Friday is the final regular-season game day of the truncated Major League Lacrosse season, and there’s plenty to play for.
All six MLL teams will have played five regular-season games when all is said and done, with the top four records advancing to the semifinals on Saturday. On Sunday, a champion for the league’s 20th anniversary season will be crowned.
The Denver Outlaws and Chesapeake Bayhawks have already punched their playoff tickets, and the New York Lizards have been eliminated. That leaves three teams — the Boston Cannons, Connecticut Hammerheads and Philadelphia Barrage — fighting for their playoff lives.
Here are the current standings, Friday’s slate of games and how the three aforementioned teams can secure a playoff berth.
MLL STANDINGS
Denver Outlaws 4-0
Chesapeake Bayhawks 3-1
Connecticut Hammerheads 2-2
Boston Cannons 2-2
Philadelphia Barrage 2-3
New York Lizards 0-5
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
4 p.m. — Hammerheads vs. Bayhawks, ESPN+
7 p.m. — Outlaws vs. Cannons, ESPN+
BOSTON CANNONS
IN: Hammerheads win OR Cannons win
OUT: Bayhawks win & Outlaws win
If the Hammerheads win, they’re in. Otherwise, they’re banking on the Cannons to upset the Outlaws.
CONNECTICUT HAMMERHEADS
IN: Hammerheads win OR Outlaws win
OUT: Bayhawks win & Cannons win
In some ways, Connecticut controls its own destiny. Beat the Bayhawks, you’re in. Should the Hammerheads lose, Denver can bail them out later in the evening.
PHILADELPHIA BARRAGE
IN: Bayhawks win
OUT: Hammerheads win
Despite their 2-3 record, the barrage have a decent shot at getting in. They need the Bayhawks to beat the Hammerheads, and judging by how dominant Chesapeake’s offense has been this week, Barrage players should be happy with their chances.