#1 – San Diego Seals (3-0)
Week 5 Result: 17-14 win at Calgary
Week 6 Opponent: vs Vancouver (0-3)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The San Diego Seals are back on top of the rankings after their most explosive offensive performance of the year against the Calgary Roughnecks. The 17-goal output was one of their highest in franchise history; this was only the fifth time since the Seals were formed that they scored 17 or more goals. Curtis Dickson, Wes Berg and Dan Dobbie are leading the charge on the attack, but their depth on offense is what has helped give this team their perfect record. Expected production from Kevin Crowley and less expected weapons such as Mac O’Keefe and Casey Jackson are making this team look an unstoppable force when they have the ball.
#2 – Buffalo Bandits (2-1)
Week 5 Result: 18-13 win vs Halifax
Week 6 Opponent: at Georgia (0-2)
Previous Ranking: 5th
The Bandits had shown glimmers of collective greatness in their first two games of the season, but their Week 5 performance against the Thunderbirds was much closer to resembling the championship contending Bandits of last season. They held the Thunderbirds to their lowest goal-total of the season and put together a complete second half where the entire team shined at every position. Considering the emotional and logistical challenges that the team faced in the run-up to this game due to the deadly blizzard that tore through the city, this decisive win was that more impressive.
#3 – Saskatchewan Rush (2-1)
Week 5 Result: 11-9 win vs Panther City
Week 6 Opponent: Bye
Previous Ranking: 4th
The Rush move up one spot after the win against Panther City Lacrosse Club. PCLC is an underrated club with a potentially dynamic offense and arguably one the best up-and-coming young goaltenders in the league this season. The Rush were able to play their defensive style of lacrosse against their surging opponents to pull out a consequential early season conference win despite being banged up and missing one of their key leaders on the back end. The Rush’s blend of veteran leadership and youthful tenacity has them looking like a top contender in the West Conference this season.
#4 – Halifax Thunderbirds (2-1)
Week 5 Result: 18-13 loss at Buffalo
Week 6 Opponent: at Albany (1-1)
Previous Ranking: 1st
A drop from first to fourth seems harsh, I know, but the teams that won needed to be rewarded. The Thunderbirds are clearly one of the NLL’s elite teams this season and they went toe-to-toe with last year’s NLL Finals participants for the first 30 minutes of the game. The loss was less about what the Thunderbirds did wrong and more about what the Bandits did right. Facing the Nardella-less FireWolves this weekend, the Thunderbirds should pick up ample possessions on off the face-off to get the ball in the hands of their lethal offense.
#5 – Rochester Knighthawks (3-0)
Week 5 Result: Bye
Week 6 Opponent: vs. Panther City (2-2)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Every team wants to control their own destiny (and their spot in the power rankings), so it’s unfortunate that the undefeated Knighthawks drop two spots because other wannabe leaders of the pack all helped their case to move up while they had a week off. The Knighthawks look to be a serious contender this year and will have a chance to move to 4-0 (and potentially back up the rankings) with a win.
Next 3 In (in alphabetical order)
Calgary Roughnecks (2-1)
Week 5 Result: 17-14 loss vs San Diego
Week 6 Opponent: at Colorado (1-1)
Previous Ranking: Next 3 In
The Roughnecks are no longer undefeated this season, but they performed admirably against the #1 ranked Seals after falling behind 5-0 in the first nine minutes of their game – from that point on, they actually outscored the Seals offense 14-12. Goaltending wizard Christian Del Bianco didn’t have his best start, but he was able to keep his team within reaching distance for as the clock ticked on. In the second half Del Bianco only allowed four goals in the final 30 minutes, including only letting in one goal in the fourth quarter. This team may be young and they may no longer have the likes of a Dobbie, Dickson or Berg, but they are showing that they can do just fine without them.
Colorado Mammoth (1-1)
Week 5 Result: Bye
Week 6 Opponent: vs Calgary (2-1)
Previous Ranking: Next 3 In
The Mammoth probably would’ve preferred not to have any time off after their 12-9 victory against PCLC in Week 3, but that’s the nature of the beast. Since their Week 1 shocking loss against the Rush, the Mammoth seem to be back on track. Hosting the mighty Roughnecks at home this weekend, they will have the opportunity to prove to the lacrosse world that Week 1 was really just a fluke. A 1-0 lead in the season series against one of their fiercest rivals could jumpstart a winning run of Mammoth proportions for Colorado.
Toronto Rock (1-2)
Week 5 Result: Bye
Week 6 Opponent: at New York (0-2)
Previous Ranking: Next 3 In
The Rock are still looking to get the ball rolling this season. Their offense just hasn’t been clicking the way they’ve wanted to just yet, but their roster is fully capable of putting up a ton of goals. They will come eventually. Their defense has been very solid so far this year; Brad Kri, Mitch de Snoo have played like relentless warriors all over the floor and Nick Rose has been a fairly structurally sound brick wall in net. The matchup with the Riptide this week could be the game of the week as both teams are desperately hungry for a win.
