Cannons, MLL All-Stars Put On Show At Harvard Stadium
BOSTON (CBS) – For the second year in a row Major League Lacrosse All-Stars took over Harvard Stadium, and for the second straight year they did not disappoint.
Over 11,000 fans saw another close game, and some local favorites put on a show in the 10th MLL All-Star game with Team Warrior coming away with a dramatic 21-20 victory.
Long Island's Stephen Peyser scored the game-winner with just 2:49 remaining in the game, but Team Authority fought until the very last second. Boston's Paul Rabil, the MLL leader in points, fed Mike Kimmel for a last second two-point shot. Kimmel's shot was wide, preserving the Warriors win.
Gallery: MLL All-Star Game
Kimmel was named the Player of the Game after netting five goals, including three 2-pointers. He scored two of his three-pointers in a three minute span in the fourth quarter, with his final one 7:22 giving Team Authority a 20-19 lead.
Nine Boston Cannons took part in this year's game with four playing on the victorious Team Warrior. Brad Ross tallied four points with three goals (one two-pointer), Pat Heim scored a pair of goals and P.T. Ricci scored one. Attacker Matt Poskay did not register a point.
Five Cannons played for Team Authority, including Coach Bill Daye manning the sidelines. Ryan Boyle scored a goal, Max Quizani had an assist and Chris Eck won 21 of 38 faceoffs. Mitch Belisle did not register a point.
Rabil scored two goals for Team Authority, but received the loudest cheers for winning the Freestyle Competition during halftime. Rabil did his best Blake Griffin impersonation, jumping over the hood of a Ford Fusion and putting it in the back of the net. With the winner determined by crowd reaction, there was little doubt the hometown favorite won the event.
Malden's Martin Cahill, who plays for the Rochester Rattlers, also participated in the Freestyle Competition, electing to take his shots from the stands. The hometown boy donned a Zdeno Chara jersey and attempted shots with fans (and family) surrounding him. None of his four attempts went in, but the cheering never ceased. That is until Rabil soared over a car.
Chesapeake's Kyle Hartzell won the Fastest Shot Competition with a 102 mph shot. Rabil had been the two-time defending champ (including an 111 mph blast last year) but elected to change things up and participate in the Freestyle this time around.
The two teams were picked Friday night by two honorary captains, Ultimate Fan Fantasy winners Michael Hatala and Nathan Solomon. Much like gym class, or this past season's NHL All-Star game, the two went back and forth selecting the best of the best. They both got the pleasure of getting a "real" front row seat, standing alongside their favorite players on the sideline during the game.
All-Star Jerseys are now up for auction to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The 6-1 Cannons will next play July 16 when they take on the Lizards in Long Island. They are currently a game up on the Denver Outlaws for first place.
