Not much of a change in the rankings. We had four games this past weekend. Calgary thrashed New England 20-9, Edmonton won a defensive battle 11-9 over Toronto, Buffalo swatted the Swarm 12-8 to give them space for the final playoff spot in the East, and Colorado won 14-11 over Vancouver. Four games this weekend, the last before trade deadline next Tuesday. College Basketball has March Madness; This year the NLL has April Absurdity, as things will get very crazy.
NLL Power Rankings Week 12
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(1)….1—Toronto Rock (10-3) Still top of the charts, but the Rock have now lost two of their last three, after falling 11-9 in a hard fought defensive battle against the Edmonton Rush. Last week the Rock split with the Bandits and could have been swept if they didn’t battle and win in OT. The Rock now travel to face a Calgary team that is finding their stride. Saturday 9 pm.
(2)….2—Rochester Knighthawks (7-3) Off this past weekend. Rochester will host the toughest defense in the NLL and the Edmonton Rush, Saturday 7:30 pm.
(3)….3—Edmonton Rush (6-4) Winning streak now at two after a hard fought 11-9 win over Toronto, the Rush will now travel and face the Rochester Knighthawks which could be another hard fought defensive battle, or could be an offensive explosion. This should be a classic game. Saturday 7:30 pm.
(4)….4—Buffalo Bandits (7-6) The Bandits go into their bye week winning three of their last four including a 12-8 win over the Swarm this past weekend. The Bandits now have a two game lead for the final playoff spot. Bandits host New England April 4.
(6)….5—Colorado Mammoth (6-5) In Part One of two the Mammoth defeated Vancouver 14-11 and gave themselves a 1.5 game lead over Vancouver for the number two seed in the west. John Grant Jr, now second all-time in total points. Part 2 is Sunday as Colorado will host Vancouver 8 pm.
(5)….6—Vancouver Stealth (4-6) Fell to Colorado 14-11 in the back to back weekend match up. Rhys Duch became the all-time goal scorer for the Stealth. Vancouver holds a slim 1.5 game lead on the final playoff spot as they look to turn the tables in the rematch in Colorado, Sunday 8 pm.
(8)….7—Calgary Roughnecks (3-8) Earlier in the week the Roughnecks signed Sean Pollock, and capped off the week with a 20-9 thrashing of the Black Wolves in what was a must-win for Calgary. Special teams were huge. Calgary went 2-2 on the power play while scoring five short handed goals. Calgary will host Toronto Saturday 9 pm.
(7)….8—New England Black Wolves (3-6) Black Wolves were roughed up by Calgary 20-9 and looked completely invisible in the game. Game was over by halftime. New England went 1-5 on the power-play but also allowed five short handed goals. Black Wolves are two games out of the final playoff spot in the East. This is a MUST win. The Swarm buzz into town Sunday 1 pm.
(9)….9—Minnesota Swarm (3-8) Losing streak now at 5 after a 12-8 loss to the Bandits. With players like Schuss, Thompson, Crawford, etc this team should have more then 3 wins. They trail Buffalo for the final playoff spot in the east by 3 games and also lose the tie-breaker to Buffalo as well. Must win on the line as the Swarm will visit New England for a Sunday 1pm start.
