There was talk of the Edmonton Rush moving after last season, most likely to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, an oft-discussed potential NLL destination. Around this time last season, the Edmonton Journal had this quote from former president Dave Jamieson. “Let the record show that he’s lost a lot of money and he’s spent a lot of time… he may even have grey hairs that have come from this experience because he’s put a lot…
The Launch Have Lifted Off; Reasons Behind Their Success
The first year franchise Florida Launch (2-1) are already impressing in this young season. After falling to the Denver Outlaws to open the season the Launch have won two straight, and are looking better and better. Veterans Casey Powell, Brett Queener, and Doug Shanahan seem to have a grip on the team’s success. Queener has been solid in the net, Casey remains to be the catalyst on offense, as he leads the league in points, while…
Speck Blog: Slash Gain Victory Over Arrows
Last week we made the long trip down to Salamanca, NY to play against the Allegany Arrows at the gorgeous Seneca Allegany Community Centre. This is a top of the line facility complete with a basketball court, swimming pool, splash pad, sports field, weight room, and a lacrosse floor of course. This place is always lots of fun to visit and play in so needless to say we were all…
Garrett Billings Undergoes Knee Surgery
Toronto Rock forward Garrett Billings underwent successful knee surgery earlier today to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Billings was on his way to his first NLL scoring title when he injured his knee in the 2nd quarter of Toronto’s game in Vancouver on April 5th. Before leaving the game, the 5th year forward from Langley, BC had accumulated 6 points and surpassed the 100-point plateau…
WLA Season Preview: Langley Thunder
Last year the Langley Thunder fell in five games to the Victoria Shamrocks in the WLA final. This was the first time in the last three years that the Thunder did not represent the WLA at the Mann Cup. The Thunder will once again look to dominate the WLA in 2014. Going into the 2014 season Langley will hope that their defense can once again be the best in the WLA….
Parity is Alive in College Lacrosse
PHOTO CREDIT: IAN NEADLE Parity is alive in college lacrosse. This past weekend, the second, third, fourth and eighth-seeded teams all fell defeat in the NCAA Tournament. After taking a deep look, I ask, how surprising is this? The Atlantic Coast Conference is undoubtedly the best conference in college lacrosse. All six of its teams advanced to the 18-team NCAA Tournament field with five receiving top-eight seeds. The next highest…
Net Impact: NLL Playoff Stats Into Game Two
We’re now two weeks into the NLL playoff schedule and we’re beginning to see some statistical trends in the postseason. The Calgary Roughnecks have won both their playoff games this year in overtime, coming up big in the late going. But they have been at their most productive in the middle of the games—they’ve scored 20 of their 28 postseason goals in the second and third quarters while only managing…
McIntosh, Church, Leung Lead NLL Rookies
McIntosh stepping in for Snider, Church’s scoring touch, and Leung’s crucial comeback role highlight Week 2 of the NLL Playoff Rookie Report. In the West Divisions Finals, the Calgary Roughnecks captured a Game One victory with a 12-11 overtime win. Karsen Leung had one goal and one assist for Calgary, while also scooping up three loose balls. After falling behind early, the Roughnecks were able to battle back into the…
Hopkins Pulls Off Remarkable Victory Over UVA
Johns Hopkins was able to overcome an early deficit to avenge this year’s earlier loss to University of Virginia to advance in the NCAA Tournament. With the win, the Blue Jays are able to move into the Quarterfinals and next up they face top-seeded Duke. They advanced with a strong 14-8 win over a Virginia team that finished the regular season defeating North Carolina during the ACC Tournament weekend’s showcase…
Dragons Breathe Fire and Defeat Penn 16-11; Face Denver in Round 2
PHOTOS: IAN NEADLE On a absolute gorgeous day in the City of Brotherly Love, the Drexel Dragons faced off against their neighbors the Penn Quakers in round one of the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The contest was billed as “The Battle of 33rd St.” as the Universities are separated by only a few blocks. The teams lived up to the hype that the local media was…