Romar Dennis was the leading scorer in the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series last year, so it was only fitting that he took on a star role as the 2024 edition kicked off.
The PLL Championship Series features the top four finishers from last summer’s regular season playing in the Olympic-style Sixes format.
Dennis buried a big two-pointer late in the game and then scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the California Redwoods edged the Boston Cannons 26-25 in the first of two games on Wednesday at the St. James in Springfield, Va.
In the other opening night game, the Philadelphia Waterdogs led throughout and beat the Utah Archers 21-18.
A stellar individual effort by Marcus Holman looked like it might be enough for the Boston Cannons in the event’s first game. Holman had nine points, including three 2-pointers, his last 2-pointer coming with 1:17 remaining in regulation to tie the game after California had jumped out early in the final quarter.
A Dennis two-pointer flipped the game back in the Redwoods favor, but Matt Campbell answered Dennis’ bomb by hitting a two-pointer with 33 seconds left to tie it for the Cannons and send the game to overtime.
The overtime didn’t last long. Attackman Rob Pannell, who had five goals and a pair of assists, showed his versatility by winning the OT faceoff, one of three faceoff wins for him in four tries on the night – the Sixes format only has faceoffs at the start of quarters. Dennis scored his game-winner on the opening possession.
Dennis had 34 points, fueled by 15 2-pointers, in last year’s Championship Series, helping the Atlas to a runner-up finish to Chrome. His performance helped him kickstart a season in which he was named an All-Star during the PLL’s traditional summer season.
