After what seemed like a very long bye-week, we’ve arrived at Week 8 of the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) season. This week play takes teams to San Jose. Here’s what’s in store.
Coming off a Bye Week: It will be interesting to see how teams perform after coming off what was the last bye week of the regular season. Each of the teams that won in DC then lost in Denver after the All-Star Break. Will we see a similar trend this week? At least one team that won in Denver (Atlas, Archers, Chaos) will lose this week because the Atlas play the Archers.
During the Week: The PLL is putting more emphasis on reaching out to youth, high school, and college players, and numerous players are coaching in/hosting lacrosse clinics across the country. Face-off specialists Greg Gurenlain, Trevor Baptiste, and Jerry Ragonese hosted the Face-Off Academy‘s annual I-95 cup in Delaware, while Tucker Durkin hosted a PLL Academy defensive overnight camp with other PLL defenseman at Bryn Athyn College. Joe Walters, Jules Heningburg, and Mike Chanenchuck (among others) hosted a PLL offensive overnight camp in Rochester NY, and League founder Paul Rabil hosted his Rabil Overnight camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.
The Games
Redwoods (4-3) vs. Chaos (5-2): With a win, the Chaos can clinch a playoff spot, while the Redwoods enter a must-win game. The Redwoods need to avoid tie-breakers to stay at least one game above both the Archers and Atlas. The Chaos have arguably the best offense in the league, and the Atlas need to attack the Redwoods’ league-leading defense. If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on the Chaos.
Chrome (1-6) vs. Whipsnakes (5-2): The Chrome have to make something out of this season, and it can do that by earning the #1 draft pick. Yes, the Chrome has an outside shot of making the playoffs, but playing for the #1 pick seems more likely. That said, I predict that Chrome will challenge the Whipsnakes. Why? The Whipsnakes’ offense didn’t look quite right in Denver last week and, if that showing continues, then it will be Joe Fletcher’s and the Chrome’s opportunity to show what they are about. I’ll roll the dice and go with the Chrome to upset the Whips.
Atlas (3-4) vs. Archers (3-4): This match-up should be the most exciting game of the weekend. A big question for the Archers is who will be in goal–Adam Ghitleman or Drew Adams? Will these two split time as they did last week? Having them split halves seemed to work. The team gave up a season-low seven goals to Chrome. For the Atlas, the big question is whether they will switch it up on defense. It was apparent last week that Austin Pifiani was struggling in one-on-one situations against Jules Heningburg. Color commentary Ryan Boyle called for the Atlas to insert Callum Robinson for Pifani. Will Coach John Paul make that move? Regardless, the Atlas will have to figure out how to stop the Archers’ Big 3–Schriber, Holman, and Manny. All in all, I think this game will be a shootout–so much so, that I predict one team will score 20+ goals. I think the Atlas will edge this one out and, with the win, climb back to .500 on the season.
