A goalie carousel in Colorado, an influence of B.C.-born rookies for the Alberta squads, and Vancouver’s inaugural draft class stepping up in the franchises’ victorious home debut highlight Week 3 of NLL action for the 2014 rookie class.
For the third time in as many games, goalie Tye Belanger was chased from the Colorado Mammoth cage in favor of rookie tender Dillon Ward. After relieving Belanger of his duties during the second quarter of the Mammoth’s 13-11 road loss to Calgary, Ward turned aside 26 of 30 shots faced while once again allowing Colorado to form a comeback attempt. Colorado’s goalie woes continued the following night, when Ward was pulled from his first career NLL start after allowing nine goals on 20 shots in a 17-6 defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Rush. Ward’s 86 saves in just over two hours of game action ranks third highest league-wide.
Calgary’s rookie crop continued their impressive play in the Roughnecks home victory over the Mammoth. Karsen Leung was a force in transition registering three points (1g, 2a), including his first career NLL goal in the form of a breakaway marker that would prove the eventual game-winner. Joining Leung in the Riggers rookie production was Garrett McIntosh, who notched two assists in the win. Former Rochester Knighthawks prospect Cody Hawkins made his first appearance in a Calgary uniform, picking up an assist.
A pair of Rush rookies posted significant numbers in Edmonton’s romp of Colorado. Riley Loewen racked up six points (2 G, 4 A) versus the Mammoth to bring his season total to eight (4 G, 4 A). In his first NLL appearance, fifth overall pick Robert Church dished out five assists.
The Stealth franchise earned their first NLL win since relocating to Vancouver, thanks to a pair of recent draft picks. Tyler Digby and Cody Bremner mirrored each other’s numbers with one goal and one assist each in an 8-5 victory over Minnesota. Both Stealth rookies scored integral goals versus the Swarm, as Bremner netted the eventual game-winner off a Digby assist to close the third quarter, while Digby extended the Stealth lead to 7-4 just two minutes into the final frame.
Other rookie news includes the Minnesota Swarm, who saw first overall selection Logan Schuss be held goal-less (2 A), while Scott Jones netted his first NLL tally in the loss to Vancouver. Swarm rookie Jason Noble sat out the game due to suspension. Philadelphia Wings rookie John Ranagan scored his first NLL goal in a 12-11 loss to Buffalo.
