Photo Credit: Dan Brodie
Week 8 Top 3 remains the same. Edmonton still undefeated, Calgary rides up a spot. The five winning teams averaged 16.6 goals in victory while only letting up 8.6. Short schedule this week with only three games scheduled.
Power Rankings Week 9
(1) 1—Edmonton Rush (7-0) Controlled the game against the Swarm as they remain undefeated with a 14-9 victory. Matthews, Loewen, Greer each with two goals, Thompson with a hat-trick led the offense, while Bold was again solid in net. Edmonton is idle this week as they prepare for a visit from the Toronto Rock on Feb 28.
(2) 2—Buffalo Bandits (6-2) Returned to their winning ways this season with a 13-7 win over the Wings. Steenhuis (3 G, 2 A) along with Tavares and Benesch (1 G, 5 A) each led the offense. Goalie Anthony Cosmo stopped 45 of 52 shots faced. Buffalo is idle until March 8 when the Swarm come buzzing in.
(3) 3—Rochester Knighthawks (5-2) Woke up after the first quarter and dominated the game as they defeated the Rock 17-9. Jamieson (5 G, 5 A) and Dan Dawson (10 A) led the way. Goaltender Matt Vinc was on lockdown after the first quarter and shows why he is the reigning goalie of the year winner. Knighthawks will travel to face the Roughnecks 9 pm Saturday.
(5) 4—Calgary Roughnecks (4-3) Calgary took advantage of a Stealth team that played the night before and turned the tables by scoring a 20-9 victory. Shawn Evans (4 G, 8 A), Dane Dobbie (4 G, 4 A), Jeff Shattler (2 G, 6 A) led the way. Dickson and Snider recorded hat-tricks. Poulin was solid in goal stopping 28 of 36 shots. Calgary will host the Knighthawks 9 pm Saturday night.
(4) 5—Toronto Rock (3-4) Toronto’s two-game winning streak along with being undefeated at home came to a crumble as the Knighthawks flew in and captured a 17-9 victory. Once Colin Doyle stopped scoring (four goals in first 20 minutes) so did Toronto as the Hawks put an 11-goal run. Toronto will host the Swarm Saturday night 7 pm.
(6) 6—Colorado Mammoth (4-6) Two game winning streak came to a crashing halt as they were bombed by the Stealth 19-9. John Grant Jr. (3 G, 5 A) and Drew Westervelt (4 G, 1 A) were the main offensive power for the Mammoth. Dillon Ward was pulled after 11:10 allowing six goals on 14 shots. Mammoth are idle this week as they get ready to host the Knighthawks on March 1.
(7) 7—Philadelphia Wings (3-6) Took it on the chin again as the Bandits controlled the game in a 13-7 loss. This is the second time this year the Wings have lost three in a row. It isn’t for lack of goaltending. Evan Kirk has been playing well, the offense is not scoring and taking advantage of extra shot opportunities. Wings look to take advantage as they face a Swarm team that plays just 21 hours earlier. Game time Sunday at 4 pm.
(8) 8—Vancouver Stealth (3-7) A tale of two days. Friday night they ended a five-game losing streak by winning 19-9 over the Mammoth. Brett Bucktooth (6 G, 6A), and Rhys Duch (4 G, 7 A) led the way. Tyler Richards stopped 39 of 48 shots faced. Saturday night they were invisible as Calgary used their speed and strength and wore them down and turned the tables in a 20-9 victory. Stealth are off til March 8 when they visit Edmonton.
(9) 9—Minnesota Swarm (1-6) Was again outplayed as a six-goal run by the Rush in third quarter put them behind 12-4. Jordan MacIntosh (3 G, 2 A) and Callum Crawford (2 G, 6 A) were only bright spots this week for the Swarm. It doesn’t get easier as the Swarm play twice this weekend. Saturday at Toronto and Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.
