The 2014 season gets underway in just two short days. In two short days a ton of stories will start to develop.One big story will be can the Rochester Knighthawks do what no other team has been able to do ever, THREEPEAT.
Here is week ones Power Rankings.
1–Rochester Knighthawks. The Knighthawks will once again raise there championship banner as they open up against the Swarm. Very few changes for the champions. Goaltender of the year Matt Vinc will be between the pipes, and there offense will be led by Dangerous Dan Dawson and Cody Jamieson.
2—Toronto Rock. The Rock are idle this week. The six time champions will once again be a force in the east. They know what it takes to win. Led by Colin Doyle, Garrett Billings, and Nick Rose in net the Rock look to win a record seventh title.
3—Vancouver Stealth Their season came to an end in the Champions Cup Final against the Knighthawks. The Stealth will be a force again this season in the NLL. Led by Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff and Tyler Richards in goal the Stealth look to return to the championship again.
4—Calgary Roughnecks Calgary is idle this week. The 2013 West Division winners in the regular season look to get over that playoff hump and advance to the finals this season Offense is led by Shawn Evans, Dane Dobbie, Jeff Shattler and Curtis Dickson. Mike Poulin will be between the pipes, while Geoff Snider looks to dominate the face-offs again.
5–Philadelphia Wings. Open their season on the road facing arch rival Buffalo Bandits. Ten new players are on the roster. Loss of top American players Rabil, Seibald, Mundorf to Team USA roster for the World Games in July may hurt the chances of a playoff run. But the acquisition of Ryan Ward and Tracey Kelusky will obviously strengthen the offense with Kevin Crowley, Jordan Hall and Kevin Ross. New addition Evan Kirk will be the man between the pipes as Brandon Miller remains unsigned.
6—Edmonton Rush. A 7-1 record on the road, the Rush open this season on the road versus the Colorado Mammoth. But a 2-6 home record put the Rush in a three way tie for first and gave them a three seed due to tie-breakers. Rush look to return to the title game, but it will be difficult. With Jimmy Quinlan retiring, Corey Small lost for the season due to knee injury this past summer and Ryan Ward to free agency, a heavy load will be placed on Rookie of the Year Mark Matthews shoulders.
7–Minnesota Swarm For the Swarm they will rely on youth. Callum Crawford, Kiel Matisz, Shayne Jackson will be looked at to lead the offense as star forward Ryan Benesch is now with the Buffalo Bandits. Andrew Suitor is scheduled to return to action after a knee injury ended his 2013 season.
8—Colorado Mammoth. Open up at home as they host the Edmonton Rush. Newly acquired forward Drew Westervelt looks to help captain John Grant Jr, Adam Jones and Sean Pollock to the top of the western Division. Tye Belanger and Dillon Ward will be defending the goal.
9– Buffalo Bandits. The Bandits ended 2013 out of the playoffs at 6-10. This season they look to get back to the Bandits franchise of old with new head coach Troy Cordingley. John Tavares returns for another season, and along with Aaron Wilson and Ryan Benesch look to make 2014 an exciting one in the east. Anthony Cosmo returns between the pipes. Bandits open their season this weekend at home versus the Philadelphia Wings
NLL Power Rankings Week 1
1. Knighthawks…Two-Time defending Champions, very little changes
2. Rock………….Still a force in the east, Colin Doyle and Nick Rose lead the way
3. Stealth…………Last years runner-up, Rhys Duch & Lewis Ratcliff head the offense
4. Roughnecks…..Well balanced offense, Geoff Snider on Face-offs
5. Wings…………Evan Kirk & Ryan Ward big off-season signings
6. Rush………….Quinlan reties, Small knee injury, Ward lost to free agency
7. Swarm………..Very young team, lost Benesch to Bandits
8. Mammoth…….Loss of Prout, addition of Westervelt and Dillon Ward a plus
9. Bandits……….New head coach, offensive power in Benesch
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