LIVESTREAM Finland: Helsinki Roosters @ Lohja Crusaders, Aug. 8, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am EDT)
The Lohja Crusaders (1-9) will play host to the league-leading Helsinki Roosters (8-1) Thursday, August 8 as Finland’s Maple League heads into the home stretch of the season.
This is the second of two meetings between these two teams this season. The Roosters defeated Lohja 63-7 in the first encounter.
The Crusaders are coming off a 33-7 loss to the Helsinki Wolverines following their first win of the season in which they defeated the Wasa Royals 41-37 two weeks ago. Otherwise they have had a tough year. They were manhandled by the Kuopío Steelers 62-14 in the opening week of play, and then by the Roosters 63-7. However, they finally found their offense against the Seinäjoki Crocodiles but their defense let them down as they lost, 63-41. The Butchers whipped them 46-0 before they lost to the Royals 32-20. They lost a close one, 41-39 to the Helsinki Wolverines before another lopsided loss to the Crocodiles, 63-8.
The Roosters defeated the Wasa Royals 28-12 in their opening day game and then upended the defending champion Porvoo Butchers 28-7. They handed the United Newland Crusaders a 63-7 drubbing before beating the Wolverines. The Roosters dropped a 24-14 decision to the Kuopio Steelers but rebounded by winning four in a row beating the defending champion Seinäjoki Crocodiles 27-19, the Wolverines 42-7, the Steelers 34-13 and the Crocodiles 42-35.
Watch live. Helsinki Roosters @ Lohja Crusaders, Aug. 8, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am EDT)
The Crusaders enter Thursday’s game with a small roster and will be missing running back Moses Harris who is one of the keys to their offense. He will be replaced by young Marcos Eric Mikkosen.
Crusaders quarterback Bryce Macina (Franklin University, NCAA Div. II) is the fourth leading passer in the league and has thrown for 1,907 yards and 19 touchdowns. Oskari Suoniemi is his leading receiver with 52 catches for 705 yards and 10 touchdowns. Macina has rushed for 238 yards so far this year and he will be needed in the capacity today with Harris out of the lineup.
Roosters quarterback Ambro Urjansson has thrown for 1,929 yards and 20 touchdowns in the nine games. With a revolving door of receivers due to injury, the Roosters are still able to maintain consistency in the passing game. Bruce Nunnelly tops the team with 645 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns while Johannes Jauhiainen has 268 yards receiving and two scores. Running back Ethan Greenfield has 91 carries for 775 yards and 14 touchdowns, good for second in the Maple League.
Watch live. Helsinki Roosters @ Lohja Crusaders, Aug. 8, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am EDT)
