The National Lacrosse League season is just around the corner, and teams have finally narrowed down their rosters. There is a lot to be excited about, but here are just a few things to keep an eye out for. Three Americans in Toronto One of the biggest stories out of training camp is a trio of Major League Lacrosse players joining the Toronto Rock in league MVP Tom Schreiber, Connor…
NLL All Cut Teams: 2017 Season Edition
With so much lacrosse talent and only nine teams in the current National Lacrosse League, it’s easy to say there could be double the amount of teams in the league before the competition level became watered down. Using cuts from this year’s preseason only, there are two team possibilities that us at ILWT could come up with. Team One Goalie: Cody Hagedorn, Zach Higgins Defense: John Ranagan, Mike Triolo,…
New NLL Logo Simply an Expression of Change
Whether or not you like the new National Lacrosse League logo isn’t really the point. The league revealed its first logo change since 1998 on Saturday, and reactions to the actual design have been mixed. Gone is the silhouette of a lacrosse player and in its place, a shield logo with a four pointed star to honor the league’s original four teams. If the design is good or not? It’s…
Rock Finish Preseason Undefeated
The Toronto Rock ended their preseason on a high Saturday night defeating the Buffalo Bandits 15-13 for their third consecutive win. They finished the preseason 3-0 and will now prepare for their season opener in Rochester on December 29. Toronto built a 9-3 lead in the second quarter but their rivals from Buffalo wouldn’t be denied and kept coming. Mark Steenhuis, Ryan Benesch, and Connor Brown each had a…
Tensions Run High in Rush Pre Season Win Over Roughnecks
It may have been preseason, but don’t tell that to the 12,000 plus fans who packed into the SaskTel Centre on Friday night to watch the Saskatchewan Rush defeat the Calgary Roughnecks 9-6. With moments remaining in the fourth quarter a brawl broke out that included both the team’s goalies. Greg Harnett was sent to the box late in the game for five minutes after it appeared he targeted the head…
Shawn Williams Retires an NLL Legend
Last week, one of the all-time great retired from the game. Shawn Williams (Willy), announced his retirement from the National Lacrosse League, and Major Series Lacrosse. Williams leaves the game ranked in the top ten in four offensive categories. 257 games played is 7th all time, 444 goals places him 7th, 708 assists 6th all time and 1,152 total points is good for the 7th slot all-time. Williams’ career in…
Rock Cruising Through Pre-Season
The Toronto Rock moved to 2-0 in NLL pre-season play with a 15-9 win over the Colorado Mammoth Saturday night at the TRAC in Oakville. Hundreds of fans packed the TRAC for the Rock’s second of three home pre-season games. Last week the Rock defeated the Georgia Swarm 10-8 and next week they will host their division rival Buffalo Bandits. The Rock rolled out to a 5-2 lead after the…
Even Without McNamara, Black Wolves Have Deep Defense
As soon as they traded for Shawn Evans before last season, it was clear the New England Black Wolves were going to be able to score. With the Buchanans, a vastly improved Pat Saunders, and newcomers Chad Culp and Reilly O’Connor, there’s no doubt New England is going to be able to find the back of the net early and often in 2017. Evan Kirk was a rock between the…
MLL All Star Game Back to Cali: Sacramento Hosts
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier outdoor professional lacrosse league, announced today the 2017 MLL All-Star Game will be played in Sacramento, CA at Bonney Field, home to Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League on Saturday, July 8. The state of California will host the MLL All-Star Game for the second straight year after the 2016 contest was held in Fullerton. “The sport of lacrosse is growing tremendously…
NLL Pre Season Round Up: Debuts Galore in Week One
National Lacrosse League season is almost here, and this weekend saw each team in action over the course of three locations in Ontario and British Columbia. Each team played twice, except just a single game between Toronto and Georgia. Bandits 12 Knighthawks 10 Rookie Kevin Orleman made his debut in net for the Bandits after being drafted this year. Mark Steenhius found the back of the net in the Bandits…