One week to go. Edmonton has clinched the west, Colorado is the number two seed. In the east, Buffalo is locked at number three, but the story in the east is who will be number one. A Rock win on Friday (or a Rochester loss Saturday) and they have home floor throughout the playoffs. Should the Rock lose and Rochester win, Rochester is number one in east and Toronto will host Buffalo in round one. The story though this week is the in and win game. Calgary will face off against Vancouver, the winner gets the final spot in the playoffs.
NLL Power Rankings Week 17
LW
(1)….1—Toronto Rock* (13-4) The Rock were off this week, and their magic number is still 1. A win this weekend over the Black Wolves or a loss by Rochester will clinch #1 overall. A Rock loss and a Rochester win, and the Rock will host Buffalo. Toronto is in action Friday at New England 7pm.
(2)….2—Rochester Knighthawks* (12-5) A huge win at home 14-6 over New England. The win keeps Rochester not only in contention for first in the east, but first overall. Rochester’s fate could be sealed before they play Saturday. A Rock victory clinches the east, and Rochester will face Buffalo, A Rock loss and Rochester could celebrate a first round bye with a win. Rochester visits Minnesota Saturday 8pm.
(3)….3—Edmonton Rush* (12-5) Already having a first round bye, Edmonton defeated Minnesota this week 16-12 with Tyler Carlson getting the start against his former team. A six goal outburst in the third quarter led by Robert Churchs’ hat trick was the difference. Edmonton visits Colorado Saturday 9pm
(5)….4—Buffalo Bandits* (10-7) After clinching the final playoff spot in the east by beating Vancouver 17-9 on Saturday night, the Bandits traveled to New England and put up another huge number by winning 20-9. Buffalo will visit either Rochester or Toronto in round one. Mark Steenhuis led the way with 12G/8A. Buffalo faces New England Saturday 7:30pm.
(4)….5—Colorado Mammoth* (9-8) Had a bye this past weekend. Colorado is locked into the #2 seed in the west and await their opponent in round one. They will face the winner of Calgary/Vancouver this weekend. Don’t expect to see much of the big names, as this game doesn’t mean anything as far as the playoff race is concerned. Colorado host Edmonton Saturday 9pm.
(6)….6—Calgary Roughnecks (6-11) Had a bye this past week. This Saturday is the final regular season game, but it’s a playoff game. Calgary will face Vancouver this week in a win and in game. After starting 0-6 no one thought Calgary would be this close. Calgary visits Vancouver Saturday 10pm.
(7)….7—Vancouver Stealth (5-12) A big loss this weekend to Buffalo 17-9 didn’t harm the Stealth. A win or loss last week would not clinch the playoffs. It all comes down to this weekend, but it shouldn’t. Vancouver had plenty of chances to clinch the spot a long time ago. Now they in a do or die game. Host Calgary Saturday 10pm.
(8)….8—Minnesota Swarm (5-12) Swarm fell again 16-12 to Edmonton this week as they are playing out the string. Minnesota will host Rochester in the season finale at the Hive. Off season question is what will Minnesota do to keep their fans after the trades this past season. Minnesota hosts Rochester Saturday 8pm.
(9)….9—New England Black Wolves (4-12) New England fell twice this weekend. Saturday they fell to Rochester 14-6, then Sunday Buffalo won 20-9. The loss on Saturday eliminated the Black Wolves, but even if they won Saturday, the fate was sealed as Buffalo won on Saturday as well. New England will play for pride this weekend as they face two rivals. Friday night they host Toronto 7pm, then on Saturday they close the season out by visiting Buffalo at 7:30pm.
