The Philadelphia Waterdogs took on their arch rivals the New York Atlas to start their homecoming weekend with a chance to post the best record in the PLL heading into the playoffs. The Waterdogs were sporting throwback jerseys of the former Philadelphia Barrage, who won three MLL titles in four years between 2004 and 2007. But it was the Atlas who started this game on the right track, with Matt Traynor giving New York an early lead on a power play after the Waterdogs took an early slashing penalty.
After another Atlas goal from Cole Williams, Michael Sowers started to cook in his own backyard, scoring back-to-back goals. CJ Kirst then scores his 31st goal of the year, setting a new single-season record. Atlas took the lead back on a 2-pointer from Brett Makar and a goal from Xander Dickson. Casey Wilson scored late for the Waterdogs to keep it a 5-4 game after one quarter.
The Waterdogs would start the second half with power play goals from Silas Richmond and Kieran McArdle, with another goal from CJ Kirst in between, bullying his defender to get down low for his second goal of the night. The Philadelphia Waterdogs did a great job with ball movement and feeding each other the ball. Hugh Kelleher would get New York on the scoreboard on a highlight reel crease dive. Jimmy Freehill answers right back with a 2-point goal, one of two on the night for the Waterdogs. Sowers got his hat trick to end the first half with the Waterdogs leading 10-7.
Waterdogs continue to build momentum heading into PLL playoffs
Philly wasted no time finding the back of the net to start the second half. CJ Kirst hits the spin moves on his defender for his hat trick goal. Michael Sowers sees what the Atlas throws at him and delivers his fourth goal. Josh Yago gets back to back goals, and the Waterdogs increase their lead to 14-8 going into the fourth quarter.
The flood gates open even more in the fourth quarter for the Waterdogs. Yago now has a hat trick, Richmond fires in a 2-pointer, and Kyle Lewis gets in on the action. I also have to give the Philadelphia defense a lot of credit. They caused eight turnovers, and made adjustments after the early penalty, staying disciplined for most of the game. Alec Stathakis got the better of Trevor Baptiste on faceoffs, winning 15 out of 28. Goaltender Sean Byrne continued to stay hot, making 19 saves on the day, including several tough stops throughout the course of this game. Philadelphia gets the 18-10 win, clinching the best record in the PLL and a first round playoff bye.
