BOSTON, Mass. (August 5, 2008) -After an exciting weekend of play in Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the four teams that will compete at the 2008 NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend have been determined. The Philadelphia Barrage (7-4) and Los Angeles Riptide (7-4) secured the final two spots to join the Denver Outlaws (8-3) and Rochester Rattlers (8-3) at Harvard Stadium on August 23-24.

The defending Champion Barrage clinched their playoff spot with a 16-11 victory over the Boston Cannons on Saturday. Kevin Keenan became the story of the night as he filled in for veteran goalkeeper Brian Dougherty, who was unable to travel for the game due to illness. Keenan made 27 saves in the victory. Later that evening, Riptide rookie Kevin Huntley scored seven goals to lead Los Angeles past the San Francisco Dragons by a score of 15-9.

Coincidently, these are the same four teams which competed for the League Championship last season. In 2007, the Rattlers, Outlaws, Barrage, and Riptide all advanced to NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend at Rochester’s PAETEC Park. The Barrage won their third MLL title, defeating the Riptide by a score of 16-13 in the Championship Game. Philadelphia midfielder Matt Striebel was named Championship Weekend Bud Light MVP. Striebel tallied five goals and four assists over the course of the weekend. It was Philadelphia’s second title in as many years.

The playoff format will be the same as it has been the past two seasons. As Conference Champions, the Denver Outlaws and Rochester Rattlers are automatically assured the top two spots. The # 1 overall seed will play the #4 seed, while the #2 seed will face-off against the #3 seed.

And while the exact playoff pairings have not yet been established yet, they will be determined during the final weekend of play. Denver can clinch the top spot with a win OR a Rochester loss, while the Rattlers would need both a win AND a loss by the Outlaws to claim the #1 seed. Los Angeles could claim the #3 seed with a win OR a Philadelphia loss, while the Barrage would need both a win AND a loss by the Riptide to claim the third seed.

On Saturday, Denver travels to Boston to face the Cannons, the Barrage “host” the New Jersey Pride at Hillsboro Stadium in Oregon, and the Los Angeles Riptide will look for a sweep of the Dragons this season when they host San Francisco at Orange Coast College. On Sunday, the Rattlers travel to Chicago to play the Machine.

The 2008 NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend takes place August 23-24 at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass. The semi-final games will be held at 12:00 PM ET and 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, August 23. The two Semi-Final winners will advance to the NB ZIP MLL Championship Game at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 24. Saturday’s first semi-final game, as well as Sunday’s Championship Game will air live on ESPN2.

Tickets for the 2008 NB ZIP Championship Weekend are still available and can be purchased by calling the Cannons ticket office at 617-202-0240 or by visiting the Cannons’ website at www.bostoncannons.com.