Several members of the 2014 NLL rookie class were recently given their first taste of professional playoff action, with some seeing their freshman campaign come to a close.
Mitch Wilde stood out as the lone Buffalo Bandits rookie in their 15-13 defeat of eastern conference rival Toronto Rock in the division semi-final. The transitional threat contributed one assist to go along with three loose balls and one forced turnover. Wilde will have the opportunity to experience a home crowd playoff atmosphere when Buffalo takes on the Rochester Knighthawks Saturday, May 10 at the First Niagara Center.
For the Rock, Nick Diachenko concluded his rookie season with his best offensive performance of the year. A draft pick of the Bandits that was signed to the Rock practice roster in early January after being released by Buffalo, Diachenko had three goals and one assist for four points in a losing effort. The former Delaware Blue Hen was not added to Toronto’s active roster until April 12 following Garrett Billings’ season ending injury. In just three regular season games with Toronto, Diachenko made an immediate impact in the Rock transition game racking up four points (2 G, 2 A).
Ethan O’Connor picked up four loose balls for the Rock. The Hobart College graduate finished the regular season leading the Rock in loose balls (133), while finishing second in forced turnovers (15), and posting nine points (5 G, 4 A).
In the western division semi-final, Calgary defeated Colorado by a score of 16-15. Karsen Leung had one assist in addition to an outstanding 15 loose balls to lead all runners, while Garrett McIntosh had one forced turnover. The rookie duo will move on to host Albertan rival Edmonton Rush Saturday, May 10 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Mammoth rookie goaltender Dillon Ward stopped 42 of 58 shots in the loss, including 15 from a pressing fourth quarter Calgary offense to force overtime. Beginning his freshman campaign as a backup to Tye Belanger, Ward was thrust into the starting position for the Mammoth in Week 2 and never gave up the spot. In 15 games as Colorado’s starting netminder, the Orangeville product was able to finish with the fifth-highest save total league wide (592) and fourth-highest in wins (7). Only Mike Poulin (782) and Anthony Cosmo (903) faced more shots than Ward during his rookie year.
