Again we have a new #1….The TORONTO ROCK have reclaimed the #1 position. What will next weeks Rankings look like? Watch the NLL this Saturday night as we have some classic matchups
LW
1 2 (+1) Toronto Rock (4-1)
2 3 (+1) Buffalo Bandits (3-1)
3 9 (+6) Calgary Roughnecks (2-2)
4 4 Washington Stealth (3-2) @ Rochester Sat 8:00pm
5 1 (-4) Philadelphia Wings (2-2) BYE This week Feb 8 11am vs Rochester
6 5 (-1) Edmonton Rush (1-2) vs Calgary Sat 9:00pm
7 7 Minnesota Swarm (1-2) @ Colorado Sat 9:00pm
8 6 (-2) Colorado Mammoth (1-2)
The Toronto Rock are clearly the #1 team in this weeks ILWT Power Rankings. With their hard fought one goal home win over a very hungry and young Swarm team, then playing the following night in Rochester and defeating them 11-7, the Rock now have the best record in the 2013 season at 4-1
The Buffalo Bandits come in at #2 this week after their last minute victory over the Philadelphia Wings. Luke Wiles scored the game winner on the power play just :19 seconds after the Wings tied the game at 13 with a shorthanded goal.
Calgary is the biggest jumper this week, moving up to #3, and how can they not be.. After starting 0-2, the Roughnecks go on the road and face the two oldest franchises in the history of the NLL/MILL/Eagle Pro. They defeat the Mammoth 19-12, then travel to Philadelphia and beat the Wings 16-8. This UN-balanced team a couple weeks ago seem to be back on steady ground with these two dominating performances.
Washington Stealth hold ground at # 4 with a split of their weekend games. The Stealth put together a perfect third quarter outscoring the Rush 3-0 to take the lead and hold on for the win. On Saturday they faced the Minnesota Swarm and fell 15-14. After being down 10-6 at the half and 14-10 after three, the Stealth scored four times but it wasn’t enough. Washington still leads the Western Conference
Philadelphia Wings drop from the top of the mountain with two loses this weekend. A heartbreaker in the final 24 seconds 14-13 in Buffalo, a game that could of gone either way. Then returning home to be roughed up by the Roughnecks 16-8, a team that seem to hit their stride in the beating they put on the Mammoth Friday night.
Edmonton Rush drop one spot as they fall in the rematch at home to Washington 12-10, bright spot for Edmonton is Mark Matthews who continues to prove why he is the #1 pick, and why he will be the Rookie of the Year.
Minnesota Swarm could easily be 3-0. They split their weekend matchups. First falling to the Rock 13-12, but then rebounding and opening their home slate by defeating the Stealth 15-14. All of the Swarms games have been decided by 1 goal. This is a very young team, so watch out.
Colorado Mammoth: The ONLY reason they are at #8 is because of the one win they have. This past weekend they were beaten handily by the Roughnecks 19-12 on there home floor. Colorado has some MAJOR questions between the pipes as Chris Levis and Matt Roik are struggling. I look for something to be down very soon. Whether they bring Dan Lewis in, or make a trade for a young goalie who has indoor experience, lets say.. Brodie MacDonald for example. But whatever they do, it needs to be done quick.
Rochester Knighthawks. What is wrong with the defending champions?! They are now 0-3 after falling to the Toronto Rock 11-7 Saturday night. Is it possible the trade to acquire Dan Dawson, and the signing of Casey Powell disrupted the chemistry? Are they still in Championship hangover mode? Or are these the “growing pains” Pat O’Toole talked about last year? Whatever the problem is, they better fix the quick.
