Photo Credit: Garrett James
The Vancouver Stealth enter the 2015 National Lacrosse League schedule with one of the more impressive rosters since their 2010 championship team. With many moves in the offseason and from draft day Vancouver is looking to once again make it too and create a run in the post season.
With 11 divisional games in 2015, there will be no rest in Vancouver’s battle for the division. The Stealth will face both the Calgary Roughnecks and Colorado Mammoth 4 times. Calgary coming off their narrow loss in the Champions Cup finals to the Rochester Knighthawks will prove to be a test and possibly a benchmark on the Stealth’s season, coming out the gate against each other in week 1.
Colorado always proves to be a great match up with the Stealth. Led by one of lacrosse greatest players John Grant Jr , the Stealth have been on the losing end of a few highlight reel clips. With the key pickups of Rory Smith, Tyler Burton, and the returning players could spell trouble, as they have been known to shut him down a time or two. Whenever these two teams meet it is sure to be a good one with 3 of their 4 games last year coming down to a 1 goal differential.
Edmonton came out last year taking names, as the front-runner for the cup early on. The Stealth who was playing with pride all season long gave them their stiffest competition in their first two meetings, losing by a goal each game. It was not until the last game between them that Edmonton asserted their dominance, beating the Stealth by 5. The part that plays to Vancouver’s favor is the offensive power they put into place with Johnny Powless, and Caleb Wiles strengthening the left side and veteran Joel McCready on the right.
Vancouver will face both the Toronto Rock and Buffalo Bandits twice this season. Toronto and the Stealth have a great rivalry dating back to 2010 and 2011 when the two teams faced off in back to back Champions Cup finals, splitting the series. The loss of Colin Doyle and Garrett Billings is a huge blow to a talented team. This alone gives the advantage to Vancouver heading into the season.
Buffalo with their gritty play, rich history, and rowdy crowd will be a huge factor when the Stealth are on the road. Never and easy task at home either, but I see Powless dominating the left side, and McCready the right, as they would if they were still in a Rochester Knighthawks jersey. Giving this one a potential split, as Buffalo is always tough in front of their home crowd, yes a shout out to Banditland.
The Stealth round out their schedule with a game a piece with the rest of the East and the NLL. Playing the defending champs the Rochester Knighthawks, the newly located New England Blackwolves, and the Stealth’s bottom dwelling buddies from last year the Minnesota Swarm. It will be the first meeting of the Rochester Knighthawks and Stealth after the draft day trade of Johnny Powless that rocked the NLL world. Taking place in the same building when the Knighthawks beat the Stealth in 2013 for the Cup, the Stealth will win this one in front of their home crowd.
New England and Minnesotta have made some changes, one a bit more dramatic. New England will have to adapt to their new home, new crowd, and some new players. It took the Stealth at least a year to adjust, and I see it taking New England time as well, it will be tough to replace all the history and vibe the fans brought in Philly. I do see the team having some success just do not think it should be measured at the gates or in wins this year, edge Stealth.
Minnesota and the Stealth have been in some great games over the years with the Swarm bouncing between the two divisions in the NLL. With some impressive roster moves and preseason, could Miles Thompson be the spark to ignite the under performing offense of last year. This matchup between the two teams is a testament of how things failed for both organizations last year, and how they both recovered. I see both teams not only making a run at the playoffs, but as division leaders. This one is going to go to the hosts, the Vancouver Steatlh.
Rebounding from a lack luster year, and a heavy division schedule the year could go either way. I see the Stealth rising to the occasion, redeeming themselves once again from a bad season entering the playoffs at 13-5.
