We went into Week 11 with two teams having a chance to clinch a playoff spot, and we left with the same two teams waiting to clinch. The Washington Stealth could of punched their ticket to the post-season with a win over Minnesota, but they were stung early an often inside the Hive as they fell 12-5. The Rock could of clinched as well. They held up their end by defeating the Wings 13-8, so all they needed was a Swarm or Mammoth loss, neither happened. Toronto is the only team that can clinch this week. A Colorado loss to Calgary, or a Rock win over the Rush punches the Rocks ticket to another post-season. A win for the Rock will also reduce their magic number to 3 for best overall record in the league and have the Rock enjoying home cooking throughout the playoffs, and another chance for the elusive 7th Championship.
-
Toronto Rock 8-3 The Rock just kept rolling and rolling Saturday afternoon as they took advantage of a still injury riddled Wings team Brodie Merrill (concussion), Brett Manney (hamstring), enroute to a 13-8 victory. Nick Rose was solid in the second half allowing only 3 goals. Rock can clinch a playoff berth with a Mammoth loss on Saturday, or a win over there next opponent Sunday @ 3pm Edmonton Rush
2. Edmonton Rush 6-5 Have won 5 of their last 6 games and are 5-1 on the road this season. They have tied a franchise record for road wins at 5 (2010). The flip side is they are a dismal 1-4 at home, and last three games of the season are at home. Rush came up big this past weekend defeating Rochester in the title rematch 11-9. Like last season they saw a 4 goal lead dwindle in the third qtr, but held it together for the win. The Rush finish their time on the road for the 2013 regular season with two stops this weekend. Sat @ Buffalo 7:30pm and Sunday @ Toronto 3pm
3. Washington Stealth 7-5 The Stealth’s lead in the West is down to a half game as they were stung early and often Saturday night in the Hive as the Swarm won 12-5. The Stealth could be looking at a tie (Calgary win) or could be a half game out (Rush sweep weekend). Stealth have a bye this week as their next two games will be a home and home match versus Calgary. March 30 at home, and April 6th in Calgary. Stealth lead season series 1-0
4. Calgary Roughnecks 6-5 Are coming off a bye week after they defeated the Swarm 19-15 on March 8th. The bye week could be just what the doctor ordered for the Roughnecks after the victory 2 weeks ago. After this game versus Colorado, we will have a showing of “How the West was won” as Calgary will face Washington in consecutive weeks. This could decide who wins the west. Calgary lost the only meeting so far this seaon to Washington 16-14 so they need to win both games to take the season series and hold the tie-breaker. Next opponent Saturday night March 23rd versus Colorado 9pm.
5 Philadelphia Wings 5-5 Drop their second in a row, and are 2-4 at home. In the four loses they have been totally outplayed. Loss by 10 to Roc, 8 vs Calgary, 6 vs Washington, 5 vs Toronto. That’s 29 goals, 7.5 avg. This week vs Toronto was no different as Toronto took advantage of the Wings injuries and another slow start that saw the Wings score only once in the first quarter, and trail by 4 at the half yet again. Wings are on another bye week as they prepare for Minnesota on the 29th and Colorado on the 30th both games on the road. Wings coaches and players have 11 days to get all the cylinders working.
6. Buffalo Bandits 5-6 In what some thought would be fight filled the PIM’s were cut in half, only 58 combined minutes. But the Bandits came out on the losing end again this time by a 16-13 score. Anthony Cosmo was again pulled in favor of Kurtis Wager, this time with 8 minutes remaining in the game. They are 2-4 at home this season and will now face the hottest team in the NLL in the Edmonton Rush (5-1 road, won 5 of last 6 games) March 23rd 7:30.
7 Rochester Knighthawks 4-6 In a game that was dubbed “The Rematch”. The hawks again fell down by 4 at the half, but unlike last year they were unable to complete the comeback and fell 11-9 to the Rush. The Knighthawks are 1-5 at home. They are on a bye this week as they prepare for their final two home games of the season. March 30th vs Toronto, and April 6th vs Philadelphia
8. Colorado Mammoth .4-7 Two big wins over the Bandits the last two weeks have kept the Mammoth season alive. After a 14-10 loss to Toronto on March 8th , the Mammoth sat at 2-7, they insert Tye Belanger between the pipes and add Casey Powell to the offense and you have a two game winning streak and hope for the playoffs. It doesn’t get any easier for the Mammoth. Next opponent Saturday March 23rd @ Calgary 9pm
9 Minnesota Swarm 4-7 The Swarm came out and Stung the Stealth early and often as Callum Crawford 8 pts (4 goals), Ryan Benesch (hat-trick) and Tyler Carlson stopping 48-53 shots (90.56% save). The Swarm are non a bye this week as they prepare to host the Wings on March 29th before going on the road April 6th @ Buffalo, and April 7th Philadelphia. Then the final 2 games of the season will be against Colorado which could be for the final playoff spot.
LW Team Record
-
1 Toronto Rock 8-3
-
5 (+3) Edmonton Rush 6-5
-
2 (-1) Washington Stealth 7-5
-
3 (-1) Calgary Roughnecks 6-5
-
4 (-1) Philadelphia Wings 5-5
-
6 Buffalo Bandits 5-6
-
7 Rochester Knighthawks 4-6
-
8 Colorado Mammoth 4-7
-
9 Minnesota Swarm 4-7
Now… If that doesn’t have your head spinning, watch all the action this weekend on The Lacrosse Network via YouTube.com . I can guarantee you will be spinning more as we get to crunch time in the 2013 season!
And if you haven’t heard by now…… We got to 18 GAMES starting next season! More time for head spinning! How can you not love this game?!
Comments are closed.