It’s already the fifth week of the 2014 National Lacrosse League season, and stories are popping up in every direction. We picked five stories for this week for you to keep an eye on during the action.
Number Five—Two Fast Moving Objects
The Rochester Knighthawks are 3-0 and have dominated at all aspects of the game. However, they face their long time rival Buffalo Bandits who have won three straight games. At 3-1, the Bandits have been knocking down opponents in every way; a comeback against Toronto, barely holding on in Philadelphia and blowing out Colorado. But can they sustain a winning streak when they face Matt Vinc?
Number Four—Stealth Defense Woes
The Stealth knew they lost Jeff Moleski on Saturday night but news came later this week that Kyle Sorensen was also going to be out. With Sorensen out, the Stealth called on second year player Justin Pychal and practice squad rookie Nick Weiss. Vancouver faces an Edmonton team that has lit up the score sheet behind Mark Matthews and Curtis Knight, so that defense will need to be on its game.
Number Three—Roughnecks Need to Slow Down!
Calgary has committed a ton of penalties this season. They have 80 penalty minutes compared to the 64 they allow to opponents. They have also given up 14 power play goals this season and penalty kill percent at 57 is not bad, but it shows the sheer amount of penalties they have taken. They have been on the penalty kill 33 times compared to the 22 from their opponents.
Number Two—Can Mammoth Rebound?
Colorado has now lost four in a row leading back to two weeks ago and they have to face the Roughnecks in Calgary. It probably isn’t fair they have had to play more games than any other team, but this was the hand they were dealt. Their offense has not clicked and Athan Iannucci has not been the savior they have hoped; them giving up more than 80 goals this season might also be the problem though.
Number One—Rushing to the Finish
Edmonton has been smoking all season long, starting out 3-0. They face a tough test with the Stealth in Vancouver this week, their second road game of the season. The Rush’s 42 goals is last in the west but every team has played more games than them. They have given up just 24 goals, the second best to just Rochester and Matt Vinc.
