We had four games this weekend, all decided by a total of 7 goals. The Black Wolves forced the Rock to OT before falling to them. Cody Jamieson scores the final three goals to lead the Hawks to a huge OT win. Roughnecks save their season with seven goals by Dickson to gain their first win, and Colorado and New England had a classic battle before the Mammoth came up on top.
This week we have four games on the schedule. Two games that have teams struggling to get some type of winning streak going, a battle of division winners, and a rematch of last years Champions Cup.
NLL Power Rankings Week 8
LW
(1)….1—Toronto Rock (7-1) The Rock were taken to overtime before winning the game :40 into the extra frame 13-12. Toronto used a five goal final quarter to force the extra time. Nick Rose came in relief of starter Brandon Miller with the team down 9-5 and shut the door. Brett Hickey (4G), Josh Sanderson (2G/5A) led the way for the Rock. Toronto will be on the road as they face Edmonton in a battle of division leaders Friday 9:30pm.
(2)….2—Edmonton Rush (4-2) Coming off a bye week, the Rush will host the Rock in a battle of division leaders Friday 9:30.
(3)….3—Rochester Knighthawks (5-3) Knighthawks took the brooms out and swept the season series by defeating the Bandits 13-12 in OT. Once again Rochesters defense shut Buffalo down in the final 19 minutes of the game allowing just one goal, while the Hawk offense scored the final five goals of the game, the last three by Jamieson (4G/1A), Corey Vitarelli (3G/1A), Craig Point (2G/4A) led the way. Walters and Hall chipped in with 5 assists each. Rochester will host Calgary Saturday 7:30pm in a rematch of last years Champions Cup.
(5)….4—Colorado Mammoth (4-3) Colorado finally jumped back on track with a hard fought 14-12 win over the Black Wolves. When these two franchises get together its always a battle, as they go back to the original four 29 years ago. Adam Jones (4G/3A) and Alex Turner (3G/1A) led the scoring for the Mammoth. Mammoth continue their eastern trip as they visit Buffalo Saturday 7:30pm.
(4)….5—Buffalo Bandits (4-5) Once again the defense was invisible, and the offense couldn’t be found as the Bandits fell 13-12 in OT. Again the Bandits let Rochester score the final 5+ goals and take a victory from them. The Bandits have now lost the season series 3-0. In the last quarter plus OT the Bandits were outscored by the Knighthawks 17-2. Buffalo looks to rebound as they host Colorado, Saturday 7:30pm.
(6)….6—Vancouver Stealth (3-4) Looking to put a tight grip on the final spot in the west was not to be this week. Vancouver fell 16-13 to Calgary in an epic battle of division opponents. Stealth still hold a two game lead for the final spot, but these teams will meet one more time, last game of regular season. Rhys Duch (4G/4A) and Corey Small (4G/3A) led the scoring for the Stealth. Vancouver looks to get back on the winning track as they host Minnesota on Saturday 10pm..
(7)….7—Minnesota Swarm (3-4) Coming off a much needed bye week to regroup after facing Toronto 2 weeks ago, the Swarm will visit the Stealth and look to get back on track and into the playoff race in the east. Rookie Miles Thompson has been kept quiet on the floor last few games, so could their be an explosion of offense waiting to erupt. Game time 10pm Saturday.
(8)….8—New England BlackWolves (2-5) Needed to win at least one of the two games, but their opponents had other ideas. Black Wolves fell in OT to Toronto Friday 13-12, then Colorado slipped out of the Mohegan Sun Arena with a 14-12 victory. It looked like Friday versus the Rock they would gain a victory until Nick Rose came in to shut the door on the Wolves. Kyle and Kevin Buchanan (7G/5A) combined led the attack that just fell short. On Sunday much of the same, a 60 minute battle. Kevin Crowley (5G/4A) led another great effort that fell short. Tye Belanger saw his first action as he relieved Evan Kirk 13 minutes into the first quarter stopping 37/46 shots. New England returns to action March 14 when they travel to Minnesota.
(9)….9—Calgary Roughnecks (1-6) Finally Calgary gets their first win, a 16-13 victory over Vancouver. This was the third meeting and a loss could of put any playoff talk to rest. Just like the other two meetings the Roughnecks had leads and somehow they slipped through their fingers, but this week they held on. The man they call Superman was just that. Curtis Dickson (7G/2A), Dane Dobbie (3G/4A), Shawn Evans (2G/4A) led the way, and when it was needed the defense held tigt and goalie Frank Scigliano shut the door on the Stealth. Calgary will travel to Rochester in a rematch of last years Champions Cup final. 7:30pm Saturday.
