Boston Cannons Defeat Charlotte Hounds, 17-16, in Overtime
July 6, 2013 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
Allston, MA - Paul Rabil broke the Cannons' all-time points record during a hard-fought 17-16 overtime victory in front of 5,111 fans at Harvard Stadium tonight. The eventual Player of the Game, Rabil led the Cannons to their fourth straight win with an eight-point night (five goals, three assists) against the Charlotte Hounds (4-6). Newly-acquired Stephen Berger recorded the game-winning goal, his first in a Cannons uniform. With the win, the Cannons (5-5) took sole possession of fourth place in Major League Lacrosse.
Now in his sixth season in the league, Rabil reached 289 career points, surpassing Conor Gill's previous record of 282. The Cannons took control in the first quarter, something the team has struggled to do this season. Rabil and Brent Adams put the Cannons ahead early before Charlotte's Peet Poillon got the Hounds on the board. Mike Stone closed out the frame with two goals, giving the Cannons a 4-1 lead.
A high-scoring second quarter began with three straight Hounds goals, including a two-pointer from Brett Schmidt to give Charlotte the lead. Pat Heim scored on a Will Manny dish to stop Charlotte's run and Boston scored four of the last five goals in the frame, including two from Kevin Buchanan, to take a 9-7 lead into halftime.
Charlotte dominated the third quarter, notching five straight goals including a coast-to-coast score from Hounds goalie Adam Ghitelman. Manny picked up his fifth point of the night (two goals, three assists) as he continued to shine in his rookie season; he now has 18 points in six games. The Cannons were held to two goals in the third and entered the fourth quarter down, 12-11.
After two quick Rabil strikes, both assisted by Berger, Boston and Charlotte would trade goals for the rest of the fourth quarter. Poillon connected on a two-pointer, but Rabil responded less than a minute later with his third goal of the frame. After an unassisted Matt Danowski goal, Buchanan scored his second of the quarter to tie the game at 16, where it would stand at the end of regulation.
In a role-reversal, Rabil assisted on Berger's game-winning goal less than two minutes into overtime. Berger dished out four assists to go with his one goal, resulting in a five point night for his Cannons debut. This was the second consecutive home game in which four Cannons players recorded at least five points apiece (Rabil, Berger, Manny, Buchanan).
Chris Eck dominated at the face-off X, winning 77% over Charlotte's Tim Fallon. Jordan Burke was solid in net with nine saves, including a point-blank stop at the end of regulation. With this four-game winning streak, the Cannons have become a scary team to face late in the season as they look to clinch a playoff spot.
The MLL All-Star Game presented by Moe's Southwest Grill takes place next Saturday, July 12 in Charlotte, featuring Rabil, Stone, Buchanan and Kyle Sweeney. The Cannons then travel to face the Chesapeake Bayhawks on Thursday, July 18 (7:30pm).
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 6, 2013
- Boston Cannons Defeat Charlotte Hounds, 17-16, in Overtime - Boston Cannons
- Hounds Lose Heartbreaker to Cannons in OT - Charlotte Hounds
- Cooper Totals Four Points in Debut to Lead Chesapeake Past Ohio - Chesapeake Bayhawks
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