Orlando Titans Weekly Game Notes
Published on March 31, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
TITANS ATTEMPT TO SALVAGE ONE AGAINST BLAZERS
Although playoff positioning and maintaining a division lead are paramount in Orlando's thoughts heading into this week's game with Boston, a touch of revenge is also playing in the minds of the Titans. "The main thing is that we need to look at this game as vital to our standing in the East," Team Captain Casey Powell said. "But you never want to lose to a division rival three times in the regular season. We sort of let the last game we had with them slip away from us (12-11 double overtime loss on Feb. 20) so we'll have some extra motivation going for us." The Blazers are one of the hottest teams in the NLL. After a 1-3 start, the team ripped off five wins in their next seven games before cooling off a little last week in a 13-7 loss to Philadelphia. At 6-6, the Blazers are just a game-and-a-half behind Orlando for first place in the East. "Boston is a big, physical team that presents a lot of challenges on both ends of the floor," defenseman Stephen Peyser added. "With only a game or two separating first from fifth place, every game is important."
TITANS MAGIC NUMBER THREE
Because Orlando owns the tie-breaker against Rochester and Philadelphia, the Titans "Magic Number' for securing a playoff bid is now three. Any combination of three losses by Rochester or three wins by the Titans, along with any combination of two Titans wins or Philadelphia losses, will guarantee that the Titans will finish no lower than fourth place in the Eastern Division - thus clinching a playoff berth. At 7-4, however, the Titans are setting their sights a lot higher. Should the Titans win the Eastern Division they would gain home field advantage throughout the first two rounds of the post-season. Orlando's path to a division title will not be easy. The team has games left with Boston (6-6), Washington (9-3), Minnesota (5-6), Buffalo (6-6) and Philadelphia (4-8). The Philadelphia game will be a make-up game from a Feb. 6 postponement (blizzard).
HOME NOT SO SWEET
Perhaps it can be explained by parity, but home field advantage isn't always so much of an advantage in the National Lacrosse League. Through 64 games this season, the home team is 36-28 (.563 inning percentage), but since Feb. 19, NLL home teams have won just 11 of 28 games (.393 winning percentage). What home teams have defended their turf best in 2010? Washington 5-1, Edmonton 4-1, Minnesota 3-1, Orlando 4-2 and Boston 4-2, are all playing .667 or better at home. Which team struggles the most at home? Colorado is winless (0-6) with two regular season home games to go.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 31, 2010
- Three Teams With Chance To Clinch This Weekend - NLL
- National Lacrosse League Announces New Video Game - NLL
- Philadelphia Wings Goalie Brandon Miller Named NLL Defensive Player Of The Week - Philadelphia Wings
- Lewis Ratcliff Named Overall Player Of The Week - NLL
- Minnesota Swarm Begins Final Stretch Of The Regular Season - Minnesota Swarm
- Minnesota Swarm To Fight Breast Cancer At The Hive - Minnesota Swarm
- Orlando Titans Weekly Game Notes - Orlando Titans
- Knighthawks Hall Of Fame To Induct Three Legends - Rochester Knighthawks
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