NLL Saturday Recap: Statement Wins and Playoff Momentum Shifts
March 9, 2025By: Jon Rapoport
The Rush Are The First Team To 10 Wins
The Saskatchewan Rush came into the season hoping to improve to the point of contending for a playoff berth. As of March 8, 2025, not only are the fellas from Saskatoon in contention for the postseason, they just so happen to be the very first team to double-digit wins, thanks to a dramatic 8-7 victory in Duluth, Georgia, versus the seven-win Swarm.
This matchup was the NLL at its best, with each club playing both hard and smart from the opening faceoff, only committing four combined penalties for the duration of the 60-minute affair.
The Swarm held a 5-4 lead as both teams made their way to the Gas South Arena dressing rooms for halftime. Come the second half, the Rush scored twice to take a 6-5 edge. Georgia mounted a two-goal surge, followed by a similar Saskatchewan swell, moving the guys in green ahead to the eventual 8-7 final after Josh Zawada delivered what would become the game-winner with 4:14 remaining.
Ryan Keenan and Brock Haley led the parade for the Rush, combining for four goals and two assists. Clark Walter and Jake Boudreau were feeling very philanthropic, with the pair coalescing on five helpers.
Lyle Thompson was held goal-less, though he helped his teammates to score on four occasions. Shayne Jackson and Bryan Cole lit the lamp two occasions apiece for the Southerners.
Both goalkeepers were out of this world, as Frank Scigliano walled 45 of 52 attempts, with Brett Dobson re-directing 34 of 42 spheres of vulcanized rubber.
Goaltender Frankie Scigliano makes 45 saves to lead @SaskRushLAX to an 8-7 win over Georgia.
Calgary Roughnecks’ on March 8, 2025 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Calgary Roughnecks @ Buffalo Bandits. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
The Roughnecks Rough Up The Bandits In Buffalo
More than 19,000 Western New Yorkers elected to spend their Saturday night at downtown Buffalo’s KeyBank Center in hopes of watching the two-time defending champs reach the 10-win plateau. But, in a shocking turn of events, it was the visiting Calgary Roughnecks who looked like world-beaters, dismantling the Bandits 17-11.
With the game tied 9-9 in the third, something got into the Roughnecks, as the dudes from Canada’s energy epicenter sent shockwaves through the world champs, imparting 8 of the night’s final 10 goals, including the final four scores of the event.
Curtis Dickson was downright spectacular, posting a sock trick to go along with two assists. Jesse King was just as masterful, tabulating four scores and six helpers. Brayden Mayea and Tanner Cook each discovered hat tricks, while Tyler Pace dished out an astronomical seven assists. Newly acquired Nick Rose was strong when protecting the pipes, stopping 43 of 54 armaments.
It’s an 8-point night for Curtis Dickson as @NLLRoughnecks take down Buffalo.
On the Bandits side of the equation, Dhane Smith made history, scoring his 400th career goal, amid a four-point effort. Josh Byrne was responsible for two scores and three dishes, with Kyle Buchanan and Tehoka Nanticoke achieving two goals per player. The Roughnecks move to 7-6, with Buffalo falling to a still outstanding 9-2.
The Great Dhane hits the 400-goal mark. And all scored with @NLLBandits.
Newcomers Shined Brightly In Albany Against Philadelphia
8,300 representatives of America’s birthplace headed to Wells Fargo Center for a clash of two teams not playing the type of lacrosse either had envisioned at the beginning of the season. On this night, the now 4-9 Albany FireWolves took down the currently 5-7 Philadelphia Wings by the score of 12-10. The Wings have now lost five consecutive games.
Led by Alex Simmons (4G, 3A) & Kyle Jackson (3G, 2A), the @AlbFireWolves take the 12-10 dub in a tough road test over the Wings in Philly!
New faces in new places were the story at hand, as Kyle Jackson starred for Albany, obtaining a hat trick, alongside two assists. Mitch de Snoo and Chris Corbeil made immediate impacts for Philly, uniting on three notations to the scorebook. Shane Simpson rounded out the debut performances with one assist on an early Wings goal.
The home club led 3-1, only to witness the FireWolves scorch six of the next seven goals to take a 7-4 benefit. Leading 10-6, Albany allowed the Pennsylvanians to claw back to a mere 11-10 shortfall, with the visitors lowering the curtain courtesy of a late empty net score.
Alex Simmons was outstanding for the New Yorkers, scoring four and assisting on three. The Wings star duo of Joe Resetarits and Mitch Jones only scored twice but set others up on a robust nine instances.
In the collision of high touted rookies, both Brennan O’Neill and Dyson Williams finished void of goals, though the young stars each supplied four assists to their Philadelphia and Albany running mates.
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