Titans Face Pair Of Key Games As Playoff Push Begins
March 11, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
Even with last weekend's disappointing loss to Buffalo, the Orlando Titans have a chance to establish themselves as one of the elite team in the East this weekend when they take on a pair of division foes.
On Friday, the Titans (4-3) play host to the Philadelphia Wings (2-7) at Amway Arena; before traveling to Western New York for a Saturday night match-up with the Rochester Knighthawks (5-4). The games are critically important for the Titans, as they reach and pass the midway point in their 2010 season.
Currently the Titans sit in second place in the East Division, percentage points ahead of Rochester and Boston. With a victory Saturday night against the Knighthawks, the Titans would win the season series and would gain the first tie-breaker should the two teams end up tied in the division at the end of the season. A win Friday would accomplish the same thing against the Wings.
At 2-7, Philadelphia is bringing up the bottom of the conference, but Buffalo was in the same position last week before upsetting the Titans. "There's a lot of talent in this league," Titans Head Coach Ed Comeau said. "I knew we were going to get a great test in Buffalo last week and they were able to ride some early momentum to a victory against us. It's going to be important that we take this weekend one game at a time and focus all our intention on Philadelphia. They have been playing well of late and I expect that we are going to see their best efforts on Friday night."
"This game is critical for us to get back in the playoff picture," Wings head coach Dave Huntley said during this week's conference call of NLL Head Coaches. "We haven't had the type of season that we expected but if we have any chance to turn this thing around it has to start this weekend."
The key to both games for Orlando will be trying to avoid the slow start. Against Buffalo last week, the Titans fell behind 8-2 in the game and could never get closer than two goals. It its double overtime loss to Boston three weeks ago, the team fell behind 4-1 at the start of the game.
"NLL games are a lot about momentum," Comeau added. "We got off to a horrible start last week and although we played better in the second half, we could never overcome the deficit."
Against the Wings, Orlando will be looking for ways to slow down forwards Kyle Wailes and Drew Westervelt. The two rank one-two on Philadelphia's roster in goals, assists and points. Westervelt torched the Titans for three goals in the first game this season, while Wailes did not play.
"It's important for us to realize that this is not the same Wings team that we played back on Jan. 8," Comeau added. "They now have a very capable offensive threat in Kyle Wailes and they are stronger on defense."
Wailes leads the team in goals (16), assists (22) and points (38) despite missing the season opener.
Orlando will try to get their offense back on track. After scoring a season-high 16 goals against division leader Toronto on Feb. 27, the team managed just 10 goals last week against Buffalo.
"Give Buffalo goalie Ken Montour a lot of credit, he made some a bunch of highlight reel type saves against us," Comeau said. "But we also didn't take advantage of some early opportunities. We need to get our offense off early this week."
The Titans defense has continued to play well despite two losses in their last three games and still leads the NLL in allowing just 10.0 goals per game.
Although Comeau said he does not want to look ahead to Saturday's game, the Titans will face a challenge in slowing down star forward John Grant Jr. and a Rochester team that is 3-1 this season at home and is coming off of a bye week.
"You always have to worry about having fresh legs when you are playing the second game of a back-to-back," Comeau added. "But we have some good depth and we'll switch some players out for the second game. Rochester is a very good team at home and it's a tough building for the visitors, but we'll worry about that on Saturday. Right now our focus is on Philadelphia."
TITANS NOTES: Orlando currently leads the NLL in fewest goals allowed per game at 10.00, slightly ahead of East Division leading Toronto (10.10) and defending NLL champs Calgary (10.13)Orlando goaltender Matt Vinc remains the NLL leader in saves per game (41.4), saves percentage (.808) and goals allowed per game (9.52)transition star Jarett Park missed a third straight game with a torn labrumhe continues to receive treatment from team physicians and trainers and is still listed as questionable for this weekforward Casey Powell needs 10 points to reach 300 for his NLL careerPowell's 3.14 goals per game is tops among all NLL players and his 22 goals this season is one short of the league lead despite have played in two fewer games than anyone in the top 10Orlando has outscored opponents 45-27 in the second and third quarters of games this season and has held opponents to just 1.28 goals in the third quarter (9 totals goals in third quarter of seven games)Kayde Shamrock, a senior at Eustis High School, is this week's Orlando Titans High School Hero and will drop the ceremonial first ballKayde spent last summer in Ireland working with troubled youthshe is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and instructs three year-olds at Vacation Bible Schoolfour members of the Titans (Jordan Hall, Pat Merrill, Matt Vinc and practice squad goalie Angus Dineley) have been named to the final roster of Team Canada for this year's FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester EnglandThe four will compete against teammates Matt Zash, Stephen Peyser, and Ryan Boyle, who were named to the final roster of Team USA earlier this monthBrendan Mundorf, who has played with the Titans for the last three years and is currently on Orlando's Protected/Refused to Report List, is also a member of Team USA.
GAME BOX
The Games
Friday: Philadelphia (2-7) at Orlando (4-3)
Saturday: Orlando (4-3) at Rochester (5-4)
Radio
Titans Radio Network
ESPN 1080 AM
WKQI 1240 AM
Television
None
Internet
Both Games Livestreamed on NLL.com
Friday (Rochester Channel)
Saturday (Orlando Channel)
Series Records
Vs. Philadelphia (Orlando leads 5-4)
Vs. Rochester (Orlando leads 6-3)
Orlando Leaders
Jordan Hall (11 G, 30 A, 41 points)
Casey Powell (22-17-39)
Pat Maddalena (10-27-37)
Philadelphia Leaders
Kyle Wailes (16-22-38)
Drew Westervelt (15-20-35)
Mat Giles (13-18-31)
Rochester Leaders
John Grant Jr. (20-31-51)
Shawn Williams (11-25-36)
Craig Point (20-7-27)
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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 11, 2010
- Edmonton Rush Game Preview - Edmonton Rush
- Titans Face Pair Of Key Games As Playoff Push Begins - Orlando Titans
- Wings Look To Play Spoiler In Back-To-Back Weekend Games On Friday-Saturday - Philadelphia Wings
- Toronto Rock Host Buffalo Bandits Friday - Toronto Rock
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