Another week completed in the National Lacrosse League. Just like week one, week two did not disappoint with its stars. On both sides of the winners and losers we had many stars. Below are the top 3 of week 2.
1. Josh Sanderson (4G/10A) Toronto Rock. Sanderson picked up were he left off last week. After a 7 assist effort against the champion Knighthawks, Sanderson responded with a 14 point outburst against Vancouver in a 20-11 victory. Sanderson recorded 1G/5A alone in the 8 goals Toronto scored in the second quarter. Right now Sanderson is on pace for 189 points (36G/153A). What makes this real scary for other teams is that he is doing this without Garrett Billings (out at least til mid February), and Colin Doyle who is lost for the season.
2. Kevin Crowley (6G/4A) New England Black Wolves. After a 1G/5A performance on opening night, Crowley responded with a 10 point explosion against the defending champions en route to a 17-7 victory. Crowley has been on that side of defeat a few times since coming into the league, so there is no doubt this 10 goal victory was even sweeter. Crowley is the center piece to this offense of young talent, and with the help of Kyle and Kevin Buchanan and Pat Saunders this offense has unlimited potential.
3. Shawn Evans (5G/5A) Calgary Roughnecks. Evans seemed to be on fire in the fourth quarter as he scored all of his teams goals in the final stanza of regulation. Seems whenever Evans touched the all it was leading to a goal or an assist. Unfortunately, Joey Cupido and John Grant Jr., had other ideas as they tied the game and Junior scored again in the overtime to hand Evans and his Roughnecks a 17-16 OT loss.
Honorable Mentions
You will have the usual cast of characters in the running for your 3 Stars, and if they don’t end up as a top 3 they are always in the Honourable Mentions. John Grant Jr., (3G, OT Winner/4A), Adam Jones (3G/5A) has done nothing but produce for the Mammoth since day one of his career. Rhys Duch (3G/2A) is always on top of the stat sheet, but this week lets look at some players who struggled a bit last season and have become key parts early in the season.
Toronto Rock forward Rob Hellyer (6G/4A) Had a great season in 2014 and is continuing to get stronger, and is a key part especially this season with Garrett Billing out and Colin Doyle gone for the season.
Swarm goaltender Zach Higgins played the final 27:38 after Brodie MacDonald was pulled after allowing 9 goals on 21 shots. Higgins proceeded to stop 15/16 (.938 save percentage). And Minnesota scored 9 times to defeat Edmonton 14-10.
Joey Cupido (Mammoth) Not only did his only goal become the game tying goal (1G/3A), but Cupido led the team with 8 loose balls. Cupido also seemed to graduate from the Kyle Rubisch school of defense as he forced a game high 7 forced turnovers. Cupido is another young player that is establishing himself in the league.
Biggest surprise right now has to be the Black Wolves. Evan Kirk had another huge performace stopping 34 shots for another solid victory and is already being talked about as a front runner for goaltender of the year. Yes, we are 2 games in, but he looks stronger then ever. Kyle Buchanan (3G/6A) this week, a hat trick last week, and Joel White, one of the key components of the Dan Dawson trade. White scored twice and picked up a game high 14 loose balls in the teams victory. His play is showing why he can be one of the premier transition players on the league. Patrick Saunders (3G/3A) a hat trick last week and another this week. Saunders has definetly become a main stay on the roster and the cup of coffee will never be empty at this rate.
