Matt Kavanagh was ruled out for the Cannons rematch with Atlas tonight when the league’s official injury report was released on Wednesday.

Kavanagh left in the third quarter of the Cannons OT loss to the Redwoods last Saturday night after bearing the brunt of two late hits within three minutes of game time. He was evaluated for a concussion and watched the final quarter from the sideline.

There’s no timetable for Kav’s return, but the Cannons have no reason to rush him back with the team’s spot in the quarterfinals on Sep. 4 already locked up. Still, the loss of the plucky veteran is particularly disappointing considering how well he and the Cannons offense have been playing all season.

The eighth-year pro has put together one of his best statistical seasons in the PLL. His 24 points ties his previous high set in 2019 with the Redwoods and his ten dimes and four caused turnovers are new bests. He, Asher Nolting, and Marcus Holman have been arguably the best attack line in the league. 

Entering stage left in place of Kavanagh this week is lefty sharpshooter Adam Charalambides. Charalambides made his PLL debut last season with the Cannons. In three games, he scored three goals and picked up four ground balls. 

When Cannons offensive coordinator Jim Mitchell first took charge of Rutgers’ offense back in 2016, Charalambides scored 43 goals as a redshirt freshman and ran away with the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award.

“Adam plays with a ton of energy and brings a positive attitude to every organization he’s a part of,” Coach Mitchell noted. “He is tough, skilled and competitive.”

Even though this is the first time this season that the Ontario native has been on the 19-man game day roster, Charalambides has played an important behind the scenes role in reinvigorating the Cannons team culture. He hasn’t missed a single team Zoom and is always one of the first guys checking in with his teammates and coaches after games.

“I'm excited to see what he does,” Cannons Head Coach Brian Holman said. 

“I know that he's extremely engaged. His teammates love him. We’ve kept him obviously because he can play, but even more so because he's an awesome teammate. I hope he has a great night, it will make us better going down the stretch if he can perform and hold his own.”

Charalambides has a strong frame at six-foot-two and close to 200 pounds along with the quickness to beat defenders with his feet. He didn’t shoot a good percentage (3-for-17, 18%) in the three games he played last season, but has otherwise in his playing career demonstrated a decisive finishing capability. 

Watch him go to work on an island against current Cannon and former Chaos LSM Matt Rees to score one of his three goals last season. Charalambides absorbs Rees’ checks, throws a pass fake to free up a shooting lane and beats Blaze Riorden low.