PLL All-Star Break Check In
After five weeks of play, we’re finally at All-Star weekend. That also means there are only three weeks of play left until the playoffs begin. So far this season has delivered plenty of good play and exciting moments. It looks like expecting a great finish to the season is a realistic expectation.
Every team has played at least six games and currently, three of those teams are standing out as the top four contenders to win it all. The Archers have a +22 scoring differential followed by the Redwoods at +8, the Waterdogs +7, and the Atlas +3. Grant Ament (26), Will Manny (20), and Tom Schreiber (19) are all top ten in points and belong to the Archers as does the goalie Adam Ghitelmann with the best save% at 61%. The Redwoods have one top ten point haver in Rob Pannell (24) and their goalie Tim Troutner ranks 4th in save% at 58%.
For the Waterdogs they have two players in Connor Kelly (21) and Zach Currier (19) that are in the top ten of points, but their goalie (Dillon Ward) is 11th in save% at 46% in a league with eight teams.
As for the Atlas, they have only Jeff Teat (22) in the top ten of points and two goalies in Jack Concannon (50%) and JD Colarusso (49%) in the top ten of save%.
The Archers are loaded and look like the team to bet on to win, but the Redwoods are also strong whereas the Atlas could be less likely to be at the top or tied at the top in the standings in three weeks. The Waterdogs can go as far as their bad goaltending will let them. The Waterdogs need more from Ward, bottom line.
As for teams who need to pick it up before the playoffs start, the Whipsnakes have the most on the line. Trying to three-peat is difficult and the Whipsnakes are technically tied for 1st by record at 4-2, but they’re a miserable -7 in scoring differential. Reed Junkin and Kyle Bernlohr rank 8th and 9th in save% and as for offense the Whipsnakes currently lack a player in the top fifteen.
Amongst the three two win teams the Cannons look like the most capable of doing damage going forward as Lyle Thompson (23), Paul Rabil (20), Ryan Drenner (18), and Stephen Reyfuss (18) are all in the top four of points and the Cannons goalie Nick Marrocco ranks 6th in save% at 54%.
The Chaos are the second most likely to turn it around as they’re led by goalie Blaze Riorden with a save% of 60%. On offense, the Chaos have only Josh Byrne in the top twenty of points which is definitely part of why they have only two wins. The Chaos need more help for Byrne on the field.
Lastly, the Chrome don’t have a single player in the top twenty of points, but their goalie John Galloway is tied for 2nd in save% at 60%. Unless the Chrome get more offense as they have scored the fewest goals as a team at 60, they will remain on the bottom of the standings and be an early playoff exit.
