Just three games were slated for Week 5 of the National Lacrosse League but all three were were one goal nail biters. The games were staggered just enough that they barely overlapped which allowed fans to catch the majority of the entire Week 5 action.
Lots of great players to pick from this week but there can only be three; here are the Three Stars for Week 5 of the NLL
Third Star – Mark Matthews of the Edmonton Rush (4-0)
Edmonton had a big come from behind win against the Vancouver Stealth on Saturday and Mark Matthews once again came through large as he chipped in two goals and three assists for the Rush. His first goal came 24 seconds into the fourth quarter which got the Rush to within one while his second goal stood up to be the eventual game winner.
Second Star- Brodie Macdonald of the Edmonton Rush (4-0)
The big beast Brodie Macdonald came in to relieve Aaron Bold 16 seconds into the second quarter after Bold let in four goals on 13 shots. Macdonald was steady for the next 44 minutes while making 23 saves on 27 shots in a huge comeback win versus the Vancouver Stealth. With a record of 4-0, the Rush are now the only undefeated team at 4-0.
First Star – Adam Jones of the Colorado Mammoth (2-5)
Jones had seven goals on 10 shots and one assist in a much needed 14-13 overtime win for the Mammoth as they travelled to Calgary to face the Roughnecks. Jones was scoring from everywhere on the floor on Saturday including two beauties from in tight. He had a goal in all four quarters including four goals in the second quarter alone. Jones leads the league in points with 37 and goals with 23 (seven ahead of Dane Dobbie who sits second).
Honourable mentions go out to Tyler Richards and Rhys Duch of the Vancouver Stealth. Richards made 49 saves in the loss against Edmonton while Duch had three goals and two assists. John Grant Jr. scored another ridiculous goal as he pulled a backhand out of nowhere which went right past a stunned Poulin to give the Mammoth the overtime win. Joel McCready of the Rochester Knighthawks picked up his first career hat trick in an 11-10 loss in Buffalo against the host Bandits while John Tavares had four goals for the home side.
