LAX Sports !

By Sean Connolly

As I predicted. John Grant and the Rattlers absolutely destroyed the Outlaws this weekend with a 16-6 beating. The Rattlers set themselves apart from every other team this season, and they did the same this past weekend.

They were led by the MLL MVP John Grant and Joe Walters stepped up big time for the Rattlers this weekend. He was named the Championship Weekend MVP, as he should as he had 6 goals and 5 assists in just two games…the most important two games of the season.

This whole season the only team I could see taking down the Rattlers were the Outlaws. They had the only team in the league that could possibly compete with the complete team of the Rattlers. But, this weekend they proved me wrong.

As it turns out, surprisingly, the Philadelphia Barrage ended up playing the Rattlers better. In the MLL Playoff Semifinal between the Barrage and Rattlers, the game went into overtime and for several moments it seemed like an upset was imminent. But luckily for John Grant and company they overcame the tough minded Barrage. The game on Sunday though was not nearly as close.

The Rattlers dominated throughout and it makes me wonder if the Barrage won in overtime against the Rattlers if they would be champions. Let’s put it this way if the Outlaws played the way they did on Sunday against the Barrage, the Barrage would be the New York Giants of Major League Lacrosse…Ok maybe I went too far, but these Lacrosse comparisons are tough!

By Sean Connolly

With wins by the Barrage and Riptide the postseason has been sorted out putting an end to a fantastic regular season. The Philadelphia Barrage beat Boston last night to make it to their 3rd straight postseason. Los Angeles Riptide made it in last night by defeating the San Fransisco Dragons. But, quite frankly neither team stands a chance.

They’ve played well all season but the Riptide and Barrage are simply no match for the overly talented and powerful Denver Outlaws and Rochester Rattlers. The Rattlers and Outlaws seem to be destined for a match up in the final pitting Rochester’s John Grant against Denver’s Brian Langtry. The Western Conference Champion Outlaws have put up the most dominant numbers in the entire league and I’m afraid that only the Rattlers can stop them.

So, what are my predictions for the postseason? It’s simple really…The Outlaws destroy the Riptide, The Rattlers demolish the Barrage, and we’re set up with one of the best finals the MLL has ever produced between the Outlaws and Rattlers. Although I love how John Grant has been playing I think this is Brian Langtry’s year as he and the Outlaws will leave Boston with the championship.

It might sound lame but the definite winner of all this is the fan. Lacrosse has made a huge move this year with the college championships and this year’s MLL season. Finally lacrosse fans can unite and actually be able to watch their favorite sport on television, even if it is on ESPN2.