlotte Hounds the Cannons have always trailed at one point and always fight back into it. In the second game against the Blaze the Cannons at one point trailed 5-2 with 13:40 to go in the second quarter, not a lot in lacrosse but a decent margin the Cannons came back from that deficit and won 13-12. The Cannons never really trailed against the Bayhawks either but they did have to fight off a Bayhawks late comeback, but only trailed 2-0 early in the first quarter. But then you look at the Rattlers game the Cannons trailed 6-2 with 9:42 remaining in the Second Quarter that's a decent hole to have to dig out of. That lead always grew to be 9-3 in favor of the Rattlers 7:03 remaining in the second quarter as well. That's a huge lead 6 goals that's a big hole the Cannons chipped away and made it 9-5 at the half. The Cannons were down 11-7 going into the fourth and came and made it a game. And then seemingly the game should have been over when the Cannons trailed 13-11 with 3 seconds left the Cannons had to clear the ball from their own end line pretty much having to Gilman in it to get a last shot of. And let's just say from now on Brodie Merrill is a god to me. I can't even describe what happened here's the video just watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_TxsmIbX4

WILL MANNY MVP:

I should not have to say anything else, if WILL MANNY DOES NOT WIN MVP THIS YEAR THE MLL AWARDS IS RIGGED. Unless he gets hurts or something oh god please don't let that happen! Will knock on wood please if you read this! I said it last time I blogged Manny is balling out this year and he is balling hard. Manny had a 10 point game! Yeah you didn't read that wrong a 10 point game! He had 6 goals and for the 2nd straight game he scored a 2pt-Goal, he also dished out 3 assists as well. Here is my plead MLL, as the great Santana Moss put it, "Big time players make big time plays in big games." And boy did Manny do that against the Rattlers, first off the Cannons were going up against John Galloway, who I consider one of the top three goalies in the MLL (the class is Drew Adams, Tyler Fiorito, and Galloway). In the 4th quarter Manny had a day, he had 2 goals 1 of which was a 2pt--goal and had an assist as well, and then Manny assisted on the game-winning goal in overtime by David Emala, sorry I haven't talked much about your game winning-goal Dave, still a great player. Manny was also named offensive player of the Week, this week so we are getting close to the dream. But yeah #WillManny4MVP, just let it happen MLL. Here is where he currently sit in everything in the MLL, tied for 2nd in goals (15, one behind the leader Marcus Holman), 2nd in assists with (10, he is 5 behind the leader Tom Schreiber), but he does lead the league in points with 27 the next closest person is Kevin Rice who is only at 20 points this year.

Justin Turri Has Made a Difference:

In the last two games Turri has really showed why the Cannons made the right choice in trading for him. Turri has only played the last 2 games for the Cannons and has looked great in both games, he stepped up big time against the Rattlers when Star Midfielder Max Seibald went down with an injury and missed the rest of the game, he had only 2 points the assist on the first goal of the game to Brent Adams, and then scored the 1st goal in the 4th quarter to start the Cannons comeback run. Turri has brought something different to the Cannons Midfield Unit that they were missing the first 2 games, and I think what they were missing was just another strong offensive minded Midfielder who can really dodge and get to the net!

The Face-off Group:
I really haven't talked much about the Face-off play this year and I should give the Cannons FOGO's some props they have played great so far this year outside of the game against the Hounds in which the got dominated (11-31, 35%), but since then they have looked great. Against the Blaze the Cannons as a team went 19-28 68% Craig Bunker in particular went 16-22 in that game. The Cannons then looked pretty good at the dot, against the Bayhawks going 14-27 (52%) with Nardella being the main guy after Bunker struggled early going 1-7, Nardella would go 13-20 the rest of the game, and then against the Rattlers the Cannons went 20-30 (67%) with all the draws being taken by Nardella. On the season the Cannons percentage is 55.2 and since the Hounds game the Cannons have won 62.4%. Here are Craig Bunker and Joe Nardella's stats through the season so far. Craig Bunker 26-47, 55.3%, and Joe Nardella  36-56, 64.3%.

Joe Nardella Killed it:

Joe Nardella has been hot the last two games for the Cannons and he was really the X-factor in the Cannons comeback win. Winning 67% of the draws is huge in a game in which the Cannons trailed by a good amount it was great to have someone who controlled the dot and made sure the Cannons had the ball and the opportunity to stay in the game and really make a comeback so just a quick shout-out to Nardella.

