Nationals and Cannons Battle Tonight
May 12, 2012 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
The Hamilton Nationals battle the Boston Cannons tonight at Harvard Stadium at 7:00 p.m. The contest will be carried live on ESPN3. Hamilton is 3-3 lifetime against Boston. The game is a rematch of the 2011 MLL Finals, which was won by the Cannons, 10-9.
The Hamilton Nationals dropped their season opener, 15-6, to the Denver Outlaws last Saturday. With the National Lacrosse League Playoffs now in the divisional finals and the college season in the field of 16, Hamilton was able to activate eight players. Coming back from last yearis six-time MLL Defensive Player of the Year Brodie Merrill, along with Kevin Crowley, Geoff Snider and Jeremy Thompson. Making their MLL debuts tonight are Dan Coates and Adam Jones, and college draft picks Kiel Matisz (Robert Morris) and Gerry Reilly (Georgetown). The first quarter is the key tonight for setting the tone of the game.
"We need to limit their runs and not give up a 7-0 run like we did against Denver," said Nationals Head Coach Regy Thorpe. "They play well at home; we need to get off to a good start."
The defending champ Cannons are 2-0 after defeating the Charlotte Hounds 20-12 last Saturday. Matt Poskay led Boston with a five-goal performance, while Ryan Boyle added a goal with five assists. Meanwhile, Mike Stone posted a three-goal effort for the Cannons. The win extended the Cannons' regular season winning streak to five games, dating back to last season. Goalie Jordan Burke is 2-0 this season with the second best goals-against average in the MLL at 7.50. Paul Rabil is tied for second in the MLL with 11 points (5+6) in two games. Boyle is first in the league with 10 assists and tied for second with 11 points. The game is the third and final game of a three-game homestand. The Cannons are the MLL's highest-scoring team with 35 goals. Boston enters the game in a three-way tie for first place along with the Denver Outlaws and Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Hamilton makes its home debut on Friday, May 18th with an 11:00 a.m. contest against the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Ron Joyce Stadium at McMaster University. The Nationals will host over 1,700 kids from the Pen Pal Program at the game. For ticket information, contact the Nationals Ticket Office at (905) 768-2225. The game will air locally on Sunday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. on Cable 14.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 12, 2012
- Hamilton Nationals Fall to Cannons - Hamilton Nationals
- Cannons Beat Hamilton Nationals, 18-9, in 2011 Championship - Boston Cannons
- Goalie Gabel Stonewalls Chesapeake, Lifts Rochester - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Hounds Earn First Franchise Win, Upend Machine 18-15 - Charlotte Hounds
- Nationals and Cannons Battle Tonight - Hamilton Nationals
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