Playoff chase couldn't be closer

Published on March 22, 2006 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


With less than a month remaining in the 2006 regular season, the league has seen an amazing level of parity. The teams are so close that a half game is all that separates first place and being left out of the playoffs entirely in both divisions. The best record in the league presently is 7-5, a mark that is shared by two teams: Rochester and Toronto. With four weeks remaining in the regular season, all eight playoff spots are still up for grabs.

The season enters Week 13 this weekend and last year at this time the Western Division playoff picture was fairly clear. In 2005 Calgary had already clinched a playoff berth in Week 12 after a weekend sweep improved their record to 8-3. Colorado clinched a playoff spot on the following weekend, leaving only one spot unclaimed. This season, with an additional playoff berth in each division, no team is in a position to clinch a playoff berth in Week 13, in either division. On Saturday the Jax face the San Jose Stealth who are 5-4 and sit in first place in the West Division.

"San Jose is a good match up for us and the expectation for this week is to be consistent with our effort and execution for 60 minutes. Right now we are in the thick of the race for the playoffs and 1st place," said Coach/GM Derek Keenan. "This is another game on the schedule that is not only important in the standings but to the development and growth of our franchise."

In their last match up on January 27 the Jax beat the Stealth in San Jose 15-8. Since then the teams have stayed fairly even in the standings, with the Jax tailing by only half a game.

Not only are ten teams vying for eight available playoff spots, but all ten teams are also fighting for the top seeds in their division, and home turf advantage throughout the playoffs.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 22, 2006


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