What a week!!! A battle of division leaders went to OT, a battle between the teams who played in the Champion’s Cup was decided again by a goal. We even had a goalie score a goal. Calgary loses their fourth one-goal game of the year. Most of the league is off this week as only two games are slated this weekend. But beware, the weekend of March 13-15 is sure to be exciting… You have been warned!!
NLL Power Rankings Week 9
LW
(1)….1—Toronto Rock (8-1) The Rock keep rolling along, with a 16-15 OT win. This time they had to hold off a four goal Edmonton run which tied the game, before Rob Hellyer (5 G/5 A) won the game. Josh Sanderson (2 G/8 A) and superior goaltending by Brandon Miller, stopping Mark Matthews in the final seconds of regulation and carrying it over into the extra period gave the Rock a huge victory. The Rock travel to play Colorado, Friday 9 pm.
(3)….2—Rochester Knighthawks (6-3) Knighthawks held on for a 12-11 win in a rematch of last years championship game. Knighthawks started out on a big roll, opening up a 6-1 lead after the first quarter. But Calgary slowly chipped away. Cody Jamieson (3 G/4 A) again scored the game winner. Corey Vitarelli (2 G/1 A) and Joe Walters (2 G/1 A) were the only other multiple scorers for the ‘Hawks as this was a total team effort with eight different goal scorers. Rochester is off this week as they prepare for a rematch with this same Calgary team on March 14 in Calgary.
(2)….3—Edmonton Rush (4-3) After a bye week, they faced the Rock in a tough battle but fell in OT 16-15. Zack Greer (5 G/3 A), Mark Matthews (2 G/6 A) just weren’t enough to hold off the Rock. Rush still hold the top spot in the west as they will host the struggling Roughnecks, Sunday 4 pm.
(5)….4—Buffalo Bandits (5-5) Evened their record at 5-5 with a 14-11 win over the Mammoth. Anthony Cosmo who was injured last week did not dress for the game as backup Davide DiRuscio played well in his first start, stopping 36/47 shots. Alex Kedoh Hill (3 G/1 A) , Ryan Benesch (3 G/1 A) led the scoring. John Tavares just off the IR had a goal and three assists. Buffalo is off this week as they prepare for another back to back weekend of games. March 13 and 14 home and home versus Toronto.
(4)….5—Colorado Mammoth (4-4) Someone forgot to tell the Mammoth that you play 60 minutes not 45. As they fell to Buffalo 14-11. For three quarters it was up and back with the Bandits, until they were outscored 3-0 in the final 15 minutes. Drew Westervelt (4 G/3 A), John Grant Jr., (3 G/5 A), and Adam Jones (3 G/5 A) contributed to the Mammoth scoring. If they are going to let up 13-plus a game, more players need to step up and score. Mammoth have a big task this weekend as they host the Rock, Friday 9 pm.
(6)….6—Vancouver Stealth (4-4) Bombs Away!!! That is what happened Saturday and the Stealth won 21-15. This was a complete team effort all around. Tyler Digby (5 G/3 A), Corey Small (4 G/5 A), Joel McCready (4 G/4 A), and Cliff Smith (3 G/3 A) led the scoring categories. But the highlight came for Tyler Richards, an unbelievable save running back to the net from the bench, and then scoring into the empty net. Richards stopped 44/59 shots and recorded a goal and an assist as well. Vancouver is off this week as they prepare for a huge game March 14 at Edmonton 9 pm.
(7)….7—Minnesota Swarm (3-5) The Swarm were swatted this week 21-15 for their third loss in a row. Shane MacDonald (3 G/1 A), Logan Schuss (3 G/5 A) led the way in scoring as the Swarm had eight different scorers. The defense seemed to be invisible for the Swarm. Swarm are only one game out of a playoff spot behind Buffalo. Swarm have played two fewer games than Buffalo. A victory in those games could put them right into the race. Minnesota is off this week and will host New England March 14 8 pm, then visit Colorado for a Sunday evening game at 8 pm.
(8)….8—New England Black Wolves (2-5) Will not be in action until March 14 when they travel to play the Minnesota Swarm.
(9)….9—Calgary Roughnecks (1-7) After getting their first win, the Roughnecks lost again. This time a 12-11 defeat to Rochester. Of their seven loses, four are by one goal, and the other three by 16. Shawn Evans (3 G/5 A), Curtis Dickson (4 G), led the way while Jeff Shattler (2 G/5 A) and Daryl Veltman (2 G/3 A) pitched in. This was the first of a two game suspension to Dane Dobbie for a high sticking major a couple weeks ago versus Vancouver. Calgary is just holding on to any playoff hopes, and it doesn’t get easier. They travel to Edmonton for a game Sunday 4 pm.
