It’s time to start another season of NLL action. History was made last year as the Rochester Knighthawks won their third consecutive NLL Champions Cup, the first time a team has ever done this in league history. We also had a team relocate. The Philadelphia Wings, the last of the original four teams packed their bags and moved north as the Mohegan Sun bought into the team. They will now be called the New England Blackwolves
The final rosters have been submitted. 20 active and 4 practice squad
2014 FINAL STANDINGS
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Rochester Knighthawks 14-4 Edmonton Rush 16-2
Toronto Rock 9-9 Calgary Roughnecks 12-6
Buffalo Bandits 8-10 Colorado Mammoth 8-10
Philadelphia Wings 6-12 Vancouver Stealth 4-14
Minnesota Swarm 4-14
Round 1 Round 1
Buffalo 15 @ Toronto 13 Colorado 15 @ Calgary 16
Round 2 Round 2
Rochester 8 @ Buffalo 12 (Game 1) Edmonton 11 @ Calgary 12 (Game 1)
Buffalo 8 @ Rochester 13 (Game 2) Calgary 13 @ Edmonton 15 (Game 2)
Buffalo 1 @ Rochester 2 (mini-game OT) Calgary 2 @ Edmonton 1 (mini-game)
CHAMPIONS CUP
Rochester 7 @ Calgary 10 (Game 1)
Calgary 10 @ Rochester 16 (Game 2)
Calgary 2 @ Rochester 3 (mini-game)
Rochester wins 5th Champions Cup (1997,2007, 2012, 2013,2014) Dan Dawson M.V.P.
NLL Pre-Season Power Rankings
1—Rochester Knighthawks (14-4) To be the best you have to beat the best. Last season the Knighthawks had to play mini-games against Buffalo and Calgary to win their third title. This season there was some turnover, Johnny Powless traded to Vancouver for #2 overall pick, the return of Jordan Hall, signing of Aaron Wilson. Vinc and Goodleaf between the pipes a strong defense and an offense that will light it up. Stephen Keogh(F), Brad Self(D) on P.U.P. Definite playoffs, can they win 4 in a row? It will be very tough.
2—Calgary Roughnecks (12-6) Came within 2 minutes of winning the title. They have another strong team, the retirement of Scott Ranger will hurt, but they are deep on the roster. Dickson, Dinsdale, Dobbie, Shattler, Evans (P.U.P) will put the numbers up, Geoff Snider will control the face-offs again, and the Poulin-wall will be between the pipes. Look for Calgary to make a very strong run to the Cup. A major threat to win it all, came so close in 2014. Definitely a big favorite.
3—Edmonton Rush (16-2) Finished with the best regular season record, but again fell in the Western Conference final to the Roughnecks. Edmonton is looking to get back to how it was in 2012 when they went to the finals. With the addition of Ben McIntosh (#1 overall 2014 Draft) on the offense, it reunites him with former Drexel teammate Robert Church. It also pairs him up with big Mark Matthews for a high powered offense. Lets not forget about the defense with Kyle Rubisch and Brett Mydske and Aaron Bold between the pipes will make it difficult for the opponents. They have the tools, can they get back to 2012 form and get past the huge bump known as the Calgary Roughnecks and take another run at the cup.
4—Buffalo Bandits (8-10) Lost in the mini-game to Rochester in the Eastern Finals, but not after pushing the champs to the limit. Bandit’s downfall last season was an eight game losing streak that cost them the division. This season the Bandits return the core of the team with John Tavares, Mark Steenhuis and Ryan Benesch. On defense Steve Priolo is looking to duplicate last years production. Anthony Cosmo between the pipes. Could contend for #1 in east if they stay away from a long loosing streak as in the past.
5—Toronto Rock (9-9) With the loss of Garrett Billings in the regular season it made it difficult for Toronto to defeat the Bandits in round 1. Billings is not slated to return til the midway point of the season. Another big loss is captain Colin Doyle gone for the season the Rock will be relying on Rob Hellyer Stephan LeBlanc and Josh Sanderson and Kevin Ross for the scoring. On defense they picked up Brodie Merrill and Brock Sorenson to limit opposition scoring. If the Rock can stay close until Billings returns they could be a threat. Brandon Miller and Nick Rose will stand between the pipes. If they struggle without Billings, Blackwolves or Swarm could sneak in.
6—Colorado Mammoth (8-10) Fell to Calgary in the first round. Grant Jr, Adam Jones, Athan Iannuci and Drew Westervelt return on the offense, Joey Cupido, Dan Coates, Bobby Snider on defense and the face-offs will help. Dillon Ward will be the main guy between the pipes with Alex Buque backing him up. Will be fighting with Vancouver for the final playoff spot in the west.
7—New England BlackWolves (Phila Wings 6-12) Franchise moved over summer. 11 new faces. Kevin Buchanan returns after taking 2013 off to play for Team USA. He will be joined by Kyle Buchanan, Brett Bucktooth, first round pick Mark Cockerton, Jamie Lincoln, Quinn Powless, Pat Saunders,and the center piece of the offense Kevin Crowley. Ryan Hotaling will help the transition game with Joel White and Jesse Fehr. Defense is young with elder statesman Brett Manney heading up the young group. Evan Kirk and Tye Belanger should form a good duo to keep the team in many games. Maybe with a few bounces here and there playoffs? But I don’t see playoffs in 2015, but if they keep the squad together could be a force in 2016
8—Minnesota Swarm (4-14) Went undefeated in the pre-season. Miles Thompson has lived up to the hype so far in the pre-season. Thompson seemd to gel with the ceterans like Callum Crawford as if they played for years. This is still a young team, Jordan MacIntosh will lead the transition game while Kiel Matisz will head the defense and also will be scoring some goals as well. Goaltending seems to have improved in the pre-season with both Zach Higgins and Brodie MacDonald have played fantastic in limiting opponents to one or two shots, and starting the transition with some very nice passing. Rookie of the Year Logan Schuss is a hold out due to work commitments right now. Could pose a threat in the playoff race in the east.
9—Vancouver Stealth (4-14) Traded there #2 overall pick to Rochester in return for Joel McCready and 21 yr old Johnny Powless. They will strengthen the offense with Lewis Ratcliff, Rhys Duch and Cliff Smith. Tyler Garrison, Tyler Haas Mitch McMichael will lead the transition, while Curtis Hodgson, Chris O’Dougherty and Rory Smith will lead the defense. Tyler Richards and Eric Penney will be between the pipes. Still a couple years away from playoff contention.
