PLL Week 5: Cannons' Star Continues Sophomore Breakout

The Waterdogs and the Archers are sitting pretty as the Premier Lacrosse League heads into its All-Star break, while a trio of teams unexpectedly sit at 1-4.

After a pair of sold-out nights in Fairfield, Connecticut, the PLL has officially hit the halfway point of the regular season. The Whipsnakes, typically championship contenders, sit in the cellar, alongside the Chrome and the Atlas. With the rest of the league above .500, each team has work to do.

Of course, there’s still time, especially considering the PLL’s playoff structure which lets in seven of the eight squads. Fortunes can turn around quickly in this league, but adjustments need to be made.

WATERDOGS RING IN A WIN

Dillon Ward flirted with the PLL’s record for saves in a game, while his Waterdogs teammates mounted a 6-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure a 16-13 win against the Whips Friday night.

The Waterdogs trailed 12-10 midway through the final frame, but the temperature in the room shifted greatly after Jack Hannah hammered a two-pointer to tie it. Rookie Thomas McConvey scored twice as the Dogs, fresh off receiving their championship rings, found the back of the net four more times to take the lead for good.

“You had to separate the ring ceremony from the task at hand, which was tonight’s game,” Waterdogs coach Andy Copelan said. “That was a gutsy win. Half one, we weren’t moving at a pace we’re accustomed to the Waterdogs moving at. Halftime, I think we really cleaned that up, and [I’m] really proud of the second-half effort in particular.“

Ward made 13 saves in the first half, on pace to best Jack Concannon’s record of 22, but only needed to secure three more in the second half.

Goaltending was also a story on the other side of the field, as defending PLL Goalie of the Year Kyle Bernlohr left with an arm injury during the first half. He laid on the turf for quite a while after appearing to catch his arm on the goalpost while crossing the crease to make a save. Thankfully, he was seen giving thumbs up to those in the crowd while sporting a sling coming out of the break. Brian Phipps took over.

“It’s not how we drew it up,” said Phipps, whose team dropped to a surprising 1-4.

CHAOS’ HOMETOWN HERO

Last year, it was Connor Kelly who shined in his home state by scoring an overtime winner for the Waterdogs in Fairfield. This summer, that spotlight moved to rookie Brian Minicus, who put up five points for the Chaos in a 15-11 win over the Atlas.

Minicus, a Darien product, accounted for a trio of goals and two assists, continuing to be a vital piece for the Chaos at X and around the net. He’s added a new element to an offense that traditionally relies on the Canadian two-man game.

“Just watching him is incredible,” Chaos coach Andy Towers said. “We knew when we were drafting him what we were getting. I don’t know if there’s a guy that’s a tougher cover. I think he went through three of their defensemen tonight. He’s just scratching the surface with what he can be.”

One of his assists came on the goal of the night for the Chaos, a Ryan Smith behind-the-back move that garnered SportsCenter attention.

Ryan Smith are you serious

An #SCTop10 worthy goal @PLLChaos pic.twitter.com/vSsMZEX4Q6

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 16, 2023

ARCHERS STIFLE REDWOODS

Wes Berg appeared to give his Redwoods some life when he ended the first half’s scoring, cutting the Archers’ lead to 5-3 in a defensive battle. Little did he know, the Woods were finished for the night.

The Archers shut out the Redwoods offense over the final 34 minutes, winning 10-3 in the lowest scoring game in league history.

Mac O’Keefe scored four goals, Brett Dobson made 10 saves and the Archers defense held Ryder Garnsey — tied for the league lead in points — to one goal. The Archers caused nine turnovers, and the shutdown effort helping the offense mount a game-closing 5-0 run.

CANNONS POUNCE ON CHROME

Asher Nolting moved into a tie for the league lead in points thanks to a four-goal, one-assist effort, as the Cannons jumped ahead early and never looked back in a 12-6 win against the Chrome.

The Chrome, who have been prone to slow starts, didn’t even get a shot on Colin Kirst until the 3:20 mark in the first quarter. That allowed the Cannons to get out to a 4-0 lead in a game they never trailed.

Nolting’s success is even more impressive considering he was matched against reigning PLL Defensive Player of the Year JT Giles-Harris. He’s now one point away from matching his rookie year total in just half the games.

NOTEWORTHY

The Whipsnakes lost Matt Rambo to injury late against the Waterdogs, with Jack Myers filling in on attack in the closing minutes. … The Cannons’ Matt Kavanagh is up to 15 points, already surpassing last year’s total of 13. … Rob Pannell sits a goal away from joining the 300 club for his career, a group Marcus Holman joined just last week. … The Waterdogs once again went without a faceoff specialist, with the Cannons following their lead with the same strategy this week. The tactic led to a pair of wins. … A pair of Chaos players got their first career goals (Tye Kurtz and Zach Geddes). … ESPN NFL analyst and noted lacrosse fan Dan Orlovsky was in attendance, as was New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider. … The Archers’ Grant Ament made his return from injury, notching a goal and an assist.

UP NEXT
ALL TIMES EASTERN

In Louisville, Kentucky

Saturday

All Star Skills Competition, 6 p.m.
All Star Game, 7:30 p.m.