As the NLL season approaches the one third point, it’s time to have a look at who is off to a great start and who is off to a not-so-good start.
Underachievers
1. The Calgary Roughnecks—Who would have imagined that the Roughnecks, who came within minutes of winning the Champion’s Cup last year, would be in dead last after five games, with an 0-5 record. Granted, three of their losses have been by a single goal and two of those one-goal losses were in overtime, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. If coach Curt Malawsky doesn’t find a way to right this ship in a hurry, the collapse of the Roughnecks dynasty could be one of the lacrosse stories of the year.
2. Jeremy Thompson, Edmonton Rush—After a career year in 2014, the Rush faceoff man has taken a step backward. In 2014, Thompson won a solid 54 percent of his draws; this year he has won just 44 percent, making it tougher for the Rush to put points on the board. Not surprisingly, he’s also down on loose balls, currently on pace for 140, compared to last year’s 165. And with fewer touches, his point totals are also down (three points in four games), putting him on pace for 14 points, down from 17 last year.
3. Mike Poulin, Calgary Roughnecks—Three years removed from winning the Goaltender of the Year award, and only months after being a big part of Calgary’s run to the Finals, the Poulin Wall has played himself out of his starting role on the Roughnecks. Among NLL goalies who have logged 150 minutes or more this year, Poulin is dead last in goals against average (17.50) and save percentage (.617). He is currently six goals per game worse than his career average and relegated to being the backup for Frankie Scigliano who has been decent, but not spectacular, in his two starts so far.
Overachievers
1. Shawn Evans, Calgary Roughnecks—As bad as the Roughnecks’ season has been so far, forward Shawn Evans has nevertheless been on fire, even by his lofty standards. After back-to-back 100-point seasons and an MVP award, Evans has notched 40 points in just five games to date. At eight points per game, Evans is on pace for a whopping 144 points, which would blow John Grant Jr.’s single-season record (117) out of the water.
2. Pat Saunders, New England Black Wolves—In his first full season last year, Saunders put up a respectable 39 points in 15 games. This year he has picked up the pace significantly; he has 18 points already, including 10 goals. At this rate, he’ll break both the 80-point and the 40-goal barriers. Saunders is also on pace to record a personal-best 50 loose balls and nine caused turnovers after recording 38 loosies and just a single caused turnover last year.
3. Joel White, New England Black Wolves—Transition man White’s four points in four games this year has already equalled his total output from the 2014 season and puts him well ahead of the best pace of his career (12 points in 2013). As decent as that is, his defensive numbers are even better; his 54 loose balls put him on pace for 243 on the full season which would more than double his career best from last year (128) and his six caused turnovers put him on pace for 27, besting his 2014 total by 10.
