Another exciting weekend for indoor lacrosse action in the National Lacrosse League.
Joe Walters has a career night, Dan Dawson hits double digits in assists, and Johnny Powless gets more touches as the Stealth rest a star player.
Week 5—Three Stars
1—Dan Dawson (ROC). The Dangerous one was just that: DANGEROUS. Dawson recorded 11 assists and picked up seven loose balls in Rochester’s 17-11 victory over the Buffalo Bandits. Dawson is the quarterback on the powerplay as well as being a leader on the floor. Dawson put on a clinic in dealing out assists on Saturday night, and if this continues opponents could be in trouble.
2—Mark Matthews (EDM) Matthews had a banner night against the Black Wolves with six goals and two assists. Seems pairing Matthews and rookie Ben McIntosh is a lethal combination. Matthews’ explosion has now put the Rush at 2-2 and it seems the team is coming around to how they were in 2014.
3—Joe Walters (ROC) Five goals and two assists is sometimes a normal night for certain players, but for Walters it was a career night. Walters was dialed in all night. His first two goals extended the lead early in the game to 6-1, but his final two goals of the night were the most important. After regaining the lead 12-11, Walters scored the next two goals to zap the momentum completely away from Buffalo.
Honorable Mention:
Buffalo’s Jerome Thompson started in place of injured John Tavares and recorded four goals and one assist Friday night. Mark Steenhuis (5 G/5 A) and Ryan Benesch (5 G/4 A) in the two games this weekend.
For Minnesota, Callum Crawford (2 G/6 A) in defeat Friday night.
Edmonton rookie Ben McIntosh (4 G/4 A ) and is continuing to shine and make a very strong case for rookie of the year. Zack Greer (4 G/2 A) in an 18-9 win over New England.
Black Wolves Joel White picked up a game high 17 loose balls in defeat Friday night
Toronto Rock, Rob Hellyer (2 G/5 A), Brett Hickey (3 G/1 A) Josh Sanderson (1 G/5 A/GWG) Kasey Biernes (3 G), and Brandon Miller stopping 46 of 57 shots.
Calgary’s Shawn Evans (4 G/6 A), and getting his first start of the year, goalie Frank Scigliano kept Calgary in the game and stopped 40 of 52 shots.
For Rochester, Cody Jamieson (4 G/3 A), and Jordan Hall (3 G/2 A) came up huge for the Knighthawks. The biggest standout was Angus Goodleaf. Goodleaf came into the game with 3:42 remaining in the third quarter as Buffalo rocked Vinc for six goals to tie the game at 10 after being down 10-4. Angus would only allow one goal as the Knighthawks would go on a seven goal run to finish the game.
Colorado’s John Grant Jr., (6 A), Drew Westervelt (3 G/3 A) and Joey Cupido (3 G) continues to get better.
Vancouver—Johnny Powless (4 G/2 A), Corey Small (2 G/6 A), Rhys Duch (2 G/5 A), and Tyler Digby (1 G/6 A) were huge in ending the Stealth’s three game losing streak.
