Rock in hard place against Swarm
NLL’s highest-scoring team will put Toronto defence to test in East Division final
Whether it’s his starting goalie or the quirky new format for the National Lacrosse League division finals, Toronto Rock coach Matt Sawyer is focusing in on one detail for Game 1 against the Georgia Swarm on Saturday — win.
“As far as strategy for the format, it’s not something you are going to be too concerned with,” Sawyer said Thursday as his club readied for the East final, with a tough decision to make on whether Nick Rose or Brandon Miller starts in goal.
“Any coach will tell you that you try and win the first game, that’s what you’re going for.”
Under a new NLL format, the division finals are two-game affairs, with the lower seed hosting Game 1. The higher seed — Georgia finished first in the East Division during the regular season while Toronto placed second — hosts Game 2. If the teams split the two games, a 10-minute “minigame” will be played immediately to decide the division champion.
The division winners (Colorado and Saskatchewan are playing in the West Division final) advance to a best-of-three Champions Cup final.
“If you were to pick which game you wanted to be good in, then you’d pick the second game and carry that momentum into the minigame if it’s played,” Sawyer said.
“But if you win the first game, then (the opponent) has to expend a lot of energy to be good in the second game. If you can go into that second game with a win under your belt, any coach will tell you that’s what you want.”
It is a departure from the onegame, winner-takes-all format used in 2016. However this plays out, the Rock have a tough, high-scoring opponent.
The Swarm led the league with 266 goals in 18 games (14.78 average). That sets up an intriguing battle with the Rock, whose defence and goaltending have been a big part of the team’s success this season.
Sawyer has a pivotal decision to make with his goalies, but in reality, it’s a decision based on a luxury of riches.
Rose, who started all18 regular-season games, and Miller, who relieved Rose in the last two games and backstopped the Rock to victories, each deserve the nod.
“I’ve made the decision and I’ve told both goalies,” Sawyer said, adding that he won’t release the starter, partly to keep the Swarm in the dark.
“What I’ve been saying is Rose started all 18 regular season games, he’s been at the top of all the goaltending stats, and he’s in the discussion for goalie of the year. Brandon had hip surgery and it took six months to recover. We activated him in February, and it took maybe six weeks for him to feel good about his game. There’s no denying what he’s (Miller) done for us … it’s a good problem to have.”
Whoever the goalie is, he’ll need to be at the very top of his game. Georgia boasts five players with 30 goals or more, including the Thompson brothers (Lyle, the NLL leading scorer, Myles, and Jerome — brother No. 4, Jeremy, plays for Saskatchewan).
Randy Statts, from Six Nations, Ont., and Bowmanville native Shayne Jackson, are also forces with the Swarm.
“All year, our goaltending and defence has been our strength, we allowed the second fewest goals in the league, by one goal . . . but we’ve also put up 17 and 18 goals in our last two games, so our offence has been clicking too,” Sawyer said.
“Georgia is a loaded team. They’ve had high, first-round picks the past few years and they’re reaping the rewards now.
“We’ve played them twice in the regular season, we split the games, and they both went into overtime. And both games, the teams tied it up with their last possession. So it’s been close, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”