1998 NLL season

Before the 1998 season, the Major Indoor Lacrosse League was renamed to be the National Lacrosse League, in the process increasing the length of the regular season from ten to twelve games. The first season as the NLL and the 12th season overall, began on January 3, 1998, and concluded with the second championship game on April 28. The championship was decided by a best-two-of-three series, with the Philadelphia Wings defeating the Baltimore Thunder 16-12 in the first game and 17-12 in the second.

1998 NLL season
LeagueNational Lacrosse League
SportIndoor lacrosse
DurationJanuary 3, 1998 - April 28, 1998
Number of games12
Number of teams7
Regular season
League championsPhiladelphia Wings
Runners-upBaltimore Thunder
Season MVPGary Gait (Baltimore Thunder)
Top scorerGary Gait (Baltimore Thunder)
Champion's Cup
ChampionsPhiladelphia Wings
  Runners-upBaltimore Thunder
Finals MVPDallas Eliuk (Philadelphia)

Team movement

The 1998 season featured the debut of two new teams, and the removal of one. The Boston Blazers folded after nine seasons in Boston and New England, while the Ontario Raiders and Syracuse Smash began play.

Regular season

Reference: [1]

PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1Philadelphia Wings – xyz1293.7500.03–36–0166148+1813.8312.33
2Baltimore Thunder – x1284.6671.04–24–2184160+2415.3313.33
3Rochester Knighthawks – x1266.5003.03–33–3168159+914.0013.25
4Buffalo Bandits – x1266.5003.04–22–4166171-513.8314.25
5Ontario Raiders1266.5003.04–22–4165157+813.7513.08
6New York Saints1257.4174.03–32–4167165+213.9213.75
7Syracuse Smash12210.1677.02–40–6163219-5613.5818.25

x: Clinched playoff berth; c: Clinched playoff berth by crossing over to another division; y: Clinched division; z: Clinched best regular season record; GP: Games Played
W: Wins; L: Losses; GB: Games back; PCT: Win percentage; Home: Record at Home; Road: Record on the Road; GF: Goals scored; GA: Goals allowed
Differential: Difference between goals scored and allowed; GF/GP: Average number of goals scored per game; GA/GP: Average number of goals allowed per game

All Star Game

No All-Star Game was played in 1998.

Playoffs
Semifinals Championship (best-of-3)
      
4 Buffalo 12
1 Philadelphia 17
2 Baltimore 0
1 Philadelphia 2
3 Rochester 14
2 Baltimore 15
  • Game 1: Baltimore 12 @ Philadelphia 16
    Game 2: Philadelphia 17 @ Baltimore 12

Awards
Award Winner Team
MVP Award Gary Gait Baltimore
Rookie of the Year Award Colin Doyle Ontario
Championship Game MVP (Series) Dallas Eliuk Philadelphia
Championship Game MVP (Game 1) Dallas Eliuk Philadelphia
Championship Game MVP (Game 2) Bill Miller Philadelphia

Weekly awards

Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.

WeekPlayer of the Week
1 Gary Gait
2 Andy Piazza
3 Derek Collins
4 Chris Gill
5 Eric Seremet
6 Tom Marechek
7 Gary Gait
8 Darris Kilgour
9 Derek General
10 Russ Heard
11 Colin Doyle
12 Steve Sombrotto
13 Mark Millon
14 John Tavares
15 Bob Watson

Monthly awards

Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie. The 1998 season was the first season that the Rookie of the Month award was given out.

MonthOverallRookie
Jan Gary GaitCurt Malawsky
Feb Darris KilgourJake Bergey
Mar Mark MillonColin Doyle

Statistics leaders

Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records.

StatPlayerTeamNumber
GoalsGary GaitBaltimore57
AssistsJim VeltmanOntario40
PointsGary GaitBaltimore85
Penalty MinutesPat CoyleOntario48
Shots on GoalGary GaitBaltimore156
Loose BallsJim VeltmanOntario194
Save PctSteve DietrichRochester77.9

See also

References
  1. "National Lacrosse League - 1998 Regular Season - Standings". NLL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
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