Movement at the top! It was a busy weekend with most of the top teams in action. Buffalo regains first place in the Top 8 after a win over Las Vegas. Saskatchewan beat Halifax for the second week in a row, putting them in a position to breathe down Buffalo’s neck. Ottawa, Colorado and Calgary also won, creating chaos throughout the rest of the rankings. Six weeks in and it’s still anyone’s game.
The Roughnecks got their first win of the season this weekend, beating San Diego 15-11 on the road. Three different players recorded hat tricks, with Tanner Cook and Brayden Mayea each adding six assists. Aden Walsh made 48 saves and the defence stepped up to block 10 shots. Calgary jumped on the Seals early and led 7-4 at halftime, keeping the pressure high throughout the game, something they hadn’t been able to do in their prior three outings. Every team gets sick of losing, and the Roughnecks hit their limit.
Week 6 Result: Beat Rochester 18-13
Week 7 Opponent: at Georgia (2-2)
Previous Ranking: N/A
Infused with a new energy, a six-goal run in the second quarter was the difference as the Mammoth held off the powerful Knighthawks for their second win of the season. The addition of Jack Hannah makes Colorado an immediate threat to win every game; Hannah scored twice and added six assists in his Denver debut. Even with Andrew Kew on the IR, Hannah’s presence on offence was hefty enough to buoy the entire roster. Dillon Ward made 44 saves. Matthew Paolotto won the faceoff battle 20-15. Everyone was hustling. This week, the Mammoth visit Georgia – expect some revenge for their 12-3 Week 5 loss.
Week 6 Result: Lost to Buffalo 15-13
Week 7 Opponent: vs. Saskatchewan (4-1)
Previous Ranking: 6th
A week after exploding for a six-goal win over Toronto, the Desert Dogs fell to the NLL’s top team in Buffalo by two; yet this was another game in which it never felt like Las Vegas was out of it. Buffalo had their biggest lead of the game at the conclusion of the third quarter, but Las Vegas responded by scoring eight of the game’s last 12 goals. Mitch Jones led with a five-spot and three assists, while Chase Fraser (1G/3A) and Chris Cloutier (4G) were both effective in their first trip back to Banditland. Alex Buque was solid in relief of Landon Kells, allowing his team to gain ground on the Bandits in the final frame. It was a loss, but it was a solid effort.
Week 6 Result: Beat Oshawa 16-14
Week 7 Opponent: vs. Halifax (2-2)
Previous Ranking: 8th
Seven different goal scorers capitalized for Ottawa in the fourth quarter against Oshawa as the Black Bears rallied for a two-goal win. It was the third consecutive comeback win by the Cardiac Kids, who had less ground to make up this week, but who nonetheless made the game exciting for their fans, who made the 3-hour journey on the fan bus for the game. They were flashy about it, scoring one highlight-reel marker after another. Jeff Teat continues to be the League leader in points with 40, 10 of them coming on Saturday night alone. Rob Hellyer and Reilly O’Connor, who also feature in the Top 10 in scoring, each had five-point games, as did Larson Sundown, who scored four times and assisted once. Ottawa has resiliency in spades.
Week 6 Result: Lost to Saskatchewan 11-7
Week 7 Opponent: at Ottawa (3-2), at Oshawa (1-4)
Previous Ranking: 4th
After suffering two tough losses to the Rush in Weeks 5 and 6, a bye week would be heartily welcomed by the Thunderbirds. Unfortunately, they’re right back into the fire this weekend with a Friday night game in Ottawa before visiting Oshawa on Saturday. That doesn’t leave them much time to figure out a fix for an offence that is desperately missing the creativity of Thomas Hoggarth and still waiting for Brendan Bomberry to break out. The frustration is showing in their discipline – two weeks in a row, the Thunderbirds gave the Rush eight power play chances and this week their four PP goals were the difference. But, maybe all the T-Birds need is to get away from the Rush, considering their two wins that kicked off the season and their recent 1-6 record against Saskatchewan.
Week 6 Result: Idle
Week 7 Opponent: at Calgary (1-3)
Previous Ranking: 5th
The 2-1 Warriors will be well rested when they visit arch-rival Calgary this weekend, having not hit the turf since their 8-6 win over Oshawa on December 19. It will be a homecoming for several members of the Warriors who spent their early years honing their crafts at the Saddledome. Meanwhile, they’ll be facing a Calgary team fresh off its first win of the season and hungry for a statement win with its young roster.
Week 6 Result: Lost to Colorado 18-13
Week 7 Opponent: at Philadelphia (1-2), vs. Buffalo (3-1)
Previous Ranking: 1st
Rochester lost a tough one this weekend to a reinvigorated Mammoth team. They were still able to score 13 times and never conceded the game. They scored until there was 1:34 left and they were within two when the Mammoth, who just had more energy in this one, potted two empty netters. Getting more touches for the likes of Zed Williams and Kyle Waters could help – Connor Fields, Thomas McConvey and Ryan Smith combined for 61 per cent of Rochester’s 57 shots, but what makes this offence dangerous is the ability for its supporting cast to have the opportunity to lend that support. The Knighthawks have a back-to-back this weekend, visiting Philadelphia and then hosting Buffalo at Blue Cross Arena.
Week 6 Result: Beat Halifax 11-7
Week 7 Opponent: at Las Vegas (2-2)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
In his 300th career game, co-head coach Derek Keenan led the Rush to their fourth win of the season and first place in the League standings. Two of those wins came at the expense of the Halifax Thunderbirds including an 11-7 victory on home floor Friday. Four power play goals were the difference as the Rush took advantage of an akimbo opposition. Ryan Keenan, Robert Church and Zach Manns led the offence reliably, while Frank Scigliano was a brick wall in goal. Now the Rush head to Las Vegas to try their luck against the Desert Dogs, who fought hard against Buffalo this week.
Week 6 Result: Beat Las Vegas 15-13
Week 7 Opponent: at Rochester (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The Bandits are back on top of the Power Rankings after a 15-13 win over Las Vegas in Week 6. It wasn’t a dominant win, but it was the kind of win that championship teams grab and hang on to, as they shut down the Desert Dogs’ comeback attempt. Josh Byrne led with nine points (3G/6A), Dhane Smith had eight (2G/6A), Ian MacKay had a natural hat trick, and Kyle Buchanan went airborne for four goals. The defence blocked shots and Connor Farrell won at the dot. Matt Vinc made 33 saves, including a combined 16 from his former teammates in Fraser and Cloutier. Next for the Bandits is an I-85 battle against Rochester.
