PK’s NLL Power Rankings - Week 15

*Reminder these are Power Rankings. To see the Standings please head to NLL.com

1.       Buffalo Bandits – 9-1 (Last Week: #1)

The defense of first place was successful after their 9-7 hard fought victory over the Rush on Saturday night. A game many people had circled on their calendar for months lived up to the hype but in a different way. Instead of a 13-12 game, we were treated to a lower scoring affair that saw great defense and goaltending from both sides. For the 4th straight week, Buffalo saw themselves down after the 1st quarter. But from the 12:01 mark in the 2nd until the end of the game, the team allowed just 2 goals with one being I the final seconds. 13 Blocked shots and 8 caused turnovers were credited to the Bandits while Matt Vinc made 41/48 saves. The Rush were able to hold Josh Byrne (2/4/6) and Dhane Smith (0/5/5) in check but were not able to muster any offense for themselves and the Bandits were able to stifle their transition game all night. With now a 2 game buffer and the head to head advantage over the Rush, the Bandits attention draws to the Roughnecks who come to town Saturday night before the 2nd half of the home and home sees the Bandits fly out west next weekend.

2.       Saskatchewan Rush – 9-3 (last Week: #2)

While they did not get the result they were hoping for, as far as the game went, it’s safe to say that the Rush are able to go toe to toe with the Bandits and hold their own. This after the news Robert Church would not be at the game on Saturday night in their 9-7 loss to Buffalo. The team was only able to muster up 7 goals to their name and only 2 in the 2nd half of the game. SAS went up 5-2 early in the 2nd, but Buffalo was able to lock down their offense that saw everyone but Zach Manns (4/0/4) shoot 3 of 62 on the night. What they can hang their hat on is how well they played on the defensive end and in net. The defense caused 12 turnovers and were able to hold Dhane Smith scoreless. In net, Frank Scigliano went save for save with Matt Vinc to prove he is one of the top netminders in the league this year. The road does not get easier for the Rush who have 5 games remaining against teams currently in a playoff spot. A very important matchup comes up on Saturday as they head south to Georgia who are a game and a half behind the Rush in the Standings. A win gets them more breathing room but a lose means they will be watching over their shoulder the rest of the season.

3.       Halifax Thunderbirds – 7-4 (Last Week: #3)

With the Rush dropping their game this past weekend, Halifax has the league’s longest winning streak now at 5 games after their 9-5 win in Vegas on Saturday night. Warren Hill continued his incredible stretch making 41/46 saves and held Vegas scoreless for the first 16:14 of the game while allowing just 1 goal in 40:36 to start the game. Ryan Terefenko continues to produce now having scored 12 goals in the last 5 games and is the clear favorite for transition player of the year. While they were only able to net 9 on the night vs Vegas who has the worst GAA in the league, I would say that is more to do with the play of Landon Kells (52/60 saves) than anything the offense did or didn’t do. If we look ahead they still have Buffalo, Saskatchewan and Georgia on their schedule, but they have Toronto twice who have sold off pieces with likely more to come. That first of 2 comes this weekend at home.

4.       Georgia Swarm – 7-4 (Last Week: #4)

If you want an example of what it means when you hear someone say lacrosse is a game of runs, this game is perfect. Ottawa took a 2-0 lead early in the 1st. Georgia would score the next 5 to take a 5-2 led into the 2nd. The Bears would then score 5 of their own to take the lead 7-5. However, the Swam would score the next 10 of 12 goals to win the game 15-9 and move to 7-4 on the year. Brett Dobson was great again in net making 42/51 saves in the victory. But, it has been the goal scoring recently that has been the reason the Swarm have moved into the 4th spot in the rankings and standings. They are 3-1 in their last 4 games and are averaging 13.5 goals a game. In the 7 games prior they were 4-3 averaging 11 goals. someone I have been tough on this season has been one of the big reasons for that turn around. That players name is Shayne Jackson. In his first 7 games of the season he was 7/12/19. In the last 4 games he is 8/14/22. If the team can continue to get this type of production from guys like Jackson, they can be a threat in playoffs and likely could be hosting a home game. Their biggest test so far this season is vs the Rush on Saturday night who just held the number 1 scoring team in the league to 9 goals. it’s a measuring stick game for the team for sure.

