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Boston Cannons defeat Utah Archers to repeat as PLL Championship Series winners
After losing to Utah in the round robin, Boston got its revenge in the final.
Cannons go back-to-back: The Boston Cannons defeated the Utah Archers 21-14 to clinch a second consecutive Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series victory on Monday.
The annual winter tournament differs from regular PLL action in that it is played using the lacrosse sixes format (which has several rule changes, notably that only six players represent each team instead of the traditional 10).
Though Boston is still seeking a league title, it has now won the Championship Series in back-to-back years (having defeated the Philadelphia Waterdogs 23-22 in the 2024 final).
Boston was led by two-time PLL All-Star Matt Campbell, who scored seven goals (along with an assist) against Utah. Marcus Holman also added a major contribution with five goals of his own.
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“That guy should be the poster child [for Sixes]. He’s the best player in the country,” Boston head coach Brian Holman said of Campbell, who won the Golden Stick by notching a tournament-high 23 points across the span of games. Goalie Colin Kirst set a Championship Series record, making an extraordinary 72 saves overall.
Boston was in position to repeat thanks to a stunning semifinal comeback against the top-seeded New York Atlas. Trailing 22-19 with just under a minute left in the game on Sunday, the Cannons somehow rallied after a two-pointer from Jeff Trainor followed by a buzzer-beater via Alex Vardaro to force overtime. Multiple Kirst saves and a clutch Ryan Drenner score proved to be the difference in the extra period as Boston marched on, reaching the final thanks to a 24-23 win.
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The win against Utah in the final also represented a measure of payback for Boston, who lost to the Archers 29-21 in the tournament opener.
The Cannons begin the PLL regular season on May 31 against the Atlas.
Trivia: What former superstar athlete has a spot in both the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Syracuse.
Scores and schedules:
Team USA lost to Sweden 2-1 in the final 4 Nations Face-Off round robin matchup. The Americans had already clinched a spot in the final, where a rematch with the rival Canadians awaits at TD Garden on Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Celtics will be back on court following the conclusion of NBA All-Star Weekend on Thursday in Philadelphia against the 76ers at 7 p.m.
The Boston Fleet defeated the New York Sirens 4-1 on Monday. Boston will face the Charge in Ottawa on Thursday at 7 p.m.
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A Boston eagle: Keegan Bradley pulled off the improbable eagle for Boston in what ultimately proved to be a disappointing 5-4 loss to Bay Club Golf on Monday night.
CHIP-IN EAGLE FOR BOSTON!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2025
@Keegan_Bradley fires up the crowd @TGL.
📺 ESPN2\ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/SZgCmvXyUL
On this day: In 1980, the U.S. men’s hockey team thrashed Romania 7-2 in the penultimate first round matchup. Two goals from Buzz Schneider highlighted the dominant American performance. Elsewhere, the Soviet Union rallied in the third period to defeat Finland 4-2, managing to evade a first loss at the Olympic level since 1968. It foreshadowed the medal run drama that was to come.
Daily highlight: Of the multitude of highlight goals from the Premier Lacrosse League final on Monday, this one from Boston’s Marcus Holman stuck out.
EXCUSE ME, @MarcusHolman1 !?
— Boston Cannons (@PLLCannons) February 17, 2025
ONE HANDED, BACK HANDED, IN THE AIR. pic.twitter.com/wVYwxxaHWy
Trivia answer: Jim Brown
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