Picking three stars is a lot easier when there are fewer games and when teams only play once ina weekend that’s for sure. But when you have teams playing multiple games, rivalries, etc…it gets tough, but a lot of fun. Veterans are stepping up in a big way and the rookies are playing like veterans.
What will next week hold??? Stay tuned.
Week 11 Three Stars
1—Ryan Benesch (Buf—6G/8A) Bensesch came up huge for the Bandits in the back to back games versus Toronto. Friday night in their 15-12 victory Ryan had 4 goals and 5 assists. On Saturday (2G/3A), his second goal could have been the game winner with 2:30 left, until Beirnes tied it and Hickey won it for the Rock in overtime. A split for Benesch and the Bandits, but more importantly a big confidence boost.
2—Mark Matthews (Edm—4G/5A) In a battle for first in the west, Matthews came up huge. Matthews has 28 goals and 32 assists in 9 games. He is one of two players averaging 3 goals a game (Adam Jones). Matthews is on pace for a 120 point season and could be leading his Rush team back to the Champions Cup.
3—Rob Hellyer (Tor—5G/9A). 11 points last week, and this week another 14. Hellyer had the go ahead goal on Friday until Buffalo finished with a four goal run to steal the game. On Saturday it was a different story. Hellyer led the scoring for the Rock on Saturday with another 3 goals and 3 assists, and shows why he is a major contender for MVP.
Honorable Mention:
Anthony Cosmo (Buf) After returning from a minor injury and becoming a new dad, Cosmo stopped 100 shots and earned a split of the weekend with the Rock. Jeremy Noble (Col) After being traded to Colorado earlier in the week, Noble played his first career game in the NLL and registered 2 goals and 5 assists while grabbing 10 loose balls. His initial plans were to sit in the stand with his dad to watch his brother Jason play. Tyler Melnyk (Edm) Finally had his time to shine. 4 goals and 1 assist in his first career game in the NLL. Joe Walters (Roc) Showed how important he is. 2 goals and 5 assists when the bigger guns went silent in the Knighthawks 13-7 win. Matt Vinc (Roc) stopped 41/48 shots in victory over the Roughnecks. Joel White (NBW) Scored 2 goals, picked up 10 loose balls and caused 5 turnovers.
