Things noticed this week. The small mistakes that are causing games to be closer than they should be, are still occurring. Shot clock does not really factor into many games. Teams with the ability to be inventive with play are at an advantage. This means coaches and players that can audible on and of the field to disrupt the other team. Predictable play is more apparent as the season has gone on. Good coaching and teachable moments is seen on the side line with most teams. Some coaches still think yelling at players works. The top five are closer then ever making for a great end of season and tournament. There is a race for the bottom three. Officiating can be suspect, but they are the officials.
FCA Vs. Hawks (watched it in it’s entirety… I want to start to by saying that FCA has improved on the defensive side of the ball and has limited their turnovers over simple mistakes like shot clock and offsides (apparent in the first half). FCA came out strong during the game by setting the tempo of the game to suit their play and their offense. Quickly 2 goals up, FCA had the Hawks on the their heals playing catch up. In typical Hawks fashion they started to come back and stay in the game. FCA was scrappy and playing hard defensively adjusting slightly better then before causing loose balls and picking up some of those ground balls. This had the feeling that FCA had a better than average chance of winning. Hawks was very predictable in their play. Passing the ball around precisely in the same direction to the same position over and over again eventually shooting the ball at the top left of the alley by the same player, There was very little delineation from this approach with a few attempts at goal from behind the crease. You have to give hawks credit for playing the odds that their best shooter would eventually get goals to go. Which in turn causing for a 5-5 tie. FCA’s first half offense was very similar using their strongest two players as their goal production from the top of the alley and the rest of the offense as a supporting cast. By the end of the first half there was a sense of excitement with both teams as it could have gone either way, Enter the second half. The third quarter was sloppy with only one goal being scored by Hawks. Did each team’s sense of energy and solid play stay on the sideline? I guess so. Turnovers galore, over thrown passes, and simply put poor play caused for a lack luster attempt to turning this into an exciting game. Quarter 4 was better for one team and worst for the other. Hawks pulled their stuff together and used their gained turnovers to their advantage scoring 4 goals with 5 minutes left. FCA’s defense was completely lost on everything and the more goals Hawks scored the less they seemed to work to get the ball to the offense. Every attempt FCA tried to clear the ball to their offense to keep them in the game was turned over. I think I counted 2 maybe 3 offensive possessions that came close to starting a run. FCA’s offense was taken out of the game most of the second half keeping them to zero goals and a handful of shots. This game clearly showed how Hawks are a team that has a set and predictable manner of play, that uses solid fundamental stick skills to win games. It demonstrated that FCA has struggled with fundamentals, on field leadership, and the importance on working through adversity when you are down (Mental toughness and Mindset). Next week FCA will see 91. This should be a win for FCA and hopefully they enter tournament season with a win. However 91 seems to be picking up some steam and may upset FCA. Hawks will play Next Level. This should be a battle with the score going either way. If Hawks get goals early, controls their possessions, and has limited mistakes. They win. Question is can they play at the same speed next level plays.
Madlax Vs. TC This game was exciting with two top tier teams battling it out. Both teams play a a higher tempo than most of the others. The difference in this game was the approach to play. Madlax has a set format for running plays while TC is a bit more of the cuff and able to improvise on the field. TC game out early keeping Madlax at a distance. TC’s defense played well and was able to use their size and defensive IQ to limit the goals for Madlax. As it’s been seen before Madlax play 4 quarters and somehow always stays in games as what happened in this one. Eventually Madlax muscled back to get the tie. TC worked quickly to get the ball back and eventually got the game winner. Both TC and Madlax showed good control of not letting the emotions affect their play. This was a good and fundamental sound. game
Legends Vs Next Level Another exciting game for these two teams. This game was a game of who makes the least mistakes. While Next Level took the lead on various occasions and at one point seem to pull away. Legends is known for staying in games and consistently driving through adversity. A team with fight and grit. With minutes left legends muscled through Next level to bring the game to one goal. With a minute left Legends regained the ball and fell short of going into over time. This game was a battle between each team and themselves. It could have gone either way. Looking back over the last three season legends has gone from 1-6 to 3-4 to 4-2. Next week Legends will have a battle with TC. This will be another battle but am convinced that with regrouping and the toughness this team brings it will favor them in the game. Next Level plays Hawks. If next Level wants to beat Hawks they cannot make mistakes and be less predictable to keep them on their toes.
Predators Red Vs. Team 91 Well there we go Team 91 got their win. Unfortunately at the cost of the newest member of the elite division. Didn’t watch this game however, I think these two teams are closer than we think. If they were to play 10 time Preds would win about 40%-50% of the time. I’d give the advantage to 91 for sheer experience. I think Preds has more depth on the team where as 91 uses their most skilled exclusively. Next week Preds play Madlax. Would like to see Preds finish off the season strong with a solid showing against Madlax. Team 91 will play FCA. If 91 wants to make a statement about them being ready for elite they need to have a convincing win.
Team 91 Vs. TC Did TC rest their starters? Where they missing players? What happened? I can imagine that other players where given more playing time being that TC would not lose any ground int he ranking with a lose. If this s the case, good for the coaches for recognizing this and providing players that may not see the field as often the opportunity to play more.
Season Finally predictions
Next Level vs. Annapolis Hawks - Hawks +2 Legends vs. True Chesapeake - Legends +2 FCA vs. Team 91 - FCA +4. Possible Spoiler Predators vs. Madlax +5
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