New York Empire at Minnesota Wind Chill | Super Series
Friday, July 12 - 8:00 PM/ET - Watch link
This matchup is long overdue.
These two teams have been UFA fixtures since 2013, yet haven't crossed paths on the field. They were seconds away from facing off in last year’s championship game.
The underwhelming championship game between New York and Salt Lake left UFA fans with a case of "what if." What if Joel Clutton didn’t save Salt Lake’s season? Could Minnesota, with their roaring home crowd, have overcome the Empire?
Few believe the Wind Chill had a chance. This season, despite their impressive 8-2 record, the Wind Chill are still doubted by many as championship contenders. This is their opportunity to silence the doubters.
If Minnesota wants to capitalize on this opportunity, their defense needs to improve. Last week's season-high of 25 goals allowed and season-low of six blocks won’t fly this week. Brandon Matis and Noah Hanson remain the team's leading blockers, but Dylan DeClerck sure is due for a big defensive game. With only 10 blocks this year compared to his 19 per year since 2021, all eyes are on him.
We’ll also be watching closely to see if Minnesota's Will Brandt suits up. The QB1 struggled against Chicago last week while dealing with a lower body injury. His health and performance are key factors for Minnesota's offensive success.
The Wind Chill are missing several other big names. Currently, Hanson, Bret Bergmeier, Jordan Taylor, Tanner Barcus, and Tristan Van de Moortele are listed as out, and it’s likely most will remain sidelined.
Two of New York’s key players are currently inactive, John Randolph and Jeff Holm, but their roster is deep enough to overcome these absences. We can confidently expect a full-throttle effort from the Empire.
The two-time defending champions have a lot on the line on Friday night. They’re still hoping to steal the second seed from the DC Breeze and secure home turf in the first round of the playoffs.
Riding high off their dominant 11-goal victory over the Shred last week, New York is kicking things into high gear. Marques Brownlee made it clear in his postgame interview that the team is shifting into playoff mode, echoing their late-season surge from 2023.
But we expect Wind Chill head coach Ben Feldman to be prepared for whatever New York throws at them. In an interview last year, Feldman prioritized a defensive lockdown. If he stands by this mindset, it’ll be interesting to see what specific strategies he'll employ to counter the Empire's offensive juggernaut.
New York's offense has been humming lately, with their scoring well-distributed. While nine players notched at least two goals against Salt Lake, potential revenge games against Minnesota could light a fire under individual players, leading to stellar solo efforts.
Keep an eye on Ben Jagt. He played his first three seasons for the Wind Chill and hails from the University of Minnesota, so expect him to be extra motivated for this game. Another player who could have revenge on his mind is Charles Weinberg. The six-year veteran is having his best season since his time with the Wind Chill.
Jagt, Weinberg, and the Empire enter this game far more battle-tested than the Wind Chill. This season, they’ve already played five games against teams ranked in the UFA's top eight.
One Big Number:
0 - The Wind Chill haven’t faced any top-eight UFA teams so far this year.
20 - The Empire have scored at least 20 goals in each of their last three games. They only reached 20 goals once in their first seven games.
Indianapolis AlleyCats at Pittsburgh Thunderbirds | Game of the Week
Sunday, July 14 - 4:00 PM/ET - Watch link
The stakes are enormous in our gripping Game of the Week.
Pittsburgh is desperate for a win on Sunday - they’ll be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss.
Indy doesn't necessarily need to win this one, assuming they secure a victory against Detroit the previous night. However, a win would be a huge confidence booster as they gear up for a potential winner-takes-all showdown with Madison in the season finale.
The ‘Cats haven't won a road game yet (0-3), and their offense has been shut down in those games, as evidenced by the 26-18 drubbing they received from the T-birds in their only other meeting this season.
In their Week 6 victory against Indy, the T-birds put on a masterclass in disc possession. With just five turns, a 98 percent completion rate, and a perfect red zone conversion percentage, it was a dominant performance that ranked among Pittsbugh’s best all season.
Will Hoffenkamp, who had a stellar performance against Indy in their previous matchup, could be in for a big day on Sunday. He is currently the team's second-leading passer, and Jonathan Mast (the team leader) is currently not rostered for the game. Other absences might further complicate things for Pittsburgh, with offensive stars Carl Johnson and Max Sheppard potentially sidelined.
Pittsburgh's potential O-line absences present a golden opportunity for the AlleyCats, who've struggled to score on the road this season. The depleted Pittsburgh O-line is one of several reasons why we should expect a tighter contest between these two teams this time. The AlleyCats were still reeling from their grueling matchup against Chicago the night before their previous loss to Pittsburgh. Additionally, Indy’s defense looks like it’s improved a lot over the past few weeks.
The AlleyCats have unearthed a defensive weapon: blocks. They've averaged a ridiculous 14.67 blocks in their last three games, all against tough opponents. Part of this success is due to the likes of Seth Gudeman and Nick Hutton, who excel at disrupting passing lanes. The ‘Cats could exploit one of Pittsburgh’s major weaknesses - their susceptibility to blocks.
One Big Number:
12 - The T-birds are giving up an average of 12 blocks per game to their opponents this season, ranking them fourth-worst in the UFA.
16 - The AlleyCats are averaging just 16 goals per game on the road this season.
Chicago Union at Madison Radicals
Friday, July 12 - 8:00 PM/ET - Watch link
Chicago just needs to beat Madison to clinch a playoff spot and grab home field advantage for the first round.
The Radicals need a win and some help to secure a playoff berth. Victory this weekend combined with an AlleyCats loss would seal the deal.
Chicago’s offense has a vital weapon with Jack Shanahan active this week. His presence as the team's leading assist-maker should significantly alter the dynamic of this game compared to their previous meeting with the Radicals, which he missed.
Anthony Gutowsky, the face of the Radicals, is another dual threat who could be a major force. Boasting a league-leading 44 goals and an impressive 13 blocks, he's both an offensive and defensive nightmare for opposing teams. He was very noticeable in Week 6 against the Union, finishing with four goals and a block.
Three of Madison’s main contributors (Kai Marcus, Kelsen Alexander, and Gabe Vordick) are currently listed as inactive for Friday. Since Marcus and Alexander are important facilitators, the Radicals will need others to create scoring chances. While Victor Luo can be inconsistent, he’s capable of racking up assists and could have an expanded role on Friday.
One Big Number:
22 - Teams are averaging 22 turnovers per game against the Union this season, the second-highest rate in the league.
10 - After averaging 26.3 assists in the past three seasons, Luo has only managed 10 so far.