The regular season is over and boy was it exciting. No one expecting Toronto to play as well as they did with Colin Doyle and Garrett Billings out for most of the year, then they trade Billings and get a bit stronger with Kevin Crowley. Rochester another 13 win season, and the Bandits coming into the playoffs red hot. Edmonton and Colorado fought it out til about a month to go for the division, while Calgary and Vancouver made week 18 the start of the playoffs for those two teams. Its now Playoff time, records don’t matter, it’s a different animal, time to lay it all out there.
Will Rochester win their fourth consecutive title? If so, it will give them six, tying them with Toronto and Philadelphia for the most in NLL history. While the Rock are going for #7. Can Buffalo continue their hot run and win their first title since 2008? In the west, you have Edmonton looking to return to the title game since 2012 and win their very first cup, while Colorado (2006) and Calgary (2009) look to get back on top of the mountain.
Final Power Rankings
LW
(1)….1—Toronto Rock* (14-4) The Rock did what was needed and didn’t have to rely on help to clinch the best record in the NLL. A 10-7 win over New England locked up home floor throughout the playoffs for Toronto who is seeking title number 7. The return of Colin Doyle and Rob Hellyer showed how deep and strong this team is. Toronto is off this week and will face the winner of this weekends Rochester/Buffalo matchup.
(3)….2—Edmonton Rush* (13-5) Already having a first round bye clinched a few weeks ago the Rush ended the regular season with a 13-10 win over Colorado. Edmonton will face the winner of Calgary/Colorado. This season Edmonton went 4-0 vs Colorado and 2-2 vs Calgary.
(2)….3—Rochester Knighthawks* (13-5) The Knighthawks fate was set on Friday night. After a Toronto win, it assured the Knighthawks would face the Bandits in round one. The Knighthawks go into the first round after a 13-12 OT loss to the Swarm. But more importantly they go in healthy. Paul Dawson appealed his one game suspension and a decision will be made sometime tomorrow. Rochester hosts Buffalo in round 1 Friday 7pm.
(5)….4—Buffalo Bandits* (11-7) In the past the Bandits have gone into the playoffs ice cold. This year they are one of the hottest going into the post season after finishing the regular season with a convincing 20-10 win over New England. After struggling the first half of the season at 4-5, the Bandits have gone 7-2. They visit Rochester in the first round. Bandits went 0-3 against the Hawks. Faceoff 7pm Friday.
(4)….5—Colorado Mammoth* (9-9) The Mammoth go into the playoffs after losing the final regular season game 13-10 to Edmonton. Colorado already had their position already set for the first round a few weeks ago, so the goal for them was to stay healthy. The Mammoth went 2-1 versus Calgary this season. Colorado hosts Calgary Saturday 9pm
(6)….6—Calgary Roughnecks* (7-11) After starting 0-6 the Roughnecks have made the playoffs after a thrilling 14-13 win over Vancouver. Calgary was just a matter of a couple minutes from hoisting the cup last year. This is a team I would worry about. The playoffs are a different animal. Calgary visits Colorado in round one Saturday 9pm.
(7)….7—Vancouver Stealth (5-13) Vancouver fell in the final game to Calgary 14-13 thus ending their chances for a playoff game. Many of us had the Stealth slated as the third team once Calgary started 0-6 and had many chances to end the race early but failed to do so. Time for the Stealth to regroup and get ready for 2016.
(8)….8—Minnesota Swarm (6-12) Swarm have been out of contention with a month to go in the season, but a big emotional win over the Knighthawks 13-12 in OT sent the fans home happy. Since the final game the Swarm have released the coaching staff, and whats more interesting is they refunded the fans money from payments they made for possible playoff tickets. Usually the money gets put towards the following season, but this leads many to believe either the team is moving to another area of Minnesota (St.Paul?) or maybe the Swarm will be another team to move or fold.
(9)….9—New England Black Wolves (4-14) As of six weeks ago the Black Wolves had their destiny in their own hands. But ending the season on a six game losing streak seals the fate of watching the playoffs from home. A 20-10 loss to Buffalo is how the Black Wolves ended the seaon. After Friday nights home finale, Head Coach Blaine Harrison announced he will be stepping down as his job will have him relocating to Michigan. What this holds for the rest of the staff, we will have to wait and see. With a healthy Quinn Powless returning next season this team will look to turn heads, if they don’t do another massive roster turnover.
