Panther City Lacrosse Club Ascends Into Playoffs For The First Time in Franchise History With Matchup Against Calgary

The Panther City Lacrosse Club (10-8) will be making the franchise’s first ever appearance in the NLL Playoffs as they head to Calgary to face the Roughnecks (13-5) on Saturday, May 6 at 8:30 p.m. CT in the Scotiabank Saddledome in a single-elimination round one matchup. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU/ESPN+/TSN and on the call will be Brad Challoner (PxP), Teddy Jenner (Analyst) and Shantelle Chand (Floor Reporter).

Panther City was led all year by the dynamic duo of Will Malcom and Jonathan Donville. Malcom, a 2023 MVP candidate, set franchise records in 2022-23 for points (96) and goals scored (35). Donville, a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, set the franchise record for assists (67) and finished his rookie campaign with 90 points (23G/67A). His 90 points are the fourth most by a rookie in NLL history and his 67 assists are second most by a rookie in NLL history, only trailing New York Riptide’s Jeff Teat (71 in 2021-22). Donville also led the NLL in power play assists (29) this season and finished tied for second (along with SASK Mark Matthews) with 31 power play points. Panther City as a team finished fourth in the NLL for their power play (44/86 – 51%).

Between the lines, Josh Medeiros, a Transition Player of the Year candidate, had a breakout year as he led all transition players with 21 goals. He also finished the 2022-23 season with 91 loose balls and 12 caused turnovers. Fellow transition player Tony Malcom finished third on the team with 110 loose balls.

Between the pipes for Panther City, Nick Damude has quietly been of the most consistent goalies in the league this year. His 10.31  GAA is third-best in the NLL amongst starting goalies and he posted a career high .789 save percentage.

Calgary is led by goalie Christian Del Bianco who amongst NLL goalies in first in save percentage (81%), minutes (1080:19) and second in GAA (9.28). Offensively, Jesse King paces the team and leads the Roughnecks in points (100), goals (42) and assists (58).