ORLIN & COHEN POSTGAME REPORT: RIPTIDE BEAT DESERT DOGS 13-11

The New York Riptide and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs played at the Nassau Coliseum Saturday night, with the Riptide coming out triumphant 13-11. The Riptide were able to stop a three-game skid Saturday night and save their chances of making the 2024 playoffs. The Riptide are in the mix of teams that are all within one game of the final playoff spot and improved their chances massively with a win against Las Vegas. Larson Sundown had his best performance in the NLL, scoring six goals on the night, a new career high. This game was the “ Kick Out Cancer” game, benefiting Tucker William’s Braver Than Brave Memorial Fund for pediatric lymphoma research. Game-worn shoes are being auctioned off, with all the proceeds going back to the BTB Memorial fund. To access the auction, click on the link below. https://app.galabid.com/riptidekickoutcancer/items

The Desert Dogs opened the scoring up just over two minutes into the game before the Riptide rattled off five straight goals. Larson Sundown led the Riptide powerplay early on, scoring once in the first and twice in the second quarter to lead the Riptide PP, which went 75% in the game. Jeff Teat was dissecting the Vegas defense with seven assists in the game and five in the first half. The Riptide held a strong 7-2 lead going into halftime.

The captain 🫡 puts us up 2-1. #TurnTheTide #NYvsLV pic.twitter.com/y9lNzejMWZ

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) March 10, 2024

Las Vegas started the second half on fire to bring the game back within one goal. Casey Jackson scored three of his five goals in the third quarter, making the game 8-7 after his fourth goal. Larson Sundown and Austin Madronic got the Riptide lead back to a comfortable margin as the two teams entered the fourth quarter with the Riptide up 10-8.

#51 sends it straight to the back of the net.

US 8 | THEM 4 #TurnTheTide 🌊 #NYvsLV pic.twitter.com/KnvfcvLoIR

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) March 10, 2024

The Desert Dogs made one final push in the fourth quarter after a Rob Hellyer goal made the game 12-11 with just over five minutes to play. Cameron Dunkerley and the Riptide defense held strong until Callum Jones put the finishing touches on the game with his second goal of his career, with 22 seconds left. The Riptide snapped their losing streak with the win and are now back in the playoff picture with five games remaining.

Coach Dan Ladouceur was very impressed by Larson Sundown’s performance Saturday night. “We all love Sunny. I told him in practice when he is going and flying he’s not only fun to watch but so productive. He works himself into positions so well, and with a guy like Teater or Connor feeding him, he’s going to have opportunities, and it paid off tonight.”

Coach's thoughts following tonight's 13-11 win over the @vegasdesertdogs.#TurnTheTide 🌊 pic.twitter.com/zBfDLnPd7Y

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) March 10, 2024

The Riptide and Desert Dogs will return to action next weekend as the playoff race is heating up with fewer games remaining. The Desert Dogs will play again next Friday in Vancouver against the Warriors. This will be the first of two times the teams will play this season, with one more matchup at the end of the month. The Riptide will travel to Saskatchewan on March 16^th to play the Rush in the first of a back-to-back. The Riptide will host the Rush back home on March 23^rd in their second-to-last home game of the year.

Tonight’s final stats courtesy @OCSportsMed. pic.twitter.com/J6AjwaMk1M

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) March 10, 2024