Those are my thoughts from the Cannons thrilling 14-13 OT victory over the Rattlers! The Cannons next game is this Saturday at 7:00 PM at Harvard Stadium as the Cannons (3-1) host the Ohio Machine (3-1).

Cannons Beat Bayhawks 13-11 Reaction

The Boston Cannons played their third game of the season last night against the Chespeake Bayhawks. The Bayhawks came into the game 2-0 but at the games end they fell to 2-1 after a great victory by the Boston Cannons winning 13-11. Here is my reactions from last nights big win.

Tyler Fiorito My MVP:

Fiorito has been great all year in between the pipes for the Cannons but last night he played outstanding. He showed why he is arguably the best goalie in Major League Lacrosse, Fiorito also actually got to play with the Cannons true starting defense with Mitch Belisle and Brodie Merrill both back in action. Even without those two defensemen Fiorito was having a great year but last night he just made everything look so easy. Fiorito finished last nights game with 20 saves including 8 big saves in the first quarter and also had 8 saves in the third quarter as well. Fiorito was making some remarkable saves but he was seeing all the shots into his stick. They weren't saves that hit his body then allowed the Bayhawks to move it around and get another shot Fiorito was playing great and was not allowing any rebound goals. Fiorito helped lead the Cannons to victory last night, all though Lax Sports Network declared Will Manny the MVP last night in my mind Fiorito was the MVP to me sorry Will.

Cannons Defense:

The Cannons defense was great last night and really showed how great they can be when they are at full strength. With Belisle and Merrill back it really gave the Cannons a deadly 1-2 punch of close defensemen who they could put out their to shut off the Bayhawks top Attackmen. The Cannons were not gonna let the Bayhawks great Attack beat them and instead made sure none of their star players really had a breakout game and would will their team to victory. Instead the Cannons forced the Bayhawks to really have to go through their Midfielders who had 5 of the teams 6 goals, and if you include Danowski's goal as a Midfield goal because he came on from the box the Bayhawks attack really didn't do much. Brendan Mundorf had 2 goals, Drew Westervelt had 1 goal, and then Matt Mackrides didn't come alive till the fourth quarter were he scored both his goals. The Cannons defense really helped lead the team to victory and if they can continue to play like the way they did last night they could be making a serious run at the the title.

Will Manny For MVP:

I am officially starting the Will Manny for MVP Campaign, yes we are only three games in but Manny has been a beast. Manny had 5 points last night in the Cannons victory with 4 goals and one of those goals being a 2 point goal. Manny so far this year has been everything and more for the Cannons, in just three games this year Manny leads the team with 9 goals (1 2pt goal) and 7 assists good for 17 points. Manny leads the Cannons in goals, assists, and points. Manny is currently tied for 4th in the league in goals, and is also tied for third in assists, but Manny does lead the league in points with the next two closest players behind him by 3 points. Manny has been great all year and has showed that the Cannons will be working through him through out the year to win games.

Justin Turri's Debut:

Justin Turri was dealt to the Cannons during the Collegiate draft this year. Turri missed the first two games for the Cannons but was ready for the Cannons third game and boy did he come to play. Turri looked like the old Justin Turri who was once named the MLL's Most Improved Player, Turri pumped in 2 goals and dished out 1 assist as well. With Turri back and if he can continue to play like he did last night that gives the Cannons and even more dangerous Midfield unit. Hopefull Turri will be able to continue to suit up and keep playing as great as he did last night.

The Cannons next game is actually tomorrow night at 7 PM as the Cannons host the Rochester Rattlers at Harvard Stadium. The Rattlers come into the game at 0-2, but it should still be another great game. Check out my blog post tomorrow for a preview of the game!

Cannons vs Bayhawks Preview

It's been a while since my last post I have been busy with finals and school work but now I am officially done and well be keeping my blog updated all the time. First off the Cannons play their third game of the season tomorrow against the Chesapeake Bayhawks lets take a look at the game.

