Atlas rode the second-quarter run to get the game within two, trailing 8-6, when the teams went to the locker rooms for the first time.

The stars of the third quarter were the guys between the pipes. After the Waterdogs were able to get a couple of early insurance goals to start the third, Jack Concannon began to see the shots better, evidenced by this beauty:

Concannon may have been a star during the quarter but the Waterdogs’ Charlie Cipriano absolutely stole the show with 6 (!) of his 17 saves coming in third. 

Concannon may have let three goals past him early in the third, but after that, he was the most important player on the field. No Waterdogs player got any celebration time after the 6:34 mark in the third quarter. Atlas’ defense and their keeper held the Waterdogs scoreless for the final 18 minutes.

Atlas used their defense to propel their comeback. The transition game was fed by clean saves and caused turnovers.

The offense took advantage of the defensive pressure putting the final touches on a masterful defensive half. Chris Cloutier found the back of the net twice in the fourth once off a feed from Craig Chick and a second and more important time around the two-minute mark.

Ramifications 

For Atlas, the team found out it has some fight in them. After falling behind by four in the second half they relied on their defense and goalie to settle down. On the offensive end, Rob Pannell may not have put multiple balls in the net, but his teammates were able to because of him. This dynamic will bode well for Atlas moving forward. 

The Waterdogs could’ve asked for a better start to their team’s story. The ‘Dogs were able to dominate on offense and their faceoff unit proved that they’re going to be a problem for the rest of the league. Finishing the game was a struggle and they’re going to have to identify a player they can count on when the going gets tough. One thing is certain in the PLL: no lead is safe, and going 18 minutes without a goal is the surest way to lose one.