NLL Pre Season Game Power Rankings

Posted By on December 11, 2012

Rankings this week took a change.  We have a new #1, and a big leaper of 4 places.

Three games where played this weekend.  First game was the defending champion Rochester Knighthawks facing off against the young Minnesota Swarm.  Rochester came out on top 11-10 on a penalty shot by Johnny Powless after the Swarm where called for a bench minor with under 2 minutes to play in the game.  We saw the return of Casey Powell, who in Powell fashion showed no signs of rust. But to me the big story of the game was the play of Minnesota’s rookies, they battled to the end and looked very impressive in there first action. Can they do it in the regular season? 

Second game saw the Roughnecks demolish the Mammoth 20-11.  Granted the Mammoth were without Grant Jr, Sean Pollock, and Ian Hawksbee, but the Riggers sat Geoff Snider in second half, and Evans played a couple shifts in second quarter before calling it a night.  The big story is the goaltending or lack there of for the Mammoth. Chris Levis started the game allowing 13 goals on 33 shots for a 39% save percentage, Matt Roik played the second half allowing 7 goals on 17 shots for a 41% save percentage.  This is an area the Mammoth better fix quickly; otherwise it will be a long season.

Third game had the Rush defeat the Mammoth 12-8, Rush was led by #1 overall pick Mark Matthews 4 goals.  Although this was only pre-season, this isn’t the way the Rock wanted to start.  They look for a better showing this Saturday night as they play the Rochester Knighthawks at the BellCenter in Montreal.

      LW

  1. (2)   Calgary———–Demolished the Mammoth 20-11, complete team balance
  2. (3)   Rochester——–Johnny Powless penalty shot goal difference in 11-10 win over Swarm.
  3. (1)   Colorado———Taken behind the shed by Calgary in  20-11 loss
  4. (8)   Edmonton——–Rookie Mark Matthews 4 goals leads the way in 12-8 win over the Rock
  5. (7)   Minnesota——–Played very well in 11-10 loss to K’Hawks
  6. (4)   Toronto———–Dropped pre-season battle to Rush 12-8, look to rebound Sat vs Rochester
  7. (5)   Philadelphia——Pre-season games on 12/21 v Buffalo & 12/22 v Toronto at Toronto practice facility
  8. (6)   Buffalo———–Waiting for there pre-season turn in battle
  9. (9)   Washington——May have to wait til opener on Jan 5 v defending champion K’Hawks

Games this week:      Rochester v Toronto  at Montreal Bell Center.  There may not be hockey, but there will be lacrosse!  The boards will see some action!