Playoffs Chi at Mad

Ryan Baker, Journalist 

For six years, the Madison Radicals and their fans have been waiting for a return to the playoffs. That will finally happen this Sunday night at Breese Stevens Field, with the Chicago Union returning  to town to take on the Radicals in the first round of the Central Division playoffs. 

The Radicals look like one of the hottest teams in the league right now, winning their last three games of the season and their last five at home. The redemption season has included a phenomenal finish,  with the Radicals outscoring the Union and the AlleyCats 46-29 in the last two games of the year. 

“The team is playing some of the best ultimate any Radical team has ever played. I feel like we’re peaking at the right time. Everybody's healthy. It just makes for some tough decisions every week. We’re excited to play on Sunday,” said head coach Tim DeByl.

This will be the rubber match between the two squads. Chicago took home the win at home by just one score. Subsequently, the Radicals dismantled a low-energy Chicago team in Madison just a few weeks ago. 

“In continuing our momentum, I think it is important to not only keep our sights on the goal, but more importantly to remember the steps that got us here. And to not change too much in our process. Those steps involved every single person’s energy on our team and the effort we continue to give every single week. The belief we’ve shown in each other is what has helped us stay resilient and confident. That is what will keep us focused,” said Luke Marks.

DeByl is faced with one tough decision after another due to how deep this Radicals team goes. Last week, deep threat Jack Nelson was out due to a concussion, but he has been cleared and will be cleated up for the win-or-go-home game. 

“Not being able to join the party against Indy was a bummer, so I plan on going hard against Chicago. I want to do my job and have Chicago leaving the night thinking, ‘there’s nothing we could have done.’ As a team we are scary right now and that’s not going anywhere,” said Nelson.

Additionally, the return of veterans Kevin Pettit-Scantling and Kai DeLorenzo has created less room on the roster for other players. As it stands now, two roster spots remain to be finalized Friday night. KPS is currently questionable, and if he can be healthy, he will be playing. 

“Getting it down to 20 every week is consistently difficult. It’s the same problem we had the week before. Why change anything when you just had your best game of the season, right? It’s a struggle. It’s a great problem to have as a coach, but also it just takes away from sleep, because you hate to sit somebody who's been so core to your season,” said DeByl.

KPS has been playing on the second D-line for the Radicals in the last two games. While he hasn’t impacted the stat sheets to the extent that many would’ve expected, the mere presence of the two-time all-star on the field has changed the mentality and created comfortability. 

“He’s just a huge emotional lift. He's always been our emotional leader from the day he stepped on the field. I think him out there just brought in the confidence that we didn't have. I can't say enough about what it's like to have him back. The guys look up to him,” said DeByl.

A lot of Chicago’s success relies on the ability of Jeff Weis to create big plays. His bigger stature creates matchup problems for any team, especially for a rather small Madison team. 

“Weis is just an incredible player. He's always been one of the best players in the league. We're going to stick with what worked last time, which was kind of a revolving matchup on him, making sure he doesn't get too comfortable with any one player,” said DeByl.

However, Madison has their own deep threat duo in Nelson and the UFA’s second-place goal scorer Anthony Gutowsky. In the two matchups against Chicago this year, the two have combined for 16 goals and nearly 1,000 total yards. 

“It means everything. This is the stuff I live for. Playoffs means pressure, and I love pressure, I’ve never been one to shy away from it, and I feel like the Rads have been under pressure our last three games to earn the spot we are in now. Getting to play this weekend makes me feel like a kid in a candy store,” said Nelson.

The biggest game of the year for the Radicals comes at a great time. We will see if Madison can keep riding high, move past Chicago, and make their way to Minnesota for a matchup with the Wind Chill to advance to championship weekend. 

To get tickets to Breese Stevens Field for the game this Sunday at 5 p.m. CDT, click here!

To watch the rubber match and first round of the playoffs between Madison and Chicago, click here!