Boston Cannons 16, New York Atlas 12

Sarah Griffin: Drenner, Manny and Kirst shine in season opener

The Cannons picked up right where they left off in February, defeating the Atlas in Saturday night’s season opener for the Boom Squad. A four-goal game from Ryan Drenner, a Colin Kirst clinic in the cage and a vintage Will Manny performance in his first game back in a Cannons uniform since 2017 were too much for the Atlas in the second half.

“All I know is it was a lot of fun out there,” Manny said postgame after netting three goals in his first pro lacrosse game in more than 600 days.

“It was special. … It meant everything,” he added when asked about being back in red and blue. “It feels good to fly around and show that I’m still ready to rock.”

The Cannons offense really found its flow after halftime, ignited by Drenner, who shot 4-for-5 in the win.

“He’s a consummate pro,” head coach Brian Holman said.

Holman mentioned he spoke to Drenner in the offseason about finding more opportunities for himself to take it to the net — advice he evidently responded quite well to.

Seven different Cannons found the back of the net, including a two-pointer from faceoff specialist Zac Tucci and goals from Cannons newcomers Mic Kelly and Graydon Hogg. Hogg, playing on the field of his alma mater, produced two goals and an assist in his PLL debut.

“You guys like [Hogg]?” Holman joked postgame. “He’s pretty good, right?”

On the other end of the field, Kirst turned away 17 shots (58.7%) to help anchor a defense that held the Atlas’ star-studded attack in check. Connor Shellenberger didn’t register a shot until the third quarter, and despite heavy time of possession for New York, the Cannons’ back end held firm.

Holman credited part of his team’s success to its “two-minutes-at-a-time mindset,” something his players developed during the Championship Series in February. But he made their mission clear.

“We scored four goals in a playoff game last year,” Holman said. “We’re not going to let that happen again.”

Up next for Boston: Saturday, June 7 vs. Utah Archers (1 p.m.)

Paul Lamonaca: Second-half defensive collapse leads to New York’s first loss

After a 4-4 stalemate at the end of the first half, the Atlas allowed the Cannons to go on a 4-1 run to begin the third quarter, and Boston never looked back. New York allowed 12 scores in the second half alone.

Despite New York’s attack unit finding its stride with Jeff Teat, Shellenberger and Xander Dickson combining for 11 points (7G, 4A), the Atlas struggled to convert on Trevor Baptiste’s wins during the 32-second post-faceoff shot clock.

“We just haven’t been smooth with that,” Atlas head coach Mike Pressler said. “Trevor’s been doing his job better than ever. We were much better in that a year ago, obviously, and just haven’t really found the right personnel group. We are trying some schemes and that hasn’t worked necessarily, so that is something without question we go back to the drawing board in the off week.”

Baptiste went 19-for-27 (70.4%) on faceoffs and tallied 11 ground balls in the loss.

New York’s top short-stick defensive midfielder, Danny Logan, left midway through the third quarter and did not return.

“Danny is irreplaceable,” Baptiste said. “What he brings to the team just on the field and just the type of person he is and the leader that he is, [it's] tough when someone like that goes down.”

New York had to rely on offensive midfielders Jake Stevens and Bryan Costabile to play both sides of the ball during the second half.

Up next for New York: Bye week