As the brightest stars of the Premier Lacrosse League shined at the All-Star Game three weeks ago, a pair of young goalies stole the show.

Atlas’ Jack Concannon backstopped Team Baptiste in the final quarter, limiting Team Rambo’s offensive firepower en route to the game’s Most Valuable Player honors. Blaze Riorden of the Chaos showed his dynamic ability for Team Rambo, performing well both in goal and on offense.

It was the latest chapter in a year-long coming-out party for the two keepers. The duo weren’t just first-time All-Stars. They’re first-time starters, too.

Riorden and Concannon have finally been given the chance to establish themselves as some of the best young goalies in the world after previously serving as backups in Major League Lacrosse.

“It made it worth all those practices, sticking with it,” Riorden said.

Riorden, formerly of Albany, entered the MLL in 2016 with Rochester. He stayed with the franchise after its move to Dallas, but never played more than six games in a season.

Hofstra grad Concannon had a shorter time on the bench, just one season, but only played 23 minutes in 2018 for the Florida Launch.

“That first year out of college, playing in a professional league, it’s a huge transitional period,” Concannon said. “The speed of the game is just so much quicker. There’s different rules. It takes time to get used to it, even the shot speed alone.”

Neither really had a path to start previously, at least not one without switching teams. Both sat behind established veterans, with Riorden backing up John Galloway and Concannon doing the same with Austin Kaut.

While there were certainly some frustrations with limited time, it gave them both a chance to study some of the best.

“The three years I sat behind Johnny, I learned a lot,” Riorden said. “I think it just helped me get to this point. … This is four years in the making.”

9. Kickin’ it with Blaze Riorden
Riorden was simply phenomenal in cage and registered 16 saves including this kick save for the @PLLChaos on Sunday. He is the first of 3 former @UAlbanyMLax players to make our list.pic.twitter.com/DHIooYFwoi

— Pro Lacrosse Talk (@ProLacrosseTalk) June 13, 2019

The establishment of the PLL gave the pair a new opportunity for playing time. When the initial rosters were unveiled, Riorden seemed like a safe bet to get a starting chance, but Concannon had to beat out one of the most electric personalities in the league, Scott Rodgers.

“Coming into it, I knew I was going to be fighting for playing time,” Concannon said. “I kind of went in with that mentality, not the mentality that I was going in here and maybe not play.”

Rodgers went down with pancreatitis during training camp in Florida and Concannon stepped into the starting spot. He made 20 saves in his PLL debut, an 11-9 loss to Redwoods, and with strong play since has quieted thoughts of inserting Rodgers as the starter now that he’s back and healthy.

I mean coooome ooon. Jack Concannon is amazing! pic.twitter.com/qrF9gmEfLp

— Atlas Lacrosse Club (@PLLAtlas) June 16, 2019

“The entire experience as a whole in the PLL has been the best lacrosse experience I’ve been a part of thus far,” Concannon said.

Riorden, trailing only Whipsnakes’ Kyle Bernlohr in save percentage, has enjoyed the most team success of the two. His Chaos sit tied for first place heading into this weekend’s games in San Jose.

“All the hype and stuff has been great, but it’s all about the winning for me,” Riorden said.

Including Redwoods rookie Tim Troutner, half the PLL teams are riding with first-time professional starters. And, amazingly, all three of the newbies earned a trip to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game.

So, are we seeing a new wave of goalies?

“I think it’s ultra-competitive and these guys just needed an opportunity,” Redwoods head coach Nat St. Laurent said. “I told Paul Rabil that a couple weeks ago, ‘The thing that I love about this league is it’s provided guys with another opportunity to really shine on the professional stage.’

“I think there is a bit of a changing of the guard.”