NLL Power Rankings: Week 14

Every week during the 2022-23 National Lacrosse League season, The Lax Mag will publish updated NLL Power Rankings reflecting the previous week’s performances, as well as incorporating a team’s overall regular season rep, status, and success rate.

Buffalo Bandits 9-2 (2)

The Bandits continue to overcome injury-related adversity with a powerful next-man-up mentality, which got them past the Thunderbirds last week (10-9W). Ian MacKay is showing he can be an asset in whichever position or role John Tavares needs him, MacKay easily making a case for being one of this year’s most-versatile players.

Toronto Rock 9-3 (1)

The Rock went from knocking off the Knighthawks in arguably this year’s most exciting game (9-8W), to a frustrating performance against the Wings a few nights later (10-11L). Philadelphia capitalized on a couple Toronto miscues defensively, while the Rock offense struggled to solve goalie Zach Higgins, scoring only 10 on 65 shots. Oddly enough, Toronto also tossed 65 at Rylan Hartley in the Rochester win, but finished with one fewer.

Rochester Knighthawks 8-3 (3)

In a battle of two of this year’s best, the Knighthawks lost to the Rock (8-9L), but can’t be too unhappy with their mostly positive performance. Rylan Hartley was, again, outstanding, Ryland Rees limited Rock-scoring machine Tom Schreiber’s effectiveness (1 goal on 19 shots), and MVP maybe Connor Fields led all scorers with 7 points.

San Diego Seals 7-2 (5)

Hat-tricks from Curtis Dickson, Dane Dobbie and Casey Jackson, a strong relief effort from former starting stopper Frank Scigliano, and some timely offensive pop from two-way threat Tre Leclaire allowed the Seals to slip by the Desert Dogs during the Stadium Showcase (15-12W), the first-ever NLL game held outdoors.

Calgary Roughnecks 7-4 (4)

On a bye last weekend, the Roughnecks get Ryan Lee and the revitalized Mammoth in Denver this Friday (9pm ET). Calgary was cruising on a four-game W streak before their recent loss to Las Vegas. Another L on Friday would allow Panther City to match them for second in the West at 7-5.

Colorado Mammoth 5-5 (8)

Ryan Lee’s return definitely amplifies the Mammoth’s offensive potency, Lee capable of putting up points but also averting attention away from his teammates to capitalize on their own. A win at home versus the Roughnecks gets the defending champs back over .500, and would be their first win streaks since mid-January.

Panther City Lacrosse Club 7-5 (9)

Their convincing 16-10 win over a usually stingy Saskatchewan squad was Panther City’s biggest W of the year, one that pushed them near the top of the West too. It’s the highