Confirmed: A 10-game weekend in the NLL will cause chaos in the Power Rankings. Five teams stepped up and played twice. We had Buffalo, the defending champs, get back to form with two wins. Conversely, Saskatchewan suffered two consecutive losses for the first time this season. Also losing twice was San Diego, while Georgia and Philadelphia split their home-and-home series. There was a lot of movement this week, so read on.
Halifax snapped a five-game losing skid this weekend, beating Calgary 14-10 at the Saddledome. It keeps the Thunderbirds in the playoff conversation; they have eight more games to prove themselves. It was a five-goal outburst in the third quarter that elevated Halifax to victory. Clarke Petterson had two in that run and five overall, while Randy Staats picked up a hat trick. Goaltender Warren Hill had been having a tough run, but he was outstanding, making 48 saves. Next week, the Thunderbirds host Las Vegas, a team on a two-game losing streak and not so far ahead of them in the standings.
CALGARY, AB – FEBRUARY 28, 2026: The Calgary Roughnecks against the Halifax Thunderbirds at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. (Photo by Jenn Pierce/NLL)
Week 14 Result: Beat Saskatchewan 13-12/OT
Week 15 Opponent: vs Calgary (2-9)
Previous Ranking: N/A
The Knighthawks (now 5-5) snapped a four-game losing streak in Week 14, beating the first place Rush in overtime – their first win since January 10. They fell behind 3-0 early but quickly tied it in a scoring frenzy. Saskatchewan led 6-5 before the first quarter was out. But for every goal the Rush scored, the Knighthawks had an answer. They flipped the script in overtime when Ryan Smith converted a Ryan Lanchbury pass for the winner, on Lanchbury’s eighth assist of the game. Smith finished with a hat trick and two assists, but it was Zed Williams’ best game in a Rochester uniform (5G) that had the most impact. That, along with the whopping 65 shots on Thomas Kiazyk. It was a complete effort from the Knighthawks.
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 28 :: Rochester Knighthawks v Saskatchewan Rush :: February 28, 2026 in Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY, USA (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu)
Week 14 Result: Beat Saskatchewan 11-10/OT, Beat Toronto 14-9
Week 15 Opponent: Bye Week
Previous Ranking: N/A
A double-win weekend welcomes the defending champs back to the Top 8. Their record is now even at 6-6, and this weekend marked the first time they have won two in a row since early January. It was touch-and-go in an NLL Finals rematch against the Rush, who tied the game with 57 seconds left, but Josh Byrne scored the OT winner. They went on to make a statement against their rivals in Toronto. Matt Vinc made 89 saves in the two games, and the entire offence contributed in either or both games. Josh Byrne – 15 points. Dhane Smith – 12 points. Ian MacKay – four goals. This weekend was a confidence booster for the Bandits, who now face a bye week before hosting the powerful Mammoth in Week 16.
Buffalo Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rush on Feb. 27, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Caroline Sherman/NLL)
Week 14 Result: Lost to Buffalo 14-9
Week 15 Opponent: at Vancouver (9-3)
Previous Ranking: 5th
Despite 55 shots on Matt Vinc and the Bandits, the Rock couldn’t keep up against the defending champs. Mark Matthews had a seven-point game (4G/3A), and Owen Hiltz and Chris Boushy scored two goals each, but the rest of Toronto’s offence was lacklustre against their archrivals. They beat Buffalo in caused turnovers and loose balls and were much better on faceoffs this week after the addition of Nick Rowlett, so defensively things are sound in Hamilton. The Rock are walking a fine line, however – Troy Holowchuk will need more support next week in Vancouver for the Rock to keep their record above .500.
Week 14 Result: Beat Oshawa 14-13/OT
Week 15 Opponent: at Colorado (9-3)
Previous Ranking: 7th
It’s a trend – once again, the Black Bears won their game after a fourth-quarter comeback. It wasn’t Jeff Teat leading the charge this weekend, although he did have four assists in the frame. It was Reilly O’Connor and Rob Hellyer with two goals and two assists each, Sam Firth with two goals, and Connor Kearnan with a goal and four assists. Ottawa had to overcome a mid-game eight-goal run from Oshawa, and with less than five minutes to play, they were still down 13-9. Kearnan tied it with 14 seconds left, and O’Connor scored the OT winner to extend Ottawa’s winning streak to three games.
Oshawa FireWolves at Ottawa Black Bears 02.28.26
Week 14 Result: Beat Philadelphia 11-6, Lost to Philadelphia 9-5
Week 15 Opponent: Bye Week
Previous Ranking: 3rd
The Swarm had an okay weekend, splitting their home-and-home series with Philadelphia. The two teams developed a rivalry back in 2020, with seven consecutive games through 2023 won by a single goal. Philadelphia had won their last three meetings, but with the Wings struggling this season, Friday night the Swarm took full advantage. Saturday, though, the Swarm were lacking their normal offensive spark and only managed five goals. Rookie Nolan Byrne was the weekend star, with a hat trick in each game, and despite Saturday’s loss, Brett Dobson’s GAA actually dropped by .01 to 7.02. The fourth-place Swarm have a week off before hosting third-place Vancouver on March 14 – a game that should be circled on their calendars.
February 27, 2026: Georgia Swarm vs Philadelphia Wings at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
Week 14 Result: Beat Las Vegas 14-10, Beat San Diego 9-7
Week 15 Opponent: vs Toronto (6-5)
Previous Ranking: 4th
After a two-win weekend, the Warriors (and Mammoth) are one win away from tying Saskatchewan for first place. They spent their southwestern swing playing with confidence, like the veteran team they are. Keegan Bal scored 13 points including six goals, while Christian Del Bianco made 85 saves. They were down on Sunday against San Diego, but like Week 13’s game versus Buffalo, stayed calm and just chipped away at the lead, using a five-goal run to swing the game their way.
Week 14 Result: Lost to Buffalo 11-10/OT, Lost to Rochester 13-12/OT
Week 15 Opponent: Bye Week
Previous Ranking: 1st
The Rush had a chance to clinch their spot in the NLL Playoffs this weekend, but floundered, with two overtime losses to struggling teams. Against Buffalo, they were down the whole game until Ryan Keenan tied it with 57 seconds left, only to watch Josh Byrne pot the winner. In Rochester, they were up 3-0 but were matched goal for goal with six ties before Rochester reversed the trend and scored in overtime. In both games, the offence was balanced; the Rush had the edge defensively.
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 28 :: Rochester Knighthawks v Saskatchewan Rush :: February 28, 2026 in Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY, USA (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu)
Week 14 Result: Beat San Diego 14-12
Week 15 Opponent: vs Ottawa (7-5)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The Mammoth learned two very important lessons this weekend: One, never give up, and two, backup goaltender Nathan Whittom can carry a game. After the Seals went up 5-0 and 9-4, it looked like the Mammoth were done for. But Whittom replaced Dillon Ward in the second quarter and held the Seals to four goals over 36 minutes, making 25 saves, while they scored 10 of their own. Andrew Kew had four goals, Jack Hannah a hat trick, Owen Rahn a pair, and Dylan Hess picked up his first two career goals. Captain Robert Hope led the defense with four blocked shots and 10 loose balls as the Mammoth proved they’re dominant enough to come back from anything.
Denver, Colorado – February 27, 2026: Colorado Mammoth player Jordan Gilles (23) and Andrew Kew (42) after the game. San Diego Seals at Colorado Mammoth at the Ball Arena in Denver Colorado, United States. (Photo by Isaiah J. Downing/National Lacrosse League)
