Derek Hopcroft – Buffalo Bandits – After registering 30 points in eight games with the Toronto Shooting Stars of the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax), Hopcroft was called up to the Bandits for their recent road loss versus the Colorado Mammoth. Hopcroft shined in his first NLL appearance of the year, scoring 3 goals while adding 2 assists for a 5 point night.
Jamie Rooney – Buffalo Bandits – Registered 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in Buffalo’s loss to the Mammoth. Since being acquired from Toronto, Rooney’s recent five point appearance marked just his second appearance of the year. With the recent release of Luke Wiles opening up more room on the Bandits’ right side, Rooney has an opportunity to continue his momentum versus Edmonton.
Casey Powell – Colorado Mammoth – Powell had 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points in his debut with the Mammoth, a 16-13 win over the Buffalo Bandits. Powell has the ability to quarterback a Mammoth offense filled with talented finishers such as John Grant Jr., Adam Jones and Jordan McBride.
Jordan McBride – Colorado Mammoth – McBride benefited tremendously from Powell’s addition to the Mammoth line up. The Stony Brook alum registered 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in the Colorado win, with Powell registering an assist on each of McBride’s four tallies. Three of McBride’s goals were also scored on the power-play.
Scott Evans – Toronto Rock – The Peterborough, Ontario native will be facing his former squad this weekend when the Rock take on the Edmonton Rush. Evans deposited two goals in his return to Edmonton earlier this season. Evans has averaged just under two points per game this year, with his season high being a four point effort in an earlier February victory over the Buffalo Bandits. Evans is known for his big time performances, as showcased in Peterborough’s Mann Cup victories, facing his former teammates on the Rock’s home turf is the type of scenario that could elevate Evans’ game.
Curtis Knight – Edmonton Rush – Despite being out-shined by Rush teammate and Rookie of the Year favorite Mark Matthews, Knight has been having a quietly successful freshman campaign in Edmonton. Knight has 32 points in 11 games this season, good for fourth on Edmonton offensively. The Whitby, Ontario native had a 3 goal and 2 assist performance in his rookie debut versus the Rock and has potential to have a repeat performance on the ACC turf this weekend.
Kyle Belton – Toronto Rock – Belton had a hat-trick performance last weekend in Toronto’s 13-8 win over the Philadelphia Wings. The rookie was previously held scoreless on the year before breaking out versus the Wings. Belton netted three goals in an exhibition match-up versus Edmonton and if his hot stick continues he will undoubtedly see more time in the Rock’s offensive mix.
Josh Sanderson – Toronto Rock – After a 4 goal performance versus the Wings last weekend, Sanderson now leads Toronto in goals with 22 on the season. Sanderson’s 48 points thus far trail only Colin Doyle and Garrett Billings in the Rock scoring race. Sanderson scored twice in the Rock’s early season win over Edmonton.
Shawn Evans – Calgary Roughnecks – Evans leads all NLL scorers with 72 points in 11 games this season. With five regular season games remaining, Evans is on the cuff of surpassing his career high single points record of 79. With Evans averaging 6.54 points per game on the season, including 7 point and 13 point performances in Calgary’s previous two early season match-ups against the Mammoth, the righty could potentially set new career highs this weekend.
