At this time of year, the term “final four” is on the tip of every sports fan?s tongue. But for the Baltimore Blast and its fans, the team?s final four games bring a different meaning to the phrase.
The team enters its final two weeks of the regular season on a two-game losing slide, which comes on the heels of an eight-game winning streak. But simply reaching the end of the season with its fate in its own hands is a good sign after the way the Blast?s season began.
“That?s what we wanted,” Blast coach Danny Kelly said. “It?s been a tough road ? our playoffs started about 14 games ago. Every game has been a big game for us. It hasn?t been easy on our players knowing that every game is a big game.”
And it hasn?t been easy physically, either. A number of players are nursing injuries and illnesses, and the team will hold its first practice of the week today. Recovery time is short, with only two days to practice before Friday?s 7:35 p.m. kickoff against Chicago at 1st Mariner Arena.
The team is hopeful that Giuliano Celenza (leg) will be back in training in time for the playoffs ? should the team qualify. Right now, the Blast would be the No. 2 or 3 seed in the four-team playoffs, but with four games left, nothing is certain. In fact, Kelly doesn?t want his players thinking about where they stand or what their magic number might be.
“I haven?t gone through the scenarios and all that, and honestly I don?t know,” Kelly said.
Of the final four games, the Blast plays Chicago twice and Philadelphia twice ? beginning Saturday in a 5:05 p.m. road game.
One win should wrap up a playoff spot, but Kelly?s group is fired up to win out. To do so, Kelly wants to see better team defense and better offensive efficiency. But being that Baltimorewas in last place in late January, Kelly acknowledged that the team has itself in position for a nice playoff run.
“We are where we want to be,” he said. “But it doesn?t get any easier.”
