Seibald Scores OT Game Winner to Send Cannons to Playoffs
Published on July 16, 2015 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 16, 2015) -- The Boston Cannons started the 2015 Major League Lacrosse season on no one's radar when possible playoffs teams were being discussed. Max Seiblad, one of the key off-season trade acquisitions, scored the game winning goal tonight in Annapolis, MD giving the Cannons a 9-8 win over Chesapeake that clinched a playoff berth for the Cannons for the first time since 2012.
On a night where scoring was at a premium, the Cannons and Bayhawks went nearly 26 minutes at the start of the game with a scoreless tie. The Cannons defense was smoldering, and Bayhawks goalie Tyler Fiorito made 8 saves in the first quarter as neither team found the back of the net in the opening quarter.
Fiorito had the Cannons number all night, making an astounding 31 saves on the night. It wasn't until under five minutes to go in the half that Will Manny found the back of Chesapeake's net to break the scoreless tie. It was a classic Cannons fast break that led to the first goal as Scott Ratliff fed Manny for the goal. The Cannons scored the second goal two minutes later on another fast break, this time Wells Stanwick scoring, his fourth of the season. The Bayhawks finally beat Cannons goalie Jordan Burke after going scoreless for over 29 minutes. Matt Danowski scored 37 seconds later to send the game into halftime tied at 2-2.
It was all Chesapeake at the start of the 3rd quarter and following goals by Hunt and Abbott Chesapeake led 4-2, their largest lead of the game. It wasn't until the final 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter that the Cannons found their scoring groove. Manny netted his second goal of the game, followed by rookie John Glesener and Davey Emala finished up the 3rd quarter scoring to give the Cannons a 5-4 lead going into the final quarter.
With all the possible tie breaker scenarios lined up, the Cannons would clinch a playoff spot with a win or a loss by 2 goals or less. Knowing that, the Bayhawks came out firing to start the fourth and 4 minutes in they held a 1 goal lead. Ryan Young, who had not played in over a month, scored a gritty unassisted goal to tie it back up, and Brent Adams followed with a running blast to put the Cannons back up less than 6 minutes to play. The Bayhawks tied the game up with less than 2 minutes to play and regulation ended ties up 8-8. With the most the Cannons could lose in overtime being a 2 point goal, the game going into OT mean Boston has clinched a playoff spot.
Overtime went back and forth with both teams having multiple possessions, including a man-up possession for the Bayhawks following a Buchanan penalty. While the Cannons did not need the win, the playoff celebration was more joyous as the Cannons captain Max Seibald ended the game with a blast 5 minutes into OT.
Scott Ratliff was named the Coca-Cola Player of the Game. Ratliff had 1 assist, and led the Cannons transition leading to several goals, and collected 7 ground balls. Ratliff was also tasked with covering Bayhawks leading playmaker, Joe Walters. He held Walters to 2 assists and was key in frustrating the Bayhawks offense, while leading the Cannons transition game.
The Cannons playoff situation is still to be determined as far as seeding, game location and opponent. While Boston is currently in 2nd place at 8-5, they can still finish in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place depending on other results this weekend and their regular season finale next Saturday at Ohio.
The Cannons will wrap up the 2015 regular season with a trip to Ohio to take on the Machine next Saturday, July 25 at 7pm. The game can be seen live on ESPN3.com.
Game Notes:
- Boston will play in the MLL Playoffs for the first time since 2012
- Jordan Burke made 16 saves, giving him 910 for his career, he is the 6th goalie ever to surpass 900 saves.
- Mitch Belisle played in his 80th game for the Cannons, 3rd on the Cannons all time list.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 16, 2015
- Seibald Scores OT Game Winner to Send Cannons to Playoffs - Boston Cannons
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