After a full slate of games last week, we had some fantastic games and finishes. The Buffalo Bandits swept a pair of games including an OT thriller in Philadelphia against the Wings, the Edmonton Rush crushed the Colorado Mammoth.
Power Rankings Week 3
(1) 1—Rochester Knighthawks (2-0) The Knighthawks behind an eight-point night from Cody Jamieson defeated the Wings 13-9. Going back to last season the Knighthawks have now won six in a row. Saturday night they host the Toronto Rock at the Blue Cross Arena 7:30 pm.
(2) 2—Edmonton Rush (2-0) Destroyed the Mammoth 17-6 in their home opener. 2013 Rookie of the Year Mark Matthews registered 5 G/5 A. Friday night they host the Roughnecks for the first time this season.
(3) 3—Toronto Rock (1-1) The Rock jumped out early on the Bandits taking a 6-2 lead at the half. Once Buffalo got on a roll the Rock couldn’t stop them. Rock travel to Rochester for a game Saturday night.
(9) 4—Buffalo Bandits (2-1). Battled back in second half against the Rock to get their first home win of 2014. On Sunday they held off a Wings comeback to win in overtime, led by the ageless wonder John Tavares’ five goals including the game winner. Bandits travel to face the Mammoth Saturday night.
(6) 5—Vancouver Stealth (1-1) Defeated the Swarm 8-5 in their home opener. Tyler Richards was in playoff form as the Swarm outshot them 50-33. Stealth host the struggling Mammoth Friday night, and travel to face Calgary on Saturday night.
(7) 6—Calgary Roughnecks (1-1) Picked up their first win of the season 13-11 over the Mammoth despite quiet nights from Curtis Dickson and Shawn Evans who combined for 1 G/4 A between them. This weekend Calgary will travel to face Edmonton Friday night, before returning home to face Vancouver on Saturday evening.
(4) 7—Philadelphia Wings.(1-2) Wings dropped both games this weekend, 13-9 to the Knighthawks and 12-11 in OT to the Bandits. Both games they let the opponent go on big runs, both times they came back but couldn’t get over the hump. Another set of back-to-back games as they host the Swarm Saturday afternoon before going to the Hive for a Sunday afternoon game.
(7) 8—Minnesota Swarm (0-2) Fell to Vancouver 8-5. The Swarm in 2 games have scored a total of 11 goals (5.5 avg). Defense is only allowing eight goals a game. Back-to-back games with the Wings. Home opener on Sunday.
(8) 9—Colorado Mammoth (1-3) Tough loss to Calgary 13-11 on Friday, but left that game there on Saturday as Edmonton destroyed them 17-6. Coaching staff hopes the young goalies can overcome the losses as they have another back-to-back. Travel to Vancouver Friday night before returning home to face the Bandits Saturday night.
