#1 – Toronto Rock (8-2)
Week 13 Result: Bye
Week 14 Opponent: vs Rochester (8-2), at Philadelphia (3-5)
Previous Ranking: 1st
The Toronto Rock are your #1 team again this week. They didn’t win and they didn’t lose (and neither did the #2 ranked Buffalo Bandits), so there’s no reason the Rock should be moving anywhere for this week’s rankings. This coming weekend, the Rock are very busy with two games on the docket. Their Saturday night clash against the Knighthawks is one of the most consequential of this NLL season and their Monday night battle against the Wings in Philadelphia isn’t going to be a gimme. However, if the Rock win both of those games and move to 10-2, that would be a massive statement and give them sole possession of first in the East regardless of what Buffalo does. If they won both games, it would be only the second time in franchise history that the team was 10-2 through their first 12 games – they were 10-2 during the 2015 NLL Season and finished that year with a 14-4 record.
#2 – Buffalo Bandits (8-2)
Week 13 Result: Bye
Week 14 Opponent: at Halifax (5-5)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The Bandits had a Bye Week in Week 13, but they weren’t just sitting back with their feet up. Over the weekend, the Bandits signed one of their star forwards Chase Fraser to a one-year deal – Fraser has not played a game with the team this season. They also moved Josh Byrne to the Active Roster from the Injured Reserve List – Josh hasn’t played since January 28th against the New York Riptide. With both of those dangerous weapons coming back into the Bandits lineup, this team will be even more dangerous during the last few months of the year.
#3 – Rochester Knighthawks (8-2)
Week 13 Result: 11-10 OT win vs New York
Week 14 Opponent: at Toronto (8-2)
Previous Ranking: 4th
The Knighthawks Week 14 game against the Toronto Rock is the biggest game in their franchise’s history. Sitting at 8-2, tied with the Bandits and the Rock for the best record in the NLL this season, the Knighthawks could move ahead of the Rock in the standings and take the season-series against their East Conference rivals, who they defeated once earlier in the season. Their 11-10 OT win against the Riptide challenged the Knighthawks in every way, but they still managed to come out with the W. The Knighthawks trailed for most of the first half and never led at any point in the first 30 minutes. After grabbing control of the game with a 9-6 lead (it became a 10-6 lead early in the 4th) the Knighthawks almost let the win slip away. In their gritty, hard-fought overtime win, the Knighthawks had stars shining on offense, defense and between the pipes. When the going got tough, the Knighthawks got going. That helped them secure another victory during this incredible season they’re having.
#4 – San Diego Seals (6-2)
Week 13 Results: Bye
Week 14 Opponent: vs Las Vegas (4-5)
Previous Ranking: 5th
The San Diego Seals had an amazing weekend, and the didn’t even play. The Seals got to sit back and relax while studying up for their Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs in the Stadium Showdown, the NLL’s first ever outdoor game at Snapdragon Stadium. They got to see the Rush, PCLC and Roughnecks, who are second through fourth in the West standings, all lose, which gives them a little bit of distance at the top of the West. The Seals can move to 7-2 with a win this weekend against the surging Desert Dogs and can gain some confidence going into their giant game agains the Rush on March 11th.
#5 – Calgary Roughnecks (7-4)
Week 13 Result: 11-9 loss at Las Vegas
Week 14 Opponent: Bye
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Coming into Week 13, the Roughnecks were looking like one of the most menacing teams in the NLL. Unfortunately, they had to square off against the surging Desert Dogs, who are playing nothing like an expansion team, winning three straight. The Desert Dogs pulled off the “surprise” victory at home and were able spoil the Roughnecks travel plans. The Roughnecks have the week off before they play seven games in seven weeks all against West Conference opponents to end the regular season.
Next 3 In (in alphabetical order)
Colorado Mammoth (5-5)
Week 13 Result: 14-12 win vs Panther City
Week 14 Opponent: Bye
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Mammoth are back in the Next 3 In after their impressive performance and seemingly must win against PCLC in Week 13. Their 14 goals scored was their most productive this season. Ryan Lee is back in the lineup his presence could be felt – he tallied 10 points his first game back since the 2022 NLL Playoffs. The Mammoth forwards have been hit hard by the injury bug this season. There isn’t one forward on the team has played in every single game this year. With a Bye Week in Week 14, the Mammoth have even more time to rest up and get ready to battle in this last stretch of games. The Mammoth are currently right in the thick of the West Conference playoff race, and that’s been with the injuries. If the Mammoth can have their offensive pieces like Lee back at 100%, this team will be scary during the last few months of this season.
Panther City Lacrosse Club (6-5)
Week 13 Result: 14-12 loss at Colorado
Week 14 Opponent: vs Saskatchewan (5-4)
Previous Ranking: Next 3 In
Panther City suffered a tough loss to the Mammoth in Week 13, but they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves in Week 14 against the Rush. The West Conference is as competitive as it has ever been and PCLC are right in the thick of the playoff race. If four teams from the West were to make the 2022-23 NLL Playoffs, PCLC would be one of those teams. But, with five teams currently separated by two games or less in the West, it looks like nearly every team in the conference is going to be fighting for their postseason lives until the final week of the season.
Saskatchewan Rush (5-4)
Week 13 Result: 16-12 loss vs Vancouver
Week 14 Opponent: at Panther City (6-5)
Previous Ranking: Next 3 In
The Rush were stunned by the Warriors in Week 13. It was not the kind of loss you want to be experiencing at the point of the season when you’re fighting for your playoff life. Their upcoming game against PCLC in Week 14 will definitely be a fierce, competitive clash as both teams are trying to redeem themselves from tough losses. One key positive for the Rush was the addition of rookie Ryan Barnable, who has been with an injury all season long. He had the most caused turnovers in the game and scored his first career NLL goal. Adding a young, bruising defenseman like Barnable to this already stacked wall in front of Alex Buque could make the Rush one of the toughest defenses to crack in this last part of the season.
