All Time Series: Boston leads 5-4
The newcomers to the playoffs, the Spinners, have had a complete opposite path to battle for the trophy. Up until the final three weeks of the season, Philadelphia had only lost to the reigning champs in the DC Current. The squad was primed to run away with the conference. Then came the final weeks, and the rest of the teams improved their play while Philadelphia remained the same, going 1-3 in the final weeks. I would not call it complacency, just a different attitude towards the game. It was simple, the team was not as clean and did not use their slow methodical offense that had been so successful earlier in the year. With that all being said the Spinners were fantastic this season and have a chance to win a championship in their own backyard.
The newcomers to the playoffs, the Spinners, have had a complete opposite path to battle for the trophy. Up until the final three weeks of the season, Philadelphia had only lost to the reigning champs in the DC Current. The squad was primed to run away with the conference. Then came the final weeks, and the rest of the teams improved their play while Philadelphia remained the same, going 1-3 in the final weeks. I would not call it complacency, just a different attitude towards the game. It was simple, the team was not as clean and did not use their slow methodical offense that had been so successful earlier in the year. With that all being said the Spinners were fantastic this season and have a chance to win a championship in their own backyard.
For three consecutive seasons the Boston Whitecaps are the only team that will have made it to a conference championship game each year. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Spinners, have an agenda of their own, making it to the playoffs for the first time in the MLU. Both teams have gone back-and-forth in head to head matchups, making the advantage favor neither side.
All Time Records:
Boston: 24- 9 Philadelphia: 13-17
The Whitecaps started their season in a rough hole; 0-2 after only one week of play with the combined goal differential being only three goals. But since that opening weekend Boston has gone an incredible 7-1 to finish the season, second best to only the Stags over that span. However if you go back and look at that weekend, it is easy to tell why they lost. They were missing Rookie of the Year candidate, Tyler Chan (19 G, 22 A), the team's leader in assists, Josh Markette (7 G, 24 A), the defender second on the team in blocks, Jack Hatchett (13 B), and numerous other marque starters. Since then only a double overtime loss to the Spinners has been the only bump in the road. Interesting note: Boston is the only team not competing with a cross town AUDL franchise in the East (i.e. Portland Stags).
All Time Records:
Boston: 24- 9 Philadelphia: 13-17
The Whitecaps started their season in a rough hole; 0-2 after only one week of play with the combined goal differential being only three goals. But since that opening weekend Boston has gone an incredible 7-1 to finish the season, second best to only the Stags over that span. However if you go back and look at that weekend, it is easy to tell why they lost. They were missing Rookie of the Year candidate, Tyler Chan (19 G, 22 A), the team's leader in assists, Josh Markette (7 G, 24 A), the defender second on the team in blocks, Jack Hatchett (13 B), and numerous other marque starters. Since then only a double overtime loss to the Spinners has been the only bump in the road. Interesting note: Boston is the only team not competing with a cross town AUDL franchise in the East (i.e. Portland Stags).
Offensive Edge:
Spl itI know it would be easy to say Boston at this point in the season, but at times over the course of the year, the Spinners offense has been just as impressive. The team is led by Trey Katzenbach, Marshall Ward, Billy Sickles, Matt Glazer, Nick Hirannet, Ben Sheradin, and Jake Rainwater all of whom played over 90% of their points on the O-line. Now it would be rare (not unheard of) to see all seven of these players on the same line because they have great group of second-tier players to fill in empty roles. It goes without saying though these guys are the faces of the franchise. Even with a rough start the squad leads the league in average throws per possession with 6.7. Now this is all well and good but Boston has stats to boast themselves. Their offense leads the league in holds per possession with a 71% efficiency rating . Much credit has to be accredited to players that will make it into the future MLU Hall of Fame: Jeff Graham (21 G, 21 A) and Markette. The O-line runs through these two players and without argument are two of the league's finest.
Defensive Edge: Boston
The Whitecaps' defense has broken their opponents 33.8% of the time on the year. Doing it with a complete defensive unit, they have once again proven that defense wins games. They have seven players that have over five blocks on the season as a predominantly defensive players. At the same time Philadelphia has the same amount of players that have accomplished that feat. The difference? Christian Foster (14 B) and Hatchett. Both players are those complete players that coaches love. They are athletes that can play any position, yet they do not light up the stat sheet. Now the Spinners have Matt Esser (13 B) and Leon Chou (10) but the explosiveness and determination of the Whitecaps, and the fact O-line players can play both ways more than Philly, is the reason why they get the edge.
'Special Teams' Edge: Boston
The top players from Bean-town are from both the O and D lines: Graham, Markette, Chan, Teddy Browar-Jarus, Foster, Hatchett, and Miles Montgomery-Butler. If you look at Philadelphia there is no way that they can matchup against these guys. The Spinners have good players but the more complete roster plays with Coca-Cola on their chest. (Note: there are numerous other players that could make the argument for being the top seven of Boston's squad).
Why Boston Will Win?
Momentum. Athleticism. Home-field advantage. The more complete team. Graham. Markette. You take your pick. Any number of reasons would be the reason why they win and they have proven each of these factors each game this season. Coach Sam Rosenthal should just let his guys go out and do what they do best. They play clean and aggressive, two things that does not normally go together.
Why Boston Will Lose?
The only way I see them losing is that they become their own worst enemy. Unforced errors, not taking advantage on the D-line will led straight to a loss. Philadelphia at times can be the most efficient team in the league and Boston's mistakes will give them a plethora of opportunities.
Why Philadelphia Will Win?
This team has never been in this position before, the only comparison would be in Week 10 against the Current, in which they won. In previous seasons they have failed to win these high pressure games, but this group has shown they they are completely different compared to previous Philadelphia rosters. Returning to their roots from the beginning of the year will keep them in the game. Keep it simple: no turns. The Rainmakers were in a similar position last week against the Stags. Not expecting to win, playing against the odds sometimes is the formula for an upset.
Why Philadelphia Will Lose?
Boston is good, really good. Over the past weeks, no one has looked better. If both teams play their absolute best Boston will still win. You have to be the top of your game to beat the 2013 Champs and I do not believe that will be the case for Philly.
And the Winner is??
Boston 20-16
Both teams have extremely similar styles of play. Be efficient on offense, if no player is open get it to a handler. Do not put it downfield. Defensively the Whitecaps are aggressive, while the Spinners pick their battles. The difference in this championship game will be the matchups, the right player in the right position will win either team this game. I would not put it against any number of players on both rosters to make those plays. Graham is unstoppable, so is Markette and Chan on offense, but the Spinners can find that weak matchup in the O-line and exploit it. My gut says this game will be similar to the final game of the season when Boston controlled the entire 40 minutes.
Both teams have extremely similar styles of play. Be efficient on offense, if no player is open get it to a handler. Do not put it downfield. Defensively the Whitecaps are aggressive, while the Spinners pick their battles. The difference in this championship game will be the matchups, the right player in the right position will win either team this game. I would not put it against any number of players on both rosters to make those plays. Graham is unstoppable, so is Markette and Chan on offense, but the Spinners can find that weak matchup in the O-line and exploit it. My gut says this game will be similar to the final game of the season when Boston controlled the entire 40 minutes.