The Stripe

Recap of the Championship Series and Analyzing the PLL’s Faceoff Athletes

In this week’s episode of The Stripe, Greg takes a look back at the Championship Series and breaks down what we saw from each team's faceoff unit. Greg takes a closer look at each of the league’s faceoff athletes and gives his thoughts surrounding their performance and the different factors and variables that lead to each player's strengths or weaknesses throughout the tournament. Gurenlian details who overperformed, who underperformed and what it all means for the future as well as this offseason. At the end of today's episode Greg hands out his end of tournament awards and gives some insight on what's to come later this year on The Stripe.  Greg Gurenlian, widely considered the greatest faceoff man of all time, has traded in his pads for a mic this summer. Leveraging his experience on the field, coaching expertise and media savvy, Gurenlian will bring a new era of coverage to the position that he’s helped pioneer. In The Stripe, Greg will chat with the top faceoff athletes in the sport, breakdown matchups, and analyze game performances.  Please rate and review and leave a question you'd like us to ask an athlete on future shows. Let us know your favorite bits from the episode by tagging Greg at @GregBeast32. Enjoy the show!

Recap of Group Play and Predictions for the Elimination Round

In this week’s episode of The Stripe, Greg takes a closer look at all 7 faceoff units and breaks down the team’s first four games through Group Play. Whipsnakes powerhouse, Joe Nardella has absolutely blown Greg away, as well as the competition, in this Championship Series. Greg states that Joe is without a doubt the MVP through the first four games. Nardella’s dominance at the stripe has been off the charts and he’s got the stats to prove it. Meanwhile, the biggest surprise that we’ve seen so far is the lack of production from lone Chaos faceoff guy, Tommy Kelly. Kelly was expected to have a standout year not just because he has the fastest hands in the league, but also after putting in the work this offseason and dropping nearly 30 lbs. As we look ahead to the elimination round, Greg talks through adjustments that should be made and gives his predictions as we head into Tuesday night's showdown.  Greg Gurenlian, widely considered the greatest faceoff man of all time, has traded in his pads for a mic this summer. Leveraging his experience on the field, coaching expertise and media savvy, Gurenlian will bring a new era of coverage to the position that he’s helped pioneer. In The Stripe, Greg will chat with the top faceoff athletes in the sport, breakdown matchups, and analyze game performances.  Please rate and review and leave a question you'd like us to ask an athlete on future shows. Let us know your favorite bits from the episode by tagging Greg at @GregBeast32. Enjoy the show!

The PLL Coaches Sound Off on Their FO Unit Plans Entering Training Camp

In this week's episode, it’s the PLL head coaches turn to weigh in as all seven guys join Greg at The Stripe and break down their FO unit plans. Greg kicks things off with Coach Andy Towers of the Chaos Lacrosse Club. Towers' confidence in Tommy Kelly is strong and he is putting all his faith in the man with the fastest hands in the game. Coach Ben Rubeor of the Atlas Lacrosse Club is also confident in his lone faceoff guy and league leader from the 2019 season, Trevor Baptiste. Waterdogs head coach Andy Copelan is thrilled to be bringing his two-headed monster to Utah in Drew Simoneau and Jake Withers. Two guys who are insanely athletic and extremely versatile that will be vital in pushing this new team through the Championship Series. The Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club (and reigning Champions) are all in on Joe Nardella but head coach Jim Stagnitta says in the event they need a backup they specifically brought on Midfielder, Joe McCallian to step in for the vet when needed. Archer's head coach Chris Bates is thrilled to be bringing to Utah the most athletic faceoff duo in the league in Bones Kelly and Brendan Fowler. Bates feels that with the Championship Series structure, having two at the stripe is vital as he will be implementing a rotation based on matchups. First time PLL head coach Tim Soudan is also bringing his faceoff duo to the Championship Series and will be working with one veteran, Connor Farrell and PLL rookie Hunter Forbes. Soudan says the appeal in bringing two players was the difference in their style of play that will ultimately bode well for them in group play. And closing out the show is Redwoods head coach, Nat St. Laurent. Nat is going to see two new faceoff guys at the X in Peyton Smith and Greg Puskuljdjian but notes the players' different elements they bring to the game will be huge combined with what the team already has on both sides of the ball.   Greg Gurenlian, widely considered the greatest faceoff man of all time, has traded in his pads for a mic this summer. Leveraging his experience on the field, coaching expertise and media savvy, Gurenlian will bring a new era of coverage to the position that he’s helped pioneer. In The Stripe, Greg will chat with the top faceoff athletes in the sport, breakdown matchups, and analyze game performances.  Please rate and review and leave a question you'd like us to ask an athlete on future shows. Let us know your favorite bits from the episode by tagging Greg at @GregBeast32. Enjoy the show!

