The Utah Archers make a statement against the current champion New York Atlas, winning 16-5 this weekend. The Archers are putting the PLL on notice not to count them out. This was a fresh start for this Archers team coming off the All-Star break, and far exceeding their goals per game average this season. Connor Fields looking like an MVP caliber player, getting 4 goals and an assist. Ryan Stines and Mac O’Keefe both get hat tricks.
The Archers took their time and finding space in the offensive zone, whether it was scoring transition or quick ball movement then hitting the back of the net with accuracy. Archers goaltender Brett Dobson played outstanding between the pipes, stopping 9 out of 14 Atlas shots. We shall see if this momentum can continue for the Archers, as they face a red hot Waterdogs team next week, looking to even their record at 4-4 and move closer to the top of the Western Conference standings.
The Injury Bug Continues To Be A Swollen Problem For New York
The New York Atlas got rocked in this game, scoring only 2 goals in the first half and just 3 more in the second half. New York has a big hole to climb out of, as they are now 3-4 but have a league-worst goal differential of -18. Missing big name players such as Trevor Baptiste, one of the best faceoff men in the game, and a generational scorer in Jeff Teat really hurts this Atlas team.
Matt Traynor had a pair of goals in the second half. Traynor would be the only New York player to record multiple goals, including one where he cooked two Archers defenders to get the goal. Liam Entenmann had a rough night for the Atlas, as he gives up 16 goals. However, not is all lost for New York – next week, they will face the Boston Cannons, who won their game this weekend but have had their share of inconsistencies, just like the Atlas. If New York can get a win, they will move back to .500, which is looking more and more like the minimum needed to make the playoffs.
