philadelphia Waterdogs vs. New York Atlas
Table of Contents
Monday | 12 p.m. | ESPN
Injury report:
Waterdogs: LSM Marcus Hudgins questionable (right wrist), A Zed Williams out, D Liam Byrnes out
Atlas: None to report
Veteran attack Kieran McArdle has a knack for coming through in critical spots; as 2022, McArdle has more points in clutch situations (24) than anyone else. He scored two such goals in the quarterfinals, putting Philly ahead 13-12, then adding the insurance goal to make it 14-12 in the final minute.
With four points in the semifinal, McArdle (520 points) will move ahead of Casey Powell (523) into fifth place in PLL scoring all time.
All 14 of the Waterdogs’ win in the quarterfinal came from their three attackmen: McArdle, CJ Kirst and Michael Sowers.It was the first time in PLL history that a team won a game with that distribution of scoring.
redwoods vs. Cannons
Monday | 3 p.m. | ESPN
Injury report:
Redwoods: A Myles Jones questionable (left ankle)
Cannons: D Nicky Bell questionable (right shoulder)
The Cannons are 0-3 all-time in the PLL playoffs, and have been outscored 41-26 in those games. They are looking to avoid becoming the first No. 1 seed to be eliminated in the first round of the PLL playoffs.
Redwoods’ Jules Heningburg has 10 points in his past two games, including a hat trick in the quarterfinal. He is one of only three players in the league with at least 30 goals and 20 assists this season.
Cannons’ faceoff specialist, Jonathan Donville, is 76.8% at the faceoff dot this season, the highest percentage in the league. He has won 163 faceoffs, 38 more than the next closest player.
PLL Championship Preview: Denver Outlaws vs.Boston Cannons
The Denver Outlaws and Boston Cannons are set to clash in the 2024 PLL Championship game on September 15th. This marks a rematch of a Week 1 contest won by Denver, but the Cannons have surged sence then, presenting a formidable challenge. Here’s a breakdown of both teams, key players, and what to expect in this championship showdown.
Boston cannons: A Resurgent Force
The Cannons have dramatically improved throughout the season, fueled by a potent offense and strong defensive play. After a shaky start, they found their rhythm, showcasing an ability to score consistently and limit opponents.
Offensive Powerhouse
Boston’s offense is led by the dynamic duo of Asher Nolting and Tye Lee. Nolting finished the regular season as the league’s leading scorer with 36 goals, and Lee is a consistent threat with both his shooting and playmaking ability.https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/stats Their ability to create scoring opportunities has been crucial to the Cannons’ success.
Asher Nolting: League leader in goals (36).
Tye Lee: A dual threat with scoring and assists.
Marcus Gilmore: A key defensive midfielder who contributes offensively.
Defensive Strength
The Cannons’ defence has been anchored by goalie Jonathan Pevnick. Pevnick has been a consistent presence in net, providing stability and making crucial saves. He finished the regular season with a 55.8% save percentage. https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/stats
Denver Outlaws: championship Experience
The Denver Outlaws are aiming for their second PLL championship, bringing a wealth of experience and a balanced roster to the table.They started the season strong and have maintained a consistent level of play throughout.
Offensive Firepower
Denver boasts a high-powered offense spearheaded by Pat Kavanagh, Jared Bernhardt, and Jack O’Neill. Kavanagh, in particular, has been a standout performer, showcasing his remarkable scoring ability. In the previous matchup against Boston, Kavanagh recorded a career-high eight points (five goals, three assists). https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/news/pat-kavanagh-named-player-of-the-week bernhardt and O’Neill provide additional scoring threats and playmaking ability, making the Outlaws’ offense incredibly tough to defend.
Goalkeeping and Defensive Depth
Rookie goalie Logan McNaney has been a revelation for the Outlaws, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s top netminders. He finished the regular season second in save percentage (58.3%). https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/stats Beyond McNaney, Denver’s defense is bolstered by the remarkable play of LSM Jake Piseno, who recorded 12 points in the 2024 season – the third-most for a long-pole player as 2019.
Key Matchups and What to Expect
The first meeting between these teams in Week 1 saw Denver win 13-11, with Kavanagh leading the charge. However, the Cannons have evolved considerably since then.
Kavanagh vs. Cannons Defense: Containing Kavanagh will be paramount for Boston. Expect them to double-team him and disrupt his scoring opportunities.
Nolting vs. Outlaws Defense: Denver will need to limit Nolting’s impact to slow down the Cannons’ offense.
Goalkeeping Battle: The performance of McNaney and Pevnick will be critical. Big saves at key moments could swing the momentum.
Expect a fast-paced, physical game with plenty of scoring. The Cannons’ improved defense will make this a closer contest than the Week 1 matchup. denver’s championship experience and offensive firepower give them a slight edge, but Boston is more than capable of pulling off an upset.
Key Takeaways:
Offensive Stars: Both teams feature elite offensive players in Kavanagh, Nolting, and Lee.
Goalkeeping Matters: The performance of McNaney and Pevnick will be crucial. Rematch dynamic: The Cannons have improved significantly as their Week 1 loss to Denver.
Defensive Focus: Containing key offensive threats will be a priority for both teams.