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Cannons Downed in OT, Playoff Chances Win or Go Home August 2, 2009 -- With a playoff spot on the line, Thursday's game was critical to both the Boston Cannons (6-6) and the Toronto Nationals (6-5). Unfortunately for the Cannons, Toronto came away as the victor, clinching a playoff spot and securing them not the Cannons, a trip to Annapolis for the playoffs.
It was Paul Rabil, the league leader in points, who led the Cannons with a seven goal night (5 G, 2-point). However, he was upended by Toronto's leading scorer and the league's top goal scorer Merrick Thomson who earned Bud Light MVP honors with an astounding eight point performance (5 G, 3 A).
Toronto's attack was relentless on Cannon's goalie Kip Turner, who ended the night with twenty-two saves.
Toronto's Merrick Thomson opened up the game, netting a goal and tallying an assist to put the Nationals up by two. Paul Rabil put the Cannons on the board with a 2-point goal to respond to Toronto's initial attack. By the end of the first quarter, the Cannons stepped up and led the Nationals 4-3.
Boston came out strong in the second quarter, with a powerplay goal from Matt Poskay and even defender Ray Megill getting in on the action with a goal as well. As the half came to a close, Boston pulled ahead of the Nationals by three goals.
Boston was aggressive in the third and stretched the lead to six, leading the Nationals 15-9 after the third quarter.
While it looked as though the Cannons were running away with the game, Toronto wasn't ready to call it quits just yet. Stringing together an impressive set led by all-stars Thomson, Delby Powless, Joe Walters, Zywicki who notched his second powerplay goal of the match, Toronto fought their way back into the game.
Paul Rabil finally broke the five goal run, only to have Toronto answer with a three goal run. As the fourth quarter came to a close, the scored was tied at 17-17. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, the game was sent into overtime.
Less than three minutes into overtime, Sean Morris was penalized with an offsides technical foul. Joe Walters capitalized, scoring a powerplay goal off of a pass from Delby Powless.
With an 18-17 overtime loss, the Boston Cannons still have a chance of making it into the playoffs. They must win when they return home to take on the Washington Bayhawks in their final game of the regular season on Thursday, August 6th at 7:30 PM.
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| More Cannons Headlines | Headline - 8/23/2009 Cannons Come Up Short Again | | | | Headline - 8/17/2009 Chris Eck Receives Most Improved MLL Player of the Year | | | |
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