Redwoods Win OT Thriller to Kick Off PLL Championship Series

Romar Dennis was the leading scorer in the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series last year, so it was only fitting that he took on a star role as the 2024 edition kicked off.

The PLL Championship Series features the top four finishers from last summer’s regular season playing in the Olympic-style Sixes format.

Dennis buried a big two-pointer late in the game and then scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the California Redwoods edged the Boston Cannons 26-25 in the first of two games on Wednesday at the St. James in Springfield, Va.

The game-winning goal from @romardennis! @PLLRedwoods win game one of the Championship Series against the @PLLCannons. pic.twitter.com/jpLR7cwpvD

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) February 15, 2024

In the other opening night game, the Philadelphia Waterdogs led throughout and beat the Utah Archers 21-18.

A stellar individual effort by Marcus Holman looked like it might be enough for the Boston Cannons in the event’s first game. Holman had nine points, including three 2-pointers, his last 2-pointer coming with 1:17 remaining in regulation to tie the game after California had jumped out early in the final quarter.

A Dennis two-pointer flipped the game back in the Redwoods favor, but Matt Campbell answered Dennis’ bomb by hitting a two-pointer with 33 seconds left to tie it for the Cannons and send the game to overtime.

The overtime didn’t last long. Attackman Rob Pannell, who had five goals and a pair of assists, showed his versatility by winning the OT faceoff, one of three faceoff wins for him in four tries on the night – the Sixes format only has faceoffs at the start of quarters. Dennis scored his game-winner on the opening possession.

Dennis had 34 points, fueled by 15 2-pointers, in last year’s Championship Series, helping the Atlas to a runner-up finish to Chrome. His performance helped him kickstart a season in which he was named an All-Star during the PLL’s traditional summer season.

The second game was a rematch of last year’s summer championship game, but featured vastly different rosters from just a few months ago, particularly for the Archers.

The Waterdogs relied on a trio of their proven veterans – USA gold medalists Kieran McArdle, Ryan Conrad and Michael Sowers to beat the Archers. McArdle poured in 12 points on five goals (2 2-pointers) and three assists, Sowers had three goals and five assists and Conrad had a hat trick.

Ronan Jacoby had a team-high five points for the Archers, including this gem of a goal.

RONAN JACOBY YOU'RE NOT REAL 

The former @RUmlax middie scores on this slick BTB goal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XfLBZdOA3M

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) February 15, 2024

The event takes a break on Thursday, but returns with another doubleheader on Friday. The two unbeaten teams, the Redwoods and Waterdogs, meet at 5:30 on ESPN2 and will be followed by the Archers against the Cannons at 7:30 on ESPN+.