Week 8 saw every NLL team in action – some twice! What happened on the floor that affected the power rankings? Lots. For example, Halifax split its doubleheader weekend, while Rochester won both games in theirs. Saskatchewan continued to win, while Toronto and Oshawa flexed their muscles in dominant wins. Vancouver and Colorado got narrower wins. Let’s see how all that shook up the Power Rankings.
The FireWolves haven’t been in the Top 8 since Week 3, and they’re not back there yet, but this weekend, they showed a sold-out Tribute Communities Centre exactly what the team is capable of. It’s the second consecutive week they’ve played well, falling last week 16-14 to Ottawa and then exploding for a 16-9 win over Halifax, a game in which they only gave up one even-strength goal. The differences? Six and seven goal runs, 13 shot blocks, and their ability to stay cool as Halifax tried to stir the pot. Tye Kurtz scored seven goals, and he, Alex Simmons and Ethan Walker combined for 28 points. Look out for the FireWolves.
Henderson, USA – Jan. 9, 2026: Saskatchewan Rush vs Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, USA. (Photo by Candice Ward/National Lacrosse League)
Week 7 Result: Lost to Saskatchewan 21-15
Week 8 Opponent: vs. Philadelphia (1-3)
Previous Ranking: 7th
These days, 15 goals are enough to win you a lacrosse game, but not if you’re playing the first-place Saskatchewan Rush. The Desert Dogs were humbled by the Rush 21-15 just a week after falling to another top team in Buffalo 15-13. In neither game did the Desert Dogs play poorly; it’s just that the opposition played that much better. Against the Rush, the Dogs’ offence was firing on all cylinders – Mitch Jones, Jonathan Donville and Chase Fraser each had seven points; Chris Cloutier, Kyle Killen and Adam Poitras all had two-goal games – but they were playing catch-up the whole game. The defence was tired, defending 62 shots on goal. Next week should be a closer game with the Philadelphia Wings rolling into town.
Halifax Thunderbirds at Ottawa Black Bears 01.09.26
Week 7 Result: Lost to Halifax 13-11
Week 8 Opponent: at Buffalo (3-2)
Previous Ranking: 6th
Ottawa ran into a desperate Halifax team on Friday. The game was very much back and forth, with Ottawa holding Halifax scoreless in the second quarter only to be outscored themselves 5-1 in the third. A third of the way through the season, Ottawa sits at .500, showing its consistency at inconsistency. They’re going to play well, but they’re not guaranteed the win despite having three players in the Top 10 in scoring. Jeff Teat continues to be the League leader in points with 44, though Connor Fields is now breathing down his neck. Reilly O’Connor added eight points against Halifax and Rob Hellyer four.
Week 7 Result: Beat Ottawa 13-11, Lost to Oshawa 16-9
Week 8 Opponent: vs. Colorado (3-2)
Previous Ranking: 5th
Halifax split their doubleheader weekend, beating Ottawa before losing 16-9 to Oshawa, their third loss in their last four games. Friday, rookie Will MacLeod made a splash in his NLL debut with four goals and two assists as the T-Birds battled the Bears back and forth. Saturday, the team had no spark, trailing by nine goals at halftime. Three things need to be adjusted for Halifax to move back up the standings: shot selection, transition and discipline. Their shots were low-quality attempts, allowing Doug Jamieson to make easy saves; their transition wasn’t running the floor like they can; and in the dying minutes of the game, they let frustration boil over, initiating several scrums. They’d already taken seven minor penalties at that point; Oshawa capitalized on six of their 11 total power play opportunities. Cooler heads will have to prevail when the Mammoth visit Scotiabank Centre this week.
Week 7 Result: Beat Georgia 7-5
Week 8 Opponent: at Halifax (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 8th
A week after acquiring Jack Hannah, the Mammoth got bad news: Ryan Lee is out for the rest of the season due to injury. Lee will be sorely missed, but Colorado will look to Hannah and a close-to-returning Andrew Kew, for their offensive spark. Though Hannah only contributed a goal and an assist this week in a win over Georgia, the game overall had a much calmer pace than their frantic and high-scoring win over Rochester in Week 6. The Mammoth scored just enough to get past the Swarm, aided by a solid overall effort: they outshot them 57-44, scooped up 24 more loose balls, blocked eight shots to the Swarm’s two, and caused seven turnovers to their six. Knowing your defence is ready to step up when the offence is cool is a huge plus for the Mammoth.
CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 9, 2026: The Calgary Roughnecks against the Vancouver Warriors at Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday. (Photo by Jenn Pierce/NLL)
Week 7 Result: Beat Calgary 11-10/OT
Week 8 Opponent: vs. San Diego (1-3)
Previous Ranking: 4th
The Warriors find themselves on a quiet three-game win streak. With the big names that joined Vancouver’s roster this season, people expected big scores from this team. That hasn’t been the case. Their last two wins have been by two and one, with this weekend’s game an 11-10 overtime victory. The Warriors are going about their jobs quietly but effectively. That’s not to say they’re emotionless – the team celebrated hard when Curtis Dickson potted the game-winner on Friday night against his former club.
Buffalo Bandits @ Rochester Knighthawks 01/10/26 (Credit: Jonathan Tenca/NLL)
Week 7 Result: Lost to Rochester 12-9
Week 8 Opponent: vs. Ottawa (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 1st
While the Bandits are still a team to be feared, they are proving themselves human this season with their 3-2 record. Saturday, they fell to Rochester, trailing after every quarter. Blue Cross Arena was filled with fans – many making the drive from Buffalo – ready for the next installment of the Battle of I-90, and it was feisty with a few big hits. But the Bandits were unprepared for the pushback from their opponents. The Knighthawks fought for the ball at every moment, causing 12 turnovers compared to Buffalo’s one. Dhane Smith and Josh Byrne each scored only once, and Matt Vinc looked mortal in goal while Rylan Hartley stopped 42 shots. But there’s no need to panic – this game was likely an aberration and the defending champs will have their regular energy back next week against Ottawa.
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10 : Rochester Nighthawks v Buffalo Bandits : January 10, 2026 in Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY, USA (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu)
Week 7 Result: Beat Philadelphia 16-13, Beat Buffalo 12-9
Week 8 Opponent: vs. Toronto (2-2)
Previous Ranking: 3rd
The Knighthawks had a great weekend, picking up two wins against close rivals to sport a 4-1 record, sitting second in the standings. Connor Fields had a 13-point weekend with Ryan Lanchbury and Thomas McConvey also hitting double digits. Zed Williams broke out with a hat trick and two assists in game two. Riley Hutchcraft provided some relief to Rylan Hartley against Philadelphia, but against Buffalo, Hartley was outstanding, stopping 12 shots from Dhane Smith and 11 from Josh Byrne, holding them to one goal each. The Knighthawks activated Nathan Kapp, who won 26 of 57 faceoffs over the two games, which allowed Jeremy Thompson to focus on playing defence. It was a nice team-first recovery from their Week 6 loss to Colorado.
Week 7 Result: Beat Las Vegas 21-15
Week 8 Opponent: vs. Oshawa (2-4)
Previous Ranking: 2nd
The first-place Rush showed off this weekend with the highest goal output in a single game on the season. They were dominant from start to finish, and aside from their single loss to Ottawa, they have dominated the whole season. Ryan Keenan led with 12 points and Robert Church had 11. Zach Manns and Austin Shanks each had four goals. Jake Naso won 29 of a whopping 40 faceoffs. The team scooped 95 loose balls. No matter how hard Las Vegas fought back, the Rush never let up, and it’s unlikely that they will let up at any point going forward.
