Cannons Host Baltimore in Final Home Game
Published on August 3, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
Boston, MA (August 3, 2006) - The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) will host the Baltimore Bayhawks at Boston University's Nickerson Field on Saturday, August 5th at 7:00 PM. This is the eleventh game of the season for both the Cannons and the Bayhawks. It is Boston's final home game of the 2006 regular season. The Cannons will provide local media outlets with a complete post-game summary following the conclusion of Saturday's contest.
Despite a 20-14 loss to the New Jersey Pride last weekend, the Boston Cannons (7-3) clinched a spot in the MLL post-season for the sixth consecutive season. Boston is the only MLL franchise that has qualified for the playoffs in every year of league play. The Baltimore Bayhawks (4-6) are coming off a tough loss of their own, having been defeated by the Philadelphia Barrage by a score of 22-11.
Back in Week Eight, Baltimore put an end to the Cannons league-leading six-game winning streak, defeating the Cannons in Baltimore by a score of 19-12.
In the loss to the Pride last week, Conor Gill led all Cannons players with five points, scoring a goal and four assists. Gill is currently the second leading scorer in the MLL with 50 points. Brett Bucktooth, who scored four goals on the evening, was named the Cascade MLL Rookie of the Week.
Coach Bill Daye could use another big night from both Gill and Bucktooth when they face the Bayhawks this weekend. Gill is the Cannons all-time leading scorer against Baltimore, with 48 points. He had three goals and two assists in Boston's loss to Baltimore in Week Eight. In that game, rookie Matt Poskay also had his best game of the season, scoring five goals.
Midfielder David Jenkins was 15-32 at the face-off X in his last game against Baltimore and is 162-301 on the season. His 67 groundballs this season lead the Cannons and are good for third in the league.
Boston's defense will have their work cut out for them this weekend. Not only are they are coming off one of their poorest performances of the season, they are facing a Baltimore team that had three players score four or more goals during their last meeting. Boston has given up 130 goals in ten games for a 13.00 goals-against-average, ranking them fifth in the MLL.
Boston goalie Chris Garrity made 19 saves on 37 shots in the game versus the Bayhawks. Garrity is 6-3 in nine games for the Cannons this season, with a 13.30 goals-against average and a .570 save percentage.
For Baltimore, Coach Scott Hiller's team is led by Veteran attackman Mark Millon with 34 points. But much of the offense for the Bayhawks this season has been provided by a number of talented rookies. Several of those rookies put their scoring skills on display when they played the Cannons in Week Eight. Rookie attacker Matt Ward, who is the Bayhawks second leading scorer this season with 28 points, scored six goals and three assists when these two teams last met. Midfielder Bill McGlone had 5 goals, including a two-pointer, and Kyle Dixon made his MLL debut and scored a goal of his own.
Midfielder Kevin Frew went 15-26 at the face-off X against Boston and has gone 96-181 this season. He also leads the team with 38 groundballs. Midfielder Ben DeFelice was 3-8 versus the Cannons on face-offs and is 57-133 on the season.
Baltimore's defense is currently ranked second-to-last in the MLL, having allowed 157 goals in ten games for a 15.70 goals-against-average.
Rookie goalie Matt Russell earned the win against the Cannons in Week Eight. In that game, Russell made 13 saves on 25 shots. He has appeared in 3 games for the Bayhawks this season and has a record of 1-0. Russell has a 16.83 goals-against-average and a .420 save percentage.
Greg Havalchak has appeared in 6 games this season and has a record of 2-4. Havalchack has a 14.07 goals-against-average and a .539 save percentage.
Boston will travel to Rochester to play their final game of the regular season when they face the Rattlers on Saturday, August 12th at 7:30 PM. Having qualified for the post-season, the Boston Cannons will travel to Los Angeles to play in the 2006 New Balance Championship Weekend, August 25th and 27th at the Home Depot Center.
Cannons Game Eleven Notes:
Boston attacker Brett Bucktooth was named MLL Cascade Rookie of the Week after scoring 4 goals in the Cannons loss to the Pride last weekend...Baltimore attacker Matt Ward was named MLL Cascade Rookie of the Week following his 9 points versus the Cannons in Week Eight... Boston defenseman Jamie Hanford and midfielder Drew Pfarr have previously played for the Bayhawks...Baltimore attacker Mark Millon, midfielder Paul Gillette, midfielder Kevin Frew, and defenseman Ronnie Staines previously played for the Cannons...Baltimore Coach Scott Hiller served as Cannons Head Coach from 2002-2005...Conor Gill is Boston's leading scorer against the Bayhawks with 48 points...The Cannons will recognize midfielder Mike Battista at halftime of Saturday's game. Battista retired earlier this season due to a concussion...Boston will also honor their 2006 Cannons Team Award Winners at the game...the Bayhawks lead the all-time series between these two teams 10 games to 5...The Boston Cannons have made it to the MLL post-season each season since the league began and are the only team to have done so.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 3, 2006
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- Dougherty Wins 2006 FedEx Coach of the Year - Philadelphia Barrage
- Cannons Host Baltimore in Final Home Game - Boston Cannons
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