Week 8 Power Rankings!!
Georgia remains on top, but will they after this weekend? The Eastern Conference will all play two games each this weekend. Buffalo will face New England in a home and home match up which is crucial for both teams. Toronto looks to take over first with match ups against Georgia and Rochester. Georgia will also face Rochester. The east could see a massive shake up by the time the weekend is over.
1-Georgia Swarm (5-1). Swarm rebound after their first loss to defeat New England 17-15. After a full battle, the Swarm scored the final four goals in 2:47, three coming from Jordan Hall. Brodie MacDonald relieved Mike Poulin 11:21 into the first quarter to get the win. Lyle Thompson (4G/6A), Jordan MacIntosh 3G/6A) and Jordan Hall (4G/2A) led the way for the Swarm. Georgia plays twice this weekend, visiting Toronto Friday at 7:30, then hosting Rochester Sunday at 6:05.
2-Toronto Rock (4-1). With Toronto’s 11-7 win over Calgary the Rock keep pace and stay only a half game behind Georgia for first place in the East. Tom Schreiber has been leading the offense as of late, this time Captain America tallied (3G/3A) to lead the way. Brett Hickey and Kieran McArdle each scored twice. Rock look to roll into first with two games this weekend. They host Georgia Friday at 7:30, then visit Rochester Saturday at 7:30.
3-Saskatchewan Rush (4-2). Saskatchewan is looking more like the two-time champs. They had a huge 21-12 win over Rochester and a ten goal run along with keeping Rochester off the board for over twenty-three minutes in the second half. Robert Church (4G/7A) and Mark Matthews (4G/6A) led the offense, while Aaron Bold stopped 26-48 for the win. Saskatchewan hosts Colorado Saturday at 8:30.
4-Colorado Mammoth (4-3) Defeated Vancouver 10-9 in OT. Colorado led twice the entire night, 1-0, then at the end. Brent Adams (3G/2A) who scored the game winner led the offense. Joey Cupido and Zack Greer scored two apiece. Dillon Ward stopped 38-47 for the win. Colorado will visit Saskatchewan Saturday at 8:30.
5-Calgary Roughnecks (3-3). Fell to Toronto 11-7. This meeting has become a great rivalry. After a quiet first quarter, the Roughnecks would be outscored 8-3 in the next two quarters. Curtis Dickson (5G) was basically the entire offense for Calgary. They look to get back to their winning ways hosting Vancouver Saturday 9:00.
6-New England Black Wolves (2-4). Hard fought loss to the division leading Swarm 17-15. Game was an epic up and back battle for the first 51:30 minutes. That was when ex-Wolf Jordan Hall scored three straight to seal the game. It was New England’s game for the taking. Shawn Evans (4G/8A), Kevin Crowley (5G/3A) and Kevin Buchanan (3G/4A) led the Black Wolves offense. Getting to .500 is vital this weekend. The Black Wolves play a home and home with the Bandits, Friday at Buffalo 7:30, then they will host the Bandits Sunday at 1pm.
7-Rochester Knighthawks (2-4). Another demoralizing loss by the Knighthawks. They fell hard 21-12 to Saskatchewan. After holding a 9-7 lead :14 into the second half, the Rush would score 14 of next 17, including 10 straight. Josh Currier (4G) led the offense. It doesn’t get easier for the ‘Hawks. They play twice this weekend, hosting Toronto Saturday 7:30, then visit Georgia Sunday 6:05, plus they just traded away Stephen Keogh who has long been part of their offence.
8-Vancouver Stealth (2-5). Another tough loss for Vancouver as they fell 10-9 to Colorado in OT. Vancouver held the lead throughout the game until Zack Greer tied the game with :26 remaining. Rhys Duch (2G/4A) and Logan Schuss (3G/4A) led the Stealth offense. Vancouver visits Calgary Saturday 9:00.
9-Buffalo Bandits (1-4). Buffalo had a bye last week after starting the season poorly. They will now face New England in a crucial home and home series. A pair of wins would get them right back in the playoff hunt. The Bandits will host New England Friday 7:30pm, then Buffalo visits New England Sunday 1:05.
