What an exciting weekend. Toronto put a little distance in the East, Edmonton and Colorado switched positions as the Rush swept this weekend, and the Knighthawks came up huge with two wins to go from last to second in the east. And in Calgary….things just get Rougher for the Roughnecks.
NLL Power Rankings Week 7
(1)….1—Toronto Rock (6-1) Can’t stop the Rock!! This past weekend the Rock rolled their way to consecutive victories over the Swarm 16-4 on Friday, and 14-9 on Saturday, giving them the best record in the NLL. The combination of Miller on Friday and Rose on Saturday, along with the offense and fantastic defense by Sandy Chapman keep the Rock at the top. Friday nights 12 goal run turned a 3-2 deficit to a 14-3 lead. Next Game: Friday 7:30 as New England comes for a visit.
(5)….2—Edmonton Rush (4-2) Edmonton did exactly what they wanted to do. In a home and home series against the Mammoth, the Rush started the weekend one game back, and ended the weekend one game up with the sweep. Friday 11-7, Sunday 13-7. Zack Greer and Mark Matthews were the offensive stories. Friday the pair scored 4 goals each, and on Sunday 3 more a piece. Aaron Bold was stellar between the pipes allowing only 7 goals in each of the two games. Edmonton is off this week as they prepare to visit Toronto on the 27th.
(6)….3—Rochester Knighthawks (4-3) Knighthawks were a team that needed to sweep both games this weekend, and they did just that, by identical scores of 15-10. Saturday night Buffalo went up 10-9 before the ‘Hawks go on a 6 goal run to end the game, just like they did to Buffalo two weeks ago when down 11-10 they scored 7 in a row. Sunday was same thing different opponent. Each time New England came close the Hawks went on a run. An 8-7 lead went to 11-7, and when N.E. scored three straight, Hawks cored four straight to end the game. Rochester looks to sweep season series as they host Buffalo Saturday 7:30pm.
(3)….4—Buffalo Bandits (4-4) Win one….Lose one… That’s how it’s been for Buffalo all season. Once again they face Rochester and take a lead with 20 minutes to go in a game, and the offense disappears. They allowed Rochester to score six straight to turn a Buffalo lead (10-9) into a Buffalo loss (15-10). Steenhuis (3G), Smith, Benesch, Brownell (2 goals each). Buffalo looks to salvage a game in season series as they travel to Rochester Saturday night 7:30pm.
(2)….5—Colorado Mammoth (3-3) Colorado had a chance to put some space between them and the Rush. At the very least they hoped for a split, but Edmonton had other ideas. Mammoth where outplayed this weekend losing both games 11-7 and 13-7. Friday without Adam Jones, Grant Jr., and Alex Turner scored two each, and Sunday Grant Jr.,(3G) and Jones (2G) were the only offense. Mammoth now a game out of first, and look to get back their winning ways Sunday as the visit New England at 1pm.
(8)….6—Vancouver Stealth (3-3) Fell behind early, but a six goal run in the second quarter put the Stealth up to stay and put their record at .500. Rhys Duch scored four times to lead the offense. T-Rich was huge in goal again. Vancouver will face Calgary for the third time this season as they look to make it a third victory over the Roughnecks. Saturday night in Calgary 9pm.
(5)….7—Minnesota Swarm (3-4) Swarm went from second place and 1 game out, to fourth place and three games out of first. Swarm were completely outplayed both games. Friday night a 16-4 trouncing in which Schuss, Crawford, Jackson, Hill were the only goal scorers. Higgins and MacDonald ended up splitting the game as it was over early after a 12 goal run. Not much changed Saturday as Schuss had a hat trick and goaltenders split duties again. Swarm have off this weekend as they prepare to visit Vancouver on the 28th.
(7)….8—New England BlackWolves (2-3) Have now lost three in a row. After falling behind 3-0, Bill O’Brien’s fight seemed to spark the team as they battled back to tie the game. But every time they get on a run, Rochester would halt it and put their own mini-run together. Black Wolves pulled within 1 at 11-10 before Rochester finished with four straight. Bucktooth (4G), Crowley and Saunders (1G/4A) each led the offense. Wolves look to end the 3 game skid as they host Colorado Sunday 1pm.
(9)….9—Calgary Roughnecks (0-6) What is happening in Calgary? What’s not happening in winning. Frank Scigliano got the nod to start again stopping 37/49, but is not getting the offensive support. Evans and Dickson scored two goals apiece to lead the offense. Calgary is now 3 games behind Vancouver for the final playoff spot. Another loss could seal their fate as they would drop 4 behind the Stealth and also lose the tie-breaker. Calgary hosts Vancouver Saturday night 9pm.
