It was an exciting week two in the National Lacrosse League over the weekend, starting with the odds on favourite Calgary Roughnecks losing 16-11 in a lopsided affair versus the Toronto Rock and finishing with a nail biter that saw the Colorado Mammoth edge the Vancouver Stealth 13-12. The Rock had several standout players in their home opener on Friday. Garrett Billings was the set up man of the weekend,…
League Leaders Following First Full NLL Week
We’ve had one complete week and five games on the NLL season. It’s too early on in the season to predict trends or outcomes, but here’s a look at the early league leaders. Leading in points, we have Adam Jones of the Colorado Mammoth and Garrett Billings of the Toronto Rock. Each has 10 points thus far. Jones’s points come from 7 goals and 3 assists where Billings has…
MLL Draft Preview: NY Lizards
The New York Lizards have had a busy offseason in 2014 and are primed and ready to take a big step forward. With additions like Matt Striebel and Ned Crotty to go along with Tommy Palasek and Rob Pannell on offense, the Lizards offense will be a force to be reckoned with. They also have some defensive talent in All-Pro defenseman Brian Karalunas and goalie Drew Adams. So how can…
2014 Conference Champions Predictions
WRITTEN BY: BRENDAN CHAMBERLAIN With a new year upon us I’m going to dive right in and predict who will win their conference titles in 2014. ACC—This is going to be a slugfest between all six teams in this conference. Syracuse and Notre Dame are new to this league but I’m going with North Carolina as my ACC Champion, based on their depth on defense and strong goaltending by sophomore…
Colorado Mammoth Goalie Dilemma: Belanger or Ward?
The Colorado Mammoth are in bit of a quandary right now. Veteran goaltender Tye Belanger #31—who is typically a very strong goalie, can see the ball well and is consistent in higher save percentages—has been lacking in the first two Mammoth games. Against the Edmonton Rush on December 28, 2013, he played a total of 41:12 minutes. During his time on the floor, there were 26 shots on goal, 15…
Rattlers, Lizards Exchange Picks; Turri to Rochester
The trades leading up to the 2014 Major League Lacrosse collegiate draft have begun. The New York Lizards sent their number two overall pick, and their 32nd along with midfielder Justin Turri, to the Rochester Rattlers in exchange for the third and fourth overall picks. The Rattlers had the third and fourth picks back to back, so they move up one pick plus adding the third rounder, so it appears…
NLL Power Rankings: Hawks Fly High, Rock Roll on Up
A small schedule this past week with only two games being played, so not many changes this week. But this weekend we have six games as the NLL will be in full swing. Power Rankings Week 3 (1) 1—Rochester Knighthawks (1-0) The Knighthawks were idle this past week. They host Philadelphia on Saturday night, which is sure to be a great game. (2) 2—Edmonton Rush (1-0) Idle this past…
Quotes to Note: NLL Week Two
Please note: the holiday season delayed the start of this column for 2014, but as they say, better late than never. These quotes are from the conference call after Opening Weekend. On Wednesdays, Doug Fritts, National Lacrosse League VP of Broadcast Services & Communications, leads the NLL Coaches & Media Conference Call and each week I will highlight three topics from it that I think stood out. On the…
Stealth Get Ready for First Game in Vancouver
Starting the season 0-1 isnʼt the end of the world. It is in fact a long season at 18 games with the NLL extending the schedule from last yearʼs 16 regular season games. The franchise has a new look with with a new home and plenty of new faces. Gone are Athan Iannucci and Dean Hill, two members of the offense who were released preseason. Opting to go with former practice roster…
Net Impact: NLL Face Off Specialists
Winning face offs seems to be one of those skills that you either have or you don’t. Most guys don’t. Typically the responsibility for taking draws falls to one or two players on any given team. In the 2013 NLL season, 12 players took 100 or more face offs. Half of those players had a success rate between 40 percent and 60 percent, with two below 40 percent and four…