Boston Cannons 1-1 at Chesapeake Bayhawks 2-0

Bayhawks Returning Players:

First off let's look at some of the players who will be returning to see their first action tho year for the Bayhawks. The Hawks have been playing without some of their better players and of course they are all coming back just in time for the Cannons game. The first player that will be making his return is Joe Walters. Walters is an amazing dodging midfielder who can really do it all offensively, it will be scary to see what the Bayhawks will be able to do with him. 

Cannons Returning Players:
The Cannons will also look a little different with two players making their return to the Boston Cannons and one rookie making his debut. The Cannons activated stud defensemen Mitch Belisle and Brodie Merrill, the two stud defensemen who helped anchor the defense and will be a big help. At times this season it's felt like the Cannons have been missing something defensively and now with Belisle and Merrill returning all may be good in the world. The Cannons fans will also get to see the debut of former Stony Brook star Challen Rogers, who just finished up his senior year at Stony Brook, after they failed to make the NCAA tournament. Rogers is coming in after a fantastic year for Stony Brook where he scored 22 goals and dished out 37 assists good for 59 points on the year. Rogers will bring another dimension to this Cannons team with his great passing ability and still remains as a threat to score. I am sure Coach Quirk will be happy to have those three available for tonights game.

Bayhawks Preview:

The Bayhawks are having a great year so far and they are getting scoring from so many different guys, which makes them so dangerous. The whole Bayhawks team is so dangerous and has so many guys that can really take over a game. The Bayhawks Attack unit is legit and has so much talent which is why they are so good, their attack is Matt Danowski (4G 4A 8pts in one game played), Alex Love (5G 2A 7pts), Drew Westervelt (4G 2A 6pts), and Brendan Mundorf (3G 1A 4pts). That right there is a great Attack unit, when that unit isn't killing you the Bayhawks use their great Midfield talent to dodge down the alley and shot to take the pressure of their attack unit. The unit is lead by Matt Abbott (5G 2A 7pts), Matt Mackrides (3G 2A 5pts), and Nick Ossello (3G 1A 4pts) and then Joe Walters returns for his first game of the year too. The Bayhawks offense can win them games the question at times though seems to be can there defense win them games? Brian Phipps has had the job of having to replace two great goalies in Bayhawks past, in Kip Turner (retired) and Tyler Fiorito who was traded to the Cannons this season. Phipps has been great so far this season and teams have really struggled to score on this Bayhawks team, and really if the Cannons are gonna want to win this game they might want to slow it down and not make it a track meet because the Bayhawks have so many guys who can kill you on the offensive side of the ball.

Tyler Fiorito Makes His Return:

Just last year Fiorito was entrusted to anchor, the Bayhawks defense getting the starts between the pipes after Kip Turner was hurt and forced to miss all last year. Fiorito stepped up big and played great all year between the pipes but, his career year was not good enough for the Bayhawks they failed to make the postseason. After Cannons great goalie Jordan Burke announced his retirement the Bayhawks took the opportunity and dealt Fiorito to the Cannons. One of the stories for tonight's game Fiorito returns home to the team that drafted him.

Matchup To Watch:
Cannons to Defense vs. Bayhawks Offense
The key matchup will really be can the Cannons slow down, the Bayhawks high powered offense who have so many different offensive threats. The Bayhawks may have veteran talent but these veterans are still able to come out to and play. At times this year the Cannons defense has looked weak and has given up goals where they have left Fiorito out to dry. That can't happen against the Bayhawks the Cannons have to be on their A game defensively or else, this game might not end in the result the Cannons want.

Player to Watch Bayhawks:
Matt Danowski
Yes the former Duke legend is still out in the MLL and he is still just as good. In Danowski's season debut last game against the Atlanta Blaze, he played big scoring 4 goals and dishing out 4 assists. Danowksi currently leads all Bayhawks players in scoring and he has only played one game. Danowski is the anchor of this Bayhawks offense when things are clicking for him the offense just runs smoothly. Danowski will be my player to watch tonight for the Bayhawks since the offense really seems to run through him.

Player to Watch Cannons:
Max Seibald
Seibald came alive last game against the Atlanta Blaze and I think that game will help kick start another great season for him. Seibald had 4 goals (1 2pt-goal) and dished out an assist in the game as well. I think with Rogers playing tonight that makes the Cannons midfield unit even more dangerous and I think with Rogers knowledge of the game and has ability to find his fellow teammates I think that will help Seibald and make him even more dangerous in this game tonight.