The Premier Lacrosse League took a break from the high stakes, high intensity battles we’ve gotten used to watching since the league launched in 2019. Instead, this weekend in San Jose was all about having fun and making the most of the league’s second All-Star weekend.

In a game featuring players getting reps out of position, altered faceoff rules, defenders taking every offensive opportunity they can get and more behind-the-back passes and shots than you could even imagine, the Grant Ament-led Adversaries leaned on some Archers chemistry to hold off the Blaze Riorden-led Defenders 23-20 Sunday in sunny California.

Tim Troutner earned MVP honors, the second straight goalie to claim the hardware to start off the league’s history. He made 24 saves and produced the goal of the day, a behind-the-back move to show that even goaltenders know how to handle a stick.

“I was just out there having fun, really,” the Redwoods goalie said on the NBC broadcast. “That’s what it’s all about here, just have fun.”

BEHIND THE BACK GOALIE GOAL @PremierLacrosse pic.twitter.com/jVWo5xgWv8

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 19, 2021

His goal wasn’t the only one that upped the fun factor, as Atlas LC’s Bryan Costabile made sure the crowd was entertained after rubber hit mesh, too. After scoring in the first half, he took off his helmet and pulled off an impressive backflip.

“In normal games, I’ve floated the idea by a few of my coaches and they’ve all been very much against it,” Costabile said. “I was like, ‘I’ll wait for the perfect opportunity.’”

Atlas coach Ben Rubeor may not have loved watching that on TV, but everyone else did.

Adversaries held off a late surge from Defenders, who notched the final four points of the game in the last two minutes of action. But Ament, playing in his first professional All-Star Game, ultimately showed off his GM skills. The Archers attack trio of Ament, Marcus Holman and Will Manny all found a groove, with Manny notching nine points with six goals.

But it was Troutner who ultimately stole the show, helping out Oakland Lacrosse in the process. The PLL vowed $500 to the organization for every save made in the PLL All-Star Game. By the end of the day, $17,500 went their way — $12,000 because of Troutner.

“You kind of play a little relaxed, and that helped me in the long run,” Troutner said.

The PLL also held skills competitions Sunday. Claiming trophies were Dhane Smith (freestyle), Romar Dennis (fastest player), Kyle Bernlohr (goalie competition), Holman (accuracy) and Jake Froccaro (fastest shot).

NOTEWORTHY

The PLL saw a long injury list this week, including some players who were slated to be All Stars. Among the injured were All Star captain Blaze Riorden, Paul Rabil, Lyle Thompson, Matt Rambo, Connor Kelly, Drew Snider, Brodie Merrill, Jake Bernhardt, Michael Ehrhardt and Bryce Young. ... The PLL changed faceoff rules for the All-Star Game, eliminating clamps in the second quarter and having a hockey-style faceoff in the third. … Redwoods picked up long-stick midfielder Kyle Hartzell this week. He spent the first two PLL seasons on the Atlas, but he has been in the player pool this year. … Paul Rabil made an appearance on CNBC this week, sharing that the league had its two highest ratings days yet over the past two weeks. He was also named to the Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list this week.

UP NEXT

The PLL returns to regular season action next week in Colorado Springs, with only two weeks remaining before the playoffs begin. All times EST:

• Atlas vs. Chrome, 9 p.m. Friday (Peacock)

• Archers vs. Redwoods, 7:15 p.m. Saturday (Peacock)

• Waterdogs vs. Whipsnakes, 10 p.m. Saturday (Peacock)

• Chaos vs. Chrome, 2 p.m. Sunday (Peacock)

• Atlas vs. Cannons, 4:45 p.m. Sunday (Peacock)