Another week, and more amazing action in the National Lacrosse League. The Rock without Billings and Doyle are now 2-0 after posting 20 against the Stealth. The Black Wolves decimate the defending champs, Swarm buzz back from six and win by four over Edmonton, and Calgary falls in overtime..
NLL Power Rankings Week 2
(1) 1—Toronto Rock (2-0) Once again the Rock roll to a victory 20-11, this time over the Vancouver Stealth. Rock fell behind early 4-2 after the first fifteen minutes, but outscored the Stealth 13-4 in the middle two stanzas to take control of the game. Josh Sanderson’s 4G/10A led the way for the Rock as they show their strength without Billings and Doyle. Toronto is off this week, but has two big games next week. Friday night host Buffalo, and Saturday night a return to Rochester.
(2) 2—Colorado Mammoth (2-0) John Grant Jr., does it again. Another overtime thriller against the Calgary Roughnecks to win 17-16. After Shawn Evan scored all four goals for Calgary to give them a 16-14 lead, Grant and Cupido scored to tie the game. Thirty one seconds into the overtime, Junior fired a laser by Poulin to give the home crowd and the Mammoth a huge win. Mammoth next game, Jan 24th as Vancouver comes for a visit.
(4) 3—New England BlackWolves (2-0) Is this team for real? Opening night win over the Bandits, and this past week a total decimation of the three-time defending champion Knighthawks by the score of 17-7. Kevin Crowley registered 6G/4A, Kyle Buchanan 3G/4A, Pat Saunders 3G/2A and Joel White scored twice and picked up a game high 14 loose balls. Evan Kirk was again fantastic in net, and has people talking about early favorite for goaltender of the year. Black Wolves host the Swarm Jan 24th.
(5) 4—Buffalo Bandits (1-1) Had an early bye week after going 1-1 opening weekend. Will travel to the Langley event Center in British Columbia to face the Vancouver Stealth in this week’s only contest. Saturday 10PM
(3) 5—Vancouver Stealth (1-1) After opening up an early 4-2 lead at home against the Rock, the Stealth were bombed 13-4 in the middle two stanzas en route to a 20-11 loss. Rhys Duch 3G/2A, and Tyler Digby 2G/3A led the Stealth. Vancouver looks to rebound as the Bandits shuffle in from Buffalo. Saturday 10PM
(9) 6—Minnesota Swarm (1-1) This time the Swarm turned the tables on their opponent. After trailing 9-3 to Edmonton, the Swarm switched goalies as Zach Higgins replaced Brodie MacDonald. The Swarm went on a 11-1 run, including 9 goals in the final quarter to win 14-10. Roookie Miles Thompson with another hat trick, and Callum Crawford 3G/3A led the attack for Minnesota. Swarm return to action on January 24th as they visit the red hot Black Wolves.
(8) 7—Calgary Roughnecks (0-2) A tough loss in overtime to Colorado 17-16 after Shawn Evans scored all four goals in the final quarter to give them a 16-14 lead. Evans 5G/5A led Calgary while Geoff Snider went 27-36 on face-offs.. Calgary back in action January 24th as they face another tough division rival as the Edmonton Rush comes to town.
(7) 8—Edmonton Rush (0-2) Had a 9-3 lead and control of the game until the Swarm buzzed back in a big way. Edmonton was outscored 11-1 and fell 14-10 to the Swarm. Rookie Ben MacIntosh 2G, Mark Matthews, Robert Church, and Chris Corbeil also scored twice in the loss. Edmonton looks to rebound in their next game January 24th as they visit Calgary.
(6) 9—Rochester Knighthawks (0-2) What is wrong in Rochester? Should they panic? The three time defending champs took one big time on the chin. The Knighthawks fell hard 17-7. Corey Vitarelli was only bright spot with 3G/2A, and Jordan Hall 2G/2A. Knighthawks big guns, Dawson, Jamieson, Wilson, Walters and Point had a total of 2 goals (Walters and Point). Rochester is off this week, and will look for revenge as they face Toronto on the 24th. Knighthawks fell opening night to Toronto.
