BOSTON, MA (August 2, 2014) – The Boston Cannons needed Coca-Cola Player of the Game, Jordan Burke to make a crucial save in the final seconds to seal the victory over the Florida Launch. Burke made 16 saves on 31 shots on the afternoon. The Cannons used a balanced team attack to disrupt Florida’s defense with 7 different players scoring goals, and 9 players tallying a point. With the win, the Cannons improved to 6-7 on the season and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Cannons started the game off extremely quickly scoring a goal just 17 seconds into the first quarter when Paul Rabil connected with Stephen Berger. Kevin Buchanan kept the Cannons offensive attack rolling a minute later when he scored an unassisted goal. The Cannons offense did not stop there, Will Manny found defender Kyle Sweeney in transition for another goal. Casey Powell scored the first goal for the Launch after 2 minutes and 34 seconds. David Earl then brought the game to a 1 goal game before Stephen Berger scored his second goal of the first quarter. Kevin Buchanan got his 30th goal of the season just under 8 minutes into the first quarter, a mark that leads the team in goals. Stephen Berger completed his hat trick just 9 minutes into the game when Will Manny found him with a nifty pass to put the Cannons up 6-2. Owen Blye scored just 1 minute later when Kevin Buchanan found him in the offensive zone to close out the scoring for the first quarter.

The Cannons did not let their offensive attack end after the first quarter concluded as Kevin Buchanan scored just 1 minutes into the second quarter when Stephen Berger found him open on offense. The Cannons scored their 5th goal in a row when Stephen Berger score his 4th goal of the game on a pass from Paul Rabil. After the Cannons goal scoring run they lead 9-2. Kevin Cunningham scored for the Launch at 3:40 in the second quarter to end the Cannons run. Stephen Brooks also cut into the Cannons lead when Casey Powell assisted him. Kevin Buchanan quickly put a stop to the Launch run with a great face dodge just outside the 2 point arc allowing him to get 1 on 1 with the keeper and scoring. Kevin Cunningham scored for a second time in the quarter after Casey Powell gathered another assist. With 2 minutes left in the half Paul Rabil left the field with an apparent foot injury but he returned to the sidelines wearing a boot and using crutches in the 4th quarter.

Jordan Hall started the scoring for the Launch in the 3rd quarter. Will Manny then scored a minute later to tally his first goal and third point of the contest. The Launch then scored 4 of the next 5 goals, getting a goal each from P.T. Ricci, Steven Brooks, Casey Powell and Chris LaPierre. Willy Manny scored after 2 of the Launch goals and then scored after the next 2 Launch goals to complete his hat trick on the afternoon. The Cannons led 13-10 after 3 quarters.

Craig Bunker won the initial faceoff of the 4th quarter, storming down the field and scored his first career MLL goal just 8 seconds into the quarter. Brent Adams scored just 2 minutes later to give the Cannons a 5 goal lead. The Launch then leaned on veteran Casey Powell who assisted on 2 of the next 3 goals and scored on the other goal. Brent Adams scored with just under 3 minutes left to give the Cannons a 3 goal lead. Casey Powell again proved that he was the man to rely on scoring his 4th goal of the game and tallying his 8th point. With just under 2 minutes to play Kieran McArdle scored his 31st goal of the year, breaking the rookie all time MLL goal record in a season. With just under 10 seconds to play and the Cannons leading by 1, Jordan Burke made an incredible point blank save on McArdle before clearing the ball and clinching the win for the Cannons.

The final regular season home game is next Saturday at 7:00 pm against the Rochester Rattlers. The Cannons will have to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.