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Florida Launch, Casey Powell Ready for Season Finale

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in .
via Launch web site   The Florida Launch are set to take on the Boston Cannons Saturday evening in the final game of the 2016 season. The Launch will be led into the road battle by Casey Powell who will be playing in his last MLL game before retiring. Florida looks to play spoiler to Boston’s playoff hopes as a win here will eliminate the Cannons from contention. Florida is looking to bounce back from a 14-9 loss to the Rochester Rattlers in a home finale at FAU Stadium. The Launch were led by three points from both Owen Blye and Steven Brooks with All-Star Kieran McArdle registering his thirteenth straight game this season with two or more points. Casey Powell’s legendary career was honored before the game with a commemorative cup giveaway and after the game with a video tribute. Powell treated the crowd with a heartfelt goodbye as his last game on home colors drew to an end. Despite being eliminated from the playoff race, Florida’s roster has turned in some dynamic performances down the stretch. McArdle’s 51 total points count for the sixth best mark in the MLL and tops his 49 point effort in 2014 that earned him Rookie of the Year. Connor Buczek has developed into an all around threat on offense as his long range shooting has him in second for most two-point goals this season with five. Launch newcomer Owen Blye is enjoying a career season with 26 goals which is more than both of his two previous MLL seasons with Boston. Rookies Steve Pontrello (19 points) and Matt Landis (19 groundballs) have been impact players for the Launch and create matchup problems for the opposition. As for the opposition, the Cannons are led by Will Manny’s 49 points and David Emala’s 36 points. Landis and Tucker Durkin will likely be tasked with slowing down the two shooters. Between the pipes for Boston will be Tyler Fiorito who won Defensive Player of the Week honors last week for making 23 saves in a win over the New York Lizards. Fiorito will have the job of stopping shots from the Launch’s deep attack with McArdle, Buczek, and plenty of other offensive threats ready to end the Cannons’ season. Faceoff for the game is set for 5:00p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on Lax Sports Network. For live updates of all the action, follow the Launch on Twitter and Snapchat @florida_launch.    

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