Barrage versus Lizards Rematch at Villanova Thursday
Published on July 19, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
For the second time this season, the Philadelphia Barrage will battle the Long Island Lizards in a rematch game at Villanova Stadium. The first time these two teams met, Philadelphia managed to pull off the win with another one goal game but it wasn't easy, Long Island dominated the first half of the game pulling ahead by eight goals. Although this game will be a tough physical battle for both teams, it will prove to be an exciting one with both teams missing their top players due to the ILF World Lacrosse Championships. Philadelphia will be without attackman Ryan Boyle, defenseman Kyle Sweeney and midfielders Matt Striebel and Roy Colsey. Long Island will be without midfielders Blake Miller and Jay Jalbert and defensemen John Gagliardi, Pat McCabe and Nicky Polanco. Both teams are coming off big wins and hope to continue that even with the loss of key players. Long Island just served the Rochester Rattlers the worst loss in team history with a score of 19-7. Philadelphia, after suffering two big losses to the Boston Cannons, returned to their winning ways with a big 17-7 win over the New Jersey Pride. Face off it set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday night, this game will also feature a poster giveaway sponsored by Verizon Communications.
With only four games remaining in the 2006 regular season, the playoff race is on among the Eastern Division teams. Philadelphia is tied for first place with the Cannons at 6-2, with the Lizards tied for third place with the Rattlers at 4-4. Long Island is looking to continue their winning streak on Thursday to help them move higher in the standings with a hope to return to the Championship game. Philadelphia, never being in a position to take the lead in the East in history, are looking to keep their spot on top with a win, and to help get the Lizards off their heels. The format of the 2006 playoffs is as follows: the division leaders in the East and West will be awarded automatic playoff berths and will be ranked number one and two based on their record. Two wild card spots will remain and be given to the next two teams, based on season record and regardless of division and they will be placed in the number three and four spot. The number one team will play the number four team in the semi-final round on August 25 and the number two team will play the number three team. The winners of each game will move on to the 2006 New Balance Championship game on August 27 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.
Philadelphia will play their final home game of the 2006 season on Thursday, July 27 against the reigning 2005 MLL Champions, the Baltimore Bayhawks. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or visiting them online at www.ticketmaster.com
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