5.       Colorado Mammoth – 7-5 (Last Week: #6)

I called the game between Calgary and Colorado a must win for both teams. And it was the Mammoth who got the message and ran with it. Colorado jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 1 and a 7-2 led at half. But the game was never very close even with a final score of 11-8. Dillon Ward put on a master class performance in net going 49/57 to lead the team to their current 7-5 record. We also saw vintage Eli McLaughlin in the matchup who scored 4 and picked up the slack from missing Zed Williams who is likely out for some time. Ryan Lee also appears to be getting back to his pre injury performances with a 7 point night. It has been the case with this team for a few years now. When someone goes down, the others seem to pick up the play. However, someone they need to get going is Connor Kelly. Just 2 assists on the night. In the first 6 of the season he was 20/17/37. In the last 6 he is 7/12/19. The team heads into their final bye week of the season before heading to Philly on the 15th.

6.       Calgary Roughnecks – 6-6 (Last Week: #5)

In a must win game, Calgary were no shows for the 1st half. No goals until the 12:02 mark in the 2nd is now way to welcome new goalie Nick Rose onto the team. Overall I thought Rose played well behind a defense that had been shaky at best this season. He made 46/57 saves and allowed just 6 goals from the 2nd quarter on. It might take a bit more time for him and the defense to get adjusted but at 6-6, they don’t have a ton of time. As for the offense, Dane Dobbie (1/0/1) was very quiet shooting 1/8 on the night. In fact, the whole offense struggled to figure out Dillon ward going 8/54 shooting or just under 15%. A big reason I called this a must win was because of their upcoming schedule. They get Buffalo back to back weeks before SD and SAS. The team needs to at least go 2-2 in the next 4 to keep pace in the crowded 6-11 seeds.

7.        Rochester Knighthawks – 6-7 (Last Week: #8)

The team that continues to lead the league in games played have inched their way back into the playoff picture with their 14-7 win over Albany on Friday night after leading 5-2 at half, and 7-2 early in the 3rd. Albany would score 5 of the next 6 to pull within 1 early in the 4th. But Rochester would score the final 6 of the game including the last 4 on the PP to take the victory and more to 6-7 on the year. Rylan Hartley playoff one of his best games of the year making 36/43 stops while getting help with 9 blocked shots from the guys in front of him. However, the offense is finally starting to come alive. Winners in 3 of their last 4, they are averaging 13.25 goals. In their first 9 games they were 3-6 with an average of 11.11 goals a game. They will look to get their record back to .500 for the first time since week 2 when they square off vs Vegas Friday night to try and sweep the season series.

8.       San Diego Seals – 5-6 (Last Week: #7)

Usually I try to avoid moving a team down when they are on a bye week. However, between Rochester winning and a puzzling trade, I felt it was necessary. For a team that has struggled not just from the production aspect for the left side of the forwards, but also the health. They sent Kyle Jackson to Albany for a couple of picks. Now maybe that has to do with work/life outside of the NLL, but it just seems strange to make a move like this. Yes, Pat Kavanagh was added to the active roster so we might get our first look at his box game this year. It could also be an indication that Benny is on his way back as well as their faith in what they have seen from a Dylan Watson. But Jackson was at least a known and reliable Lefty on a team that has been in need of that spot all year long. Maybe I’ll end up with egg on my face. But for a team that is grasping to that final playoff spot, seemed off to make this kind of trade unless something behind the scenes forced their hand. They are in a must win game of their own Friday night vs Vancouver to try and split the season series and stay ahead of the Warriors in the standings.

9.       Vancouver Warriors – 5-6 (Last Week: #9)

10.   Philadelphia Wings – 5-6 (Last Week: #10)

11.   Ottawa Black Bears – 5-6 (Last Week: #11)

12.   Toronto Rock – 3-8 (Last Week: #12)

13.   Albany Firewolves – 3-9 (Last Week: #13)

14.   Las Vegas Desert Dogs – 3-9 (Last Week: #14)