Titans Prepare For First Round Of NLL Playoffs Saturday
May 1, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
New York, N.Y. - After the come from behind 12-11 win over the defending champion Rochester Knighthawks at the Garden on April 26th, the New York Titans propelled themselves into the first round of the 2008 NLL playoffs for the first time in the franchise's two year history. This week, the Titans prepare to take on the Minnesota Swarm at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, May 3rd at 8pm ET for their first round play-off match.
All four teams in the East enter the first round of the playoffs this weekend tied with a 10-6 record. However Minnesota enters the weekend as the second seed in the East and New York is the third seed, as Minnesota beat New York 2-0 this season. Buffalo notched the first seed because of their record against Eastern Conference teams. Philadelphia is in fourth place.
"The guys have just been building their character all season," said Titans head coach Adam Mueller. "If anyone told me at the beginning of the season that we'd have to go 9-2 at the end of the season to, make it to the playoffs I don't know if I would have thought we would have done it. It's been a good year and I think the guys did a great job, especially in the second half in the season."
The Titans are currently on fire, winning nine of their last 11 games. They're the top team in the league in power play goals with 60 and second year goalie Matt Vinc has been a brick wall recently, winning the last four games and ending the season with the third highest overall saves in the league with 562.
Facing Minnesota in the first round will be the toughest test of the year for the Titans. Minnesota is the only team this season that they have played more than once and have not beaten.
"We're breaking down some video and we've had some success this year against their power play unlike other teams this season," commented Minnesota's head coach Duane Jacobs about the Swarm's preparation for the Titans this weekend. "But, we're not taking New York lightly at all, even though we've beaten them twice. They are the hottest team in the league right now."
The Titans lost to Minnesota twice on the road this season, once on February 8th and again on April 5th. Despite the Titans record against the Swarm, the team likes their chances on Saturday.
"They've beaten us four times (in 2007 and 2008) - we have all the respect in the world for those guys," Mueller said about the Swarm. "But we're tired of losing to them. We've got to beat them."
The Titans first round playoff game against the Minnesota Swarm will take place on Saturday, May 3rd at 8pm ET at the Xcel Energy Center. For fans interested in watching the game live via webcast, please log onto www.nytitans.com and click on the B2 Networks banner.
About the New York Titans
The New York Titans are an indoor professional lacrosse team that plays at Madison Square Garden. The Titans' 2007 season was their inaugural season in the National Lacrosse League. The Titans roster features world famous forwards Syracuse All-American Casey Powell and Princeton All-American Ryan Boyle.
For more information about the Titans, log on to www.nytitans.com. 2008 Season and Group Tickets are now available by calling 888-8TITANS.
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- Titans Prepare For First Round Of NLL Playoffs Saturday - Orlando Titans
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