NLL Friday Night on TSN has never been known to disappoint, so why start now? East meets West this week, as the Toronto Rock are back on the road for a shamrock-riddled rendezvous with the Vancouver Warriors. After their 15-12 win over the Halifax Thunderbirds in Week 15, the Rock are on the lookout for leprechauns and likely won’t take too kindly to the Warriors’ change in decor.
Friday is going to be fun! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/VK9DPlzCsi
— Vancouver Warriors (@VanWarriors) March 12, 2025
Vancouver is now on the precipice of a third straight loss, after falling to San Diego last week 13-11, and to Saskatchewan in Week 13, but recent changes on the defensive end could signal the beginning of a reinvigoration for the ‘25 Warriors. In a now-landmark deadline-pushing trade, Vancouver has signed Calgary goalkeeper Christian Del Bianco to a one-year deal and moved him to the Active Roster, in exchange for defender Brayden Laity and three future draft picks – a surprising move between the pipes, given current tendy Aden Walsh’s more than satisfactory performance in net, now second overall in goalie stats.
This will be Toronto and Vancouver’s first meeting this season, as both squads look to get back above .500, now showcasing revitalized squads through trades, wins and a few much-needed bye weeks over the last several weeks, as Toronto’s recent additions have acclimated well to the Rock style of ball. Toronto defender Josh “Double J” Jubenville is also making his road return from the IR, his first appearance since Week 11’s contest against San Diego. As both teams aim to control the controllable, Vancouver’s luck of the Irish may prove to be this weekend’s deciding factor.
Vancouver takes on Toronto tonight at 10:00pm ET. Watch on TSN+, ESPN+, & NLL+.
Just when you thought the season couldn’t get more exciting, the Bandits are back on the defensive! After the Roughnecks brought it to ‘em last week at KeyBank Center, the Buffalo Bandits are shipping up and over to Alberta looking for a get-back, where they find themselves in a near mirror image matchup to their series with San Diego — a home loss in Week 12, followed by a road win in Week 13.
A loss for Buffalo this weekend wouldn’t necessarily signal a power shift over the coming weeks, nor would it bump the 7-6 Roughnecks into the number one spot, but combined with a Rush win over Halifax, it could signal the seating of a new number one in the League Standings. The Bandits, however, don’t seem willing to take that chance, tacking on two heavy hitters in transition in Ron John and Kiel Matisz, both acquired in the four-team trade on March 10. Over the course of their 10 games played so far this season, John and Matisz have amassed a combined 39 points and 60 loose balls, as well 10 caused turnovers, making them the perfect dual threats for a Buffalo team stacked with two-way players.
Four teams. One trade. 🔁 pic.twitter.com/HAkgbNiSY6
— NLL (@NLL) March 10, 2025
Calgary, having made most of their moves in the weeks prior to the trade deadline, have also added defender Brayden Laity, formerly a Vancouver Warrior, but it’s yet unconfirmed whether he’ll suit up this weekend alongside new Roughnecks’ star goalkeeper Nick Rose. Will the Roughnecks be the team to finally dethrone the ‘25 Bandits, or will Buffalo remain a sisyphean idol?
Buffalo takes on Calgary for this weekend’s Saturday Showcase. The action starts at 9:00pm ET on ESPN+, TSN+, & NLL+.
Starting over is hard, and being thrown back to square one can be disheartening, even making you wonder if it’s worth getting back on the horse… but no time to think about that, playoffs are almost here! Up until Weeks 14 and 15, both Halifax and Saskatchewan were nursing a five-game hot streak and showing no signs of cooling down. In Week 14, the Bandits put a halt on the Rush in Saskatchewan, narrowly escaping the stampede with a 9-7 win, while this past weekend, the Thunderbirds were torn out of the sky by the Toronto Rock in a 15-12 slugfest at home.
Doing what captains do! Cody Jamieson leads @HFXThunderbirds with 4 goals, but the Thunderbirds can’t get past Toronto.
Roll the Jamieson highlights 📽️ pic.twitter.com/KRH5nXGcJ4
— NLL (@NLL) March 8, 2025
While the Rush have already had a game since, taking down the Georgia Swarm 8-7 last weekend, both teams are eyeing a win this weekend to reignite a streak as March flies by. With a bye week under their belt, the Thunderbirds have had a chance to clear their heads and fully adjust to the lineup changes made last week. As of Thursday, March 11, Halifax’s Dawson Theede and Wake:Riat BowHunter will remain on IR. However, points leader Randy Staats has been moved to the active roster.
While the home team is still without several pieces of their settled and transition offense, the visitors are flying in with as few changes as possible. With Robert Church still out on leave and Matt Acchione still on the IR, Josh Zawada remains on the active roster in his stead. While a win for Halifax this weekend might not sling them back into the Top 3 immediately, they’re now one of four 7-5 teams, and a win could be the difference maker between third place and sixth.
The March to May continues and the playoff picture is coming into focus! 👀 pic.twitter.com/RHEAQ8Bm4n
— NLL (@NLL) March 13, 2025
Saskatchewn travels to Halifax to take on the Thunderbirds. The ball drops for faceoff at 6:00pm ET. Watch on TSN+ ESPN+ NLL+.
It’s party time! Excellent! At Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, the Wings host their beloved mascot Wingston’s Birthday Celebration! The team is celebrating his seventh birthday since his debut in 2018, giving the first 1,500 children a collectible Wings’ coloring book and a Wingston bobblehead for fans party-savvy enough to go for the bobblehead ticket package. While Wingston would be the first to tell you all he wants is for everyone to have a great time celebrating his birthday with him, his one true birthday wish is a home win.
Party mode: activated! The Mascots have officially RSVP’d for Wingston’s Birthday! @GrittyNHL, @BlueCoaty, @PhilaUnionPhang, @SixersFranklin, The Phanatic, and Swoop
Meet all of Wingston’s friends and join in on the celebration!
🎟️: https://t.co/xQ33Wbpfun pic.twitter.com/94PGCIsyKG— Philadelphia Wings (@NLLwings) March 12, 2025
The Wings, now desperately clinging to 10th place in League standings, are staring down a five-game losing streak after falling unceremoniously (albeit ironically) during Emo Night against the Albany FireWolves. As one of five teams now toeing the line between 0.500 and the playoff Elite Eight, a win is needed now more than ever, and Saturday night is as good a night as any to start a run.
February 8, 2025: The Halifax Thunderbirds vs Philadelphia Wings
Philadelphia is hosting the 7-5 Colorado Mammoth, who have undergone some pretty significant changes on their offensive end. Anchor forward Zed Williams was moved to the Season-Ending Injury List following their Week 14 win over Calgary, an announcement that shocked Colorado and worried their fans. If that wasn’t enough excitement for a bye week, the Mammoth also revealed forward Eli McLaughlin’s move to the Hold Out List after announcing the start of his onboarding process to become a member of the Vancouver Fire Department. With the Mammoth missing two of their top scorers and veteran players, the young bucks will have their work cut out for them in Philadelphia.
Colorado takes on Philadelphia on Saturday at 1:00pm ET. Watch on TSN+ ESPN+ NLL+.
It just doesn’t get easier for the Knighthawks! Burdened almost immediately with a tooth-and-nail first half of the season, Rochester is on the road to Canada’s capital city to face off against the Black Bears. Another first matchup in the League, Saturday’s scuffle marks the first of a two-game series between the two teams.
While the Knighthawks made it through the trade deadline with relatively few changes, Ottawa made its fair share of exchanges in the final hour. In the four-team trade, the Black Bears made it out with several future considerations and a few new bodies of their own, acquiring two-time champion defender Sam La Roue from the Bandits and forward Travis Longboat from the Albany FireWolves.
🚨TRADE ALERT🚨
The FireWolves have acquired Johnathan Peshko via trade with @ottblackbears for Travis Longboat, a 2026 1st Round Pick and a 2026 4th Round Pick.
Read more 👉 https://t.co/1h2SuIXEOt#GetFiredUp🔥 pic.twitter.com/nR3EAJgPe7
— Albany FireWolves Lacrosse Club (@AlbFireWolves) March 10, 2025
Longboat has amassed five goals and nine assists in his seven games played so far this season, despite spending the brunt of the early weeks on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Ottawa has fluctuated between the top eight and the bottom four for the last several weeks and is eager to snatch the seventh-place slot from Rochester.
Rochester’s electric offense has put the league on notice, with star player Connor Fields leading the way. Fields joined NLL Box Out with Maki & Coop to discuss the team’s pivotal game against the Ottawa Black Bears in Week 16.
Rochester is set to battle it out with Ottawa on Saturday at 3:00pm ET. Watch on TSN+, ESPN+, & NLL+.
The Swarm are once again on the road for blood, swinging into FireWolves’ den to play the role of supervillain for Marvel Super Hero Night in Upstate. As most dedicated lacrosse fans know, Saturday night’s matchup in Albany is a homecoming game, of sorts, for Lyle and Miles Thompson, both of whom famously attended the University at Albany. But this weekend is already fated to be far from an evening filled with smiles, selfies and autographs. Having come just shy of derailing the Saskatchewan Rush in Week 15, the Swarm are playing with a chip on their shoulder, itching to get the taste of a loss out of their mouths.
Albany, on the other hand, is finally feeling the highs of victory, leaving Philadelphia last week with a 12-10 win, their second in a two-game series with the Wings. But this isn’t the same pack of FireWolves. Following the better-late-than-never trade deadline, Albany managed to snag a few new toys that they’re eager to take for a spin. Originally a Vancouver Warrior, and an Ottawa Black Bear for all of five minutes, Albany received forward Johnathan Peshko in the four-team trade on Monday.
He was the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft and now the newest member of the Wolves 🐺
Welcome, Johnathan Peshko!#GetFiredUp🔥 pic.twitter.com/VWFiqwOIRJ
— Albany FireWolves Lacrosse Club (@AlbFireWolves) March 10, 2025
In his 12 games played so far this season, Peshko has tallied nine goals and 11 assists, as well as 42 loose balls and a caused turnover. His hardnose Vancouver ball may be just what the FireWolves need to take down the League’s number four team, but rest assured, the Swarm have no plans to go quietly.
Albany is expecting their largest crowd of the season and a lower bowl sellout on Marvel Superhero Night at MVP Arena! Don’t miss out on the excitement and join the FireWolves for an action-packed night in the Den.
The FireWolves “Tickets For Heroes” campaign will give hundreds of tickets to the real heroes from the local members of the military and first responders.
Our Den is ready…We’ll see you tomorrow!
We are expecting our largest crowd of the season, so Our Den will be rockin’.
🎟️ https://t.co/ebAtnnB0bk#GetFiredUp🔥 pic.twitter.com/CJbd3gFUp2
— Albany FireWolves Lacrosse Club (@AlbFireWolves) March 14, 2025
Georgia travels to Albany to take on the FireWolves on Saturday at 7:00pm ET. Watch on TSN+, ESPN+, & NLL+.
The only thing better than two days of non-stop NLL action is three days of non-stop NLL action! The Desert Dogs are taking a field trip to SeaWorld to revisit their cross-border neighbors, the San Diego Seals, for a Sunday afternoon matinee. The two met previously this season during Week 8 in Las Vegas, where the Desert Dogs ran away with a 12-10 win, their second of the season at that point. The Seals are on a mission to hammer in a home win and maintain their position in the Elite Eight, eager to expand upon their 13-11 win over Vancouver last weekend.
Hosting the Desert Dogs during their Native American Heritage Game, the afternoon will focus on fostering respect and humility towards their fellow players and further educating new and veteran fans on the roots of the game… as soon as they get past the bad blood. In one of the many too-close-for-comfort trades before Monday’s deadline, the Desert Dogs traded defender James Barclay to San Diego in exchange for forward Justin Sykes and a second-round selection in the 2026 Entry Draft. It’s not often you get to play your former team so soon, and with both teams holding an involuntary defector, it’s sure to be an exciting afternoon.
Las Vegas travels to San Diego to take on the Seals in an NLL on ESPN matchup. The action starts Sunday at 4:30pm ET on ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+, & NLL+.
