Week 1 is in the books and saying it was exciting is an understatement. New England received a franchise and the fans were rewarded with a victory, Rochester raised their third championship banner, Mammoth and Stealth put huge numbers up in their games. And think, we have 17 more weeks of this.
NLL Power Rankings Week 1
1—Toronto Rock (1-0) Used a four-goal fourth to battle back and spoil the night for the Knighthawks as they raised their banner. Without Colin Doyle for the season and Garrett Billings ’til at least Week 9, Toronto dug deep, and stayed close all game. Josh Sanderson (seven assists), and Rob Hellyer (3 G, 3 A) led the way. Big story was Brandon Miller keeping them in the game all night, and Toronto picked up 94 loose balls to Rochester’s 59. Toronto will travel to Langley B.C. to face the 1-0 Vancouver Stealth 10:30 pm ET.
2—Colorado Mammoth (1-0) John Grant Jr., and Adam Jones combined for 8 G, 7 A and led an 11 goal outburst in the fourth quarter to turn a 10-9 deficit to a 20-13 win over the Minnesota Swarm. The Mammoth scored six in a row from the third into the fourth quarter to take control of the game. Mammoth open their home schedule Saturday at 9 pm as Calgary comes for a visit.
3—Vancouver Stealth (1-0) One of the biggest surprises this week as they went into Calgary and won 18-14. The Stealth scored 11 consecutive goals that started at 11:39 of Quarter 2 and ended at 2:12 of the fourth to turn a 9-4 deficit to a 15-9 lead they would not release. Rhys Duch (4 G), Tyler Digby and Ilija Gajic each with hat tricks led the offense for the Stealth. Vancouver hosts Toronto at 10:30 pm ET Saturday as they open their home schedule.
4—New England Black Wolves (1-0) After a rough summer that saw the team relocate, the Black Wolves came out in front of their home crowd and controlled their game and defeated Buffalo 12-8. Pat Saunders and Kyle Buchanan registered 3 G, 1 A each, Kevin Crowley 2 G, 4 A and goaltender Evan Kirk stood tall stopping 50 of 58 shots he faced. Black Wolves went 4-11 on the power play. Black Wolves are home again this Saturday as the defending champion Knighthawks come into town, Saturday 7 pm ET.
5—Buffalo Bandits (1-1) After dropping the opening game 12-8 against New England, the Bandits returned home and defeated the Edmonton Rush 9-8. After trailing 3-1 the Bandits scored seven straight to take control of the game. Buffalo’s defense stood tall as they held off the Rush in the final 9:20 to win 9-8. Bandits are off this week, and return to action January 17 as they visit the Vancouver Stealth.
6—Rochester Knighthawks (0-1) After a banner raising ceremony second to none, the Knighthawks dropped their opener 13-12 to the Toronto Rock. This was an up and back battle the entire 60 minutes. Cody Jamieson (2 G, 6 A) and Dan Dawson (2 G, 4 A) led the offense. Knighthawks were limited on shots as they only picked up 59 loose balls to Toronto’s 94. Knighthawks travel to face the Black Wolves Saturday 7 pm.
7—Edmonton Rush (0-1) Took control of the game immediately, but lost it just as quick as Buffalo pumped in seven straight goals. Edmonton was held scoreless the final 9:20. Mark Matthews and Robert Church (2 G, 3 A each) and rookie Ben McIntosh in his first regular season professional game scored a hat trick. Rush return home and will face the Minnesota Swarm Saturday 9 pm ET. This game will be highlighted by two of the top rookies in Miles Thompson and Ben McIntosh.
8—Calgary Roughnecks (0-1) Had their home opener spoiled by the Stealth as they were bombed by an 11-goal run. Curtis Dickson and Jeff Shattler scored a hat trick each and Dane Dobbie scored four times to lead the offense. Mike Poulin was chased from the net after 39 minutes and allowing 12 goals. Calgary goes on the road to Colorado for a 9 pm matchup Saturday night.
9—Minnesota Swarm (0-1) After a great preseason, the Swarm dropped their home opener 2013 to Colorado. An 11-goal fourth quarter sealed the fate of the Swarm. Shayne Jackson (3 G, 4 A) led the Swarm offense, while rookie Miles Thompson recorded a hat trick. Minnesota travels to Edmonton for a game versus the Rush. Game time is 9 pm eastern.
