The San Diego Seals finished with the second-best regular season record in the National Lacrosse League and were rewarded with home field advantage for Saturday night’s quarterfinal matchup against Panther City at Pechanga Arena.
The Seals (13-5) enter the single-elimination game against Panther City (9-9) looking like a team that could capture the first championship in club history.
For veteran forward Dane Dobbie, who is in his third season with the Seals after 13 seasons with the Calgary Roughnecks, playoff time is all about locking in on details and appreciating what is on the line.
History is both on the Seals’ side and against them.
San Diego was upset in the opening round of last year’s playoffs by the Colorado Mammoth. However, the Seals have won both of their matches against Panther City this year, winning 10-9 in overtime on March 1 and 14-10 at Pechanga on April 5.
“It’s definitely a fun time of year,” said Dobbie, who has played in 34 career playoff games in stops and won a pair of NLL titles with Calgary. “It’s a one-game deal, not a series, so we have to play well. It’s a one-and-done game, so come out good to go right from the start. We know them well and they know us well. Good goalie, they have some skilled young players. We have to be ready to go and play the game the right way.”
Should they win, the Seals would advance to face the third-seeded Albany FireWolves or sixth-seeded Halifax Thunderbirds in a best-of-three semifinal series.
When the teams met at Pechanga on April 5, fans were treated to a sizzling match that was tightly contested until San Diego scored the game’s final five goals.
The Seals are driven by the offensive firepower of players like Dobbie (24 goals, 46 assists), Austin Staats (50 goals, 52 assists), Wesley Berg (41 goals, 67 assists) and Curtis Dickson (27 goals and 37 assists), have the world’s face-off specialist in Trevor Baptiste and an excellent young goalie in Chris Origlieri.
Panther City counters with veteran forward Callum Crawford (42 goals, 52 assists), rising young talents Will Malcolm (37 goals, 68 assists) and Jonathan Donville (27 goals, 52 assists) as well as a solid goalie in Nick Damude.
Having the game at Pechanga, which features one of the best game-night atmospheres in the NLL, is a bonus for the Seals.
Rock star Bret Michaels, who performed after a Seals home game this season, is providing free tickets to the game for all military veterans and their families through his Instagram page. Michaels’ daughter, Raine, is the team’s sideline reporter.
“It’s a great home crowd,” Dobbie said. “We may not get as many fans as some teams, but the ones who come out are really into it and the energy is great. The game just continues to grow here and I hope people come on out and give it a look if they haven’t yet. The building should be rocking.”
Legion hit the road
The San Diego Legion (5-2) continue their Major Rugby League season Saturday evening with a 5 p.m. game at the Houston SaberCats (6-1).
The Legion are coming off a 33-32 home loss to Utah, their first defeat in 12 games at Snapdragon Stadium.
Saturday’s game will air on KUSI and stream on The Rugby Network.
Strike Force back home
The San Diego Strike Force (3-1) of the Indoor Football League host the Bay Area Panthers (4-0) Sunday afternoon at Pechanga Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
The Strike Force suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday, falling 53-50 to the Panthers.
Mojo have home stretch
The San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation entered Friday’s home match against the Vegas Thrill with an 8-9 record. After playing Friday, they’ll host the Orlando Valkyries Monday night at Viejas Arena at 7 p.m.
All Mojo matches are streamed on the league’s YouTube page.
