Exciting week one. Defending champions raised their banner and won, the Rush continued winning on the road as they did in 2013, and the Wings dominated in Buffalo. What’s in store for this week??
Friday January 3rd Calgary @ Toronto 7:30pm
Saturday January 4th Vancouver @ Colorado 9:00pm
Power Rankings Week 2
(1) 1—Rochester Knighthawks (1-0) The Knighthawks defeated the Swarm 8-6 as they raised the championship banner. The Hawks put 34 shots on goal scoring on 8, while Vince faced 51 and allowed 6. Dan Dawson and Joel McCready scored twice to lead the back to back champions. Rochester is idle this week. Next opponent home vs the Philadelphia Wings on January 11th.
(6) 2—Edmonton Rush.(1-0) Rookie of the Year Mark Matthews never tickled the twine, but the Rush were able to defeat the Mammoth 13-10 behind hat-tricks from Curtis Knight and Zack Greer. Edmonton is idle this week.
(3) 3—Vancouver Stealth (0-0) Their season came to an end in the Champions Cup Final against the Knighthawks. The Stealth will be a force again this season in the NLL. Led by Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff and Tyler Richards in goal the Stealth look to return to the championship again. Opening game Saturday January 4th vs Mammoth.
(5) 4—Philadelphia Wings.(1-0) Open their season with a huge win over Buffalo 17-13. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicates. Jordan Hall 5 goals (including 4 in a row) led the charge. Tracey Kelusky also a big night with 2 goals and 4 assists. Wings are idle this week, and will prepare for back to back games next weekend. On the road vs. the Knighthawks January 11th, and home for a Sunday afternoon home opener vs the Bandits.
(4) 5—Calgary Roughnecks (0-0) The 2013 West Division winners in the regular season look to get over that playoff hump and advance to the finals this season Offense is led by Shawn Evans, Dane Dobbie, Jeff Shattler and Curtis Dickson. Mike Poulin will be between the pipes, while Geoff Snider looks to dominate the face-offs again. They travel to Toronto for their season opener and face the Rock Friday night
(2) 6—Toronto Rock (0-0) The six time champions will once again be a force in the east. They know what it takes to win. Led by Colin Doyle, Garrett Billings, and Nick Rose in net the Rock look to win a record seventh title. Season and home opener this Friday night as the Roughnecks come to the ACC for a Canadian battle.
(7) 7—Minnesota Swarm (0-1) They threw 51 shots at Matt Vinc only getting 6 by him. Defense played well holding the young guns from Rochester to only eight goals. Swarm are idle this week and travel to Langley BC to face the Stealth on January 11th.
(8) 8—Colorado Mammoth. Dropped their home opener 13-10 to the Rush. Adam Jones 3 goals and 3 assists played well for the Mammoth, and John Grant Jr was his typical self. But playing good in spurts will not win you games. Dillon Ward looked good in relief of Tye Belanger.
(9) 9– Buffalo Bandits. Different season, new coach, same Bandits. Stuck in 2013 mode the Bandits were totally out-played by the Wings. Bandits are idle this week and face Toronto on January 10th at home.