Drew Simoneau and Jake Withers are the Waterdogs Two-Headed Monster at The Stripe

In this week's episode, the Waterdogs new faceoff duo Drew Simoneau and Jake Withers join Greg at The Stripe. After having a dominating career in the NLL, Jake is thrilled to be joining the PLL and be reunited with so many friends and former teammates. Greg describes Jake’s play as dynamic and athletic having accolades on top of accolades. Withers says that being from Canada and playing lacrosse in the summer and hockey in the winter has helped shape him into the player he is today and credits his talent at the strip to being a lacrosse player first and foremost as well as having a deep knowledge and understanding of the game. Withers describes his play as savvy and is looking forward to joining forces with Drew Simoneau in Utah and being the Waterdogs one-two punch at the faceoff.   Drew “Dr Drew” Simoneau is not only a force on the field but off it as well having a doctorate in physical therapy. While he describes the 2019 season as one of the worst of his career, he’s looking forward to getting back on the field in Utah and playing for redemption, particularly against his former team the Chrome. Simoneau is also eager to utilize his wings more this year in the Waterdogs stacked roster of Noah Richard, Kyle McClancy and Brodie Merrill. Known as one of the fastest guys around the ball, Simoneau is excited to play off of Withers in being a two-headed monster at the strip that in turn will hopefully lead this team to their first PLL Championship.  Greg Gurenlian, widely considered the greatest faceoff man of all time, has traded in his pads for a mic this summer. Leveraging his experience on the field, coaching expertise and media savvy, Gurenlian will bring a new era of coverage to the position that he’s helped pioneer. In The Stripe, Greg will chat with the top faceoff athletes in the sport, breakdown matchups, and analyze game performances.  Please rate and review and leave a question you'd like us to ask an athlete on future shows. Let us know your favorite bits from the episode by tagging Greg at @GregBeast32. Enjoy the show!

Athletic Counter Specialist, Joe Nardella is Ready to Defend the Whipsnakes PLL Crown

In this week's episode, the Whipsnakes lone faceoff specialist, Joe Nardella joins Greg at The Stripe. Greg kicks off the episode by singing Joe’s praises calling him the disrupter of the league, crediting his athleticism and gritty, blue collar play in making him a force on the field. Not only did Joe’s talent at the Stripe help lead his team to become the first ever PLL champions, but he also led the league in faceoff points as well. Joe’s extensive knowledge of the faceoff position is put on display in this episode as he breaks down his opponents play while discussing his best and worst match-ups from the 2019 season. As Greg notes, Nardella’s best games were when he faced off with two of the most athletic guys in the league in Brendan Fowler and Tommy Kelly. The two also talk about the upcoming Championship Series and what the Whipsnakes will do as a backup in the event that Joe needs a fill in. Nardella also gives great advice to young athletes who might be facing adversity when discussing coming back from a past knee injury. Ultimately Nardella is a player who thrives under pressure (he was 4-4 in OT last season) and can't wait to get on the field in Utah to chase a repeat in the Championship Series.  Greg Gurenlian, widely considered the greatest faceoff man of all time, has traded in his pads for a mic this summer. Leveraging his experience on the field, coaching expertise and media savvy, Gurenlian will bring a new era of coverage to the position that he’s helped pioneer. In The Stripe, Greg will chat with the top faceoff athletes in the sport, breakdown matchups, and analyze game performances.  Please rate and review and leave a question you'd like us to ask an athlete on future shows. Let us know your favorite bits from the episode by tagging Greg at @GregBeast32. Enjoy the show!