Blast Game Preview and Game Notes
Published on February 15, 2018 under Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore Blast @ Cedar Rapids Rampage
Friday, February 16 @ U.S. Cellular Center 7:35p.m. CST/ 8:35p.m. EST
Baltimore Blast @ Milwaukee Wave
Saturday, February 17 @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena 7:05p.m. CST/ 8:05p.m. EST
Setting the Tone:
Baltimore Blast: 15-2
First place in the Eastern Division
Previous Game: Defeated Milwaukee Wave 6-5
Cedar Rapids Rampage: 9-9
Second Place in the Central Division
Previous Game: Defeat St. Louis Ambush 8-7
Season Series:
11/10/17 Blast defeat Rampage 8-7
12/31/17 Â Blast defeat Rampage 3-2
Milwaukee Wave: 14-4
First place in the Central Division
Previous Game: Lost to Baltimore Blast 6-5
Season Series:
2/10/18 Blast defeat Wave 6-5
Baltimore Players to Watch:
The Blast offense is led by Tony Donatelli, Vini Dantas, and Jonatas Melo. Donatelli leads the team in goals (19), assists (18), and points (37). His 37 points and 18 assists are both 7th in the league. Dantas is tied for the team lead with 19 goals and has 28 points on the year. Melo is second on the team with 13 assists and has 20 points this season.
Baltimore's defense is led by Pat Healey and Adriano Dos Santos. Healey, a 2-time Defender of the Year, leads the MASL with 32 blocked shots this season. Dos Santos is a key contributor both on offense and defense. He has 15 blocked shots this season while also being third on the team in assists (12) and fourth on the team in points (19). Joey Kapinos is in goal for the Blast. He is 4-0 with a 4.6 GAA this season.
The Competition- Cedar Rapids Rampage
Cedar Rapids is led on offense by Gordy Gurson, Victor France, Alex Bradley, and Bobby Hurwitz. Gurson leads the team in goals (20), assists (14), and points (34). His 34 points are 10th in the MASL. France and Hurwitz are tied for second on the team with 15 goals each. France has 21 total points and Hurwitz has 17 points on the year. Bradley is second on the team with eight assists and has 18 points this season. The Rampage defense is led by Sam Guernsey and Edwin Rojas. Guernsey leads the team with 17 blocked shots and Rojas has blocked 14 shots this season. Rainer Hauss is in goal for Cedar Rapids. He is 4-5 with a 6.1 GAA this season.
The Competition- Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee is led on offense by Ian Bennett, Max Ferdinand and Marcio Leite. Bennett leads the team with 45 goals and 55 points. His 55 points and 45 goals both rank 2nd in the MASL. Ferdinand leads the MASL with 29 assists and has 39 points on the year, which is tied for 5th in the MASL. Leite is second on the team in goals (15) and assists (15) and has 30 points this season. The Wave have five players with at least 10 goals on the season.
The Wave defense is led by Jonatan Santos and Drew Ruggles. Santos leads the team with 28 blocked shots, tied for fourth in the MASL. Ruggles has 13 blocked shots, while also recording 10 goals on the year. Josh Lemos is in goal for Milwaukee. His 14 wins leads the MASL and he has a 5.6 GAA this season. Lemos also has recorded three goals and eight assists to contribute to the Wave offense.
What's at stake:
Baltimore can clinch the Eastern Division with a win on Friday OR a win on Saturday OR a Florida Tropics loss to San Diego on Friday OR a Florida loss to San Diego on Saturday. Baltimore can clinch the Eastern Conference's top seed with a win on Friday AND a win on Saturday.
Cedar Rapids can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Friday OR a win over Monterrey on Sunday OR a Kansas City loss to Harrisburg on Saturday. Milwaukee has clinched the Central Division title.
Upcoming Games:
February 23rd 7:35 p.m. EST Baltimore Blast vs. Milwaukee Wave
February 24th 6:05 p.m. EST Baltimore Blast vs. Florida Tropics
March 4th 4:05 p.m. EST Baltimore Blast @ Syracuse Silver Knights
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 15, 2018
- Let's play two: Tropics tangle with San Diego Sockers for home weekend doubleheader - Florida Tropics SC
- San Diego Visits Sunshine State - San Diego Sockers
- Wave Looking for Payback against Arch-Rival Baltimore Blast Saturday Night - Milwaukee Wave
- Rampage Sprint to the Finish Line with Four Games in Eight Days - Cedar Rapids Rampage
- Ambush Face Syracuse Twice this Weekend - St. Louis Ambush
- Blast Game Preview and Game Notes - Baltimore Blast
- Syracuse Hosts Two Matches this Weekend vs. St. Louis - Syracuse Silver Knights
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
