With the March 13 trade deadline fast approaching it doesn’t appear that the Washington Stealth will make any changes to their lineup.
A great team starts with great goaltending and the Stealth have one of the best in the league in Tyler Richards. He has a goals against average of 10.35 which is good enough for second in the National Lacrosse League. T-Rich can win a game by himself and he proved that in week 5 with his 51 save performance versus the Colorado Mammoth. He held John Grant scoreless that game which a feat close to impossible and he’s the only goalie in the league who can boast that this season.
On defence the Stealth are loaded with talent including standout rookie Mitch McMichael. Sportscentre Mitch, as he teammates like to call him, has been a great addition to this team. Acquired by Washington in November, McMichael looks like a seasoned veteran every time he steps on the turf. He can also contribute offensively and has already accumulated 5 goals in his first 11 games of professional lacrosse.
When asked if there were any areas the Stealth needed to improve down the stretch, McMichael said he didn’t think so. “I don’t expect to see any changes and I don’t think there should be. I think the guys we have right now are the guys we should stick with. I don’t want to see anybody on this team leave and I don’t think there’s any areas where we need to get better. I think we need to keep progressing and build on what we’ve done so far”. McMichael also added “the group of guys we have right now is the right group and hopefully we’ll be holding the trophy at the end of the season”.
Washington has tons of depth on their offence and it would be shocking to see them make any movement up front. Three of the NLL’s top point getters are from the Stealth. Rhys Duch has been on fire this season and with 65 points (31g 34a) he’s only 7 behind the league leader Shawn Evans. Sitting in the 14th spot is Lewis Ratcliff with 45 points (21g 24a) and a point behind him is one of the best overall players in the league Athan Iannucci with 44 (21g 23a). The big three have an amazing supporting cast around them and GM/Coach Chris Hall should be content with his current roster.
Expect to see the March 13th trade deadline come on go without any movement on the Stealth roster. Currently they sit first in the West and have been the hottest and most consistent teams in the league this season. Unless they get plagued with injuries, the Washington Stealth should go deep into the playoffs as they look to hoist their first Champion’s Cup in franchise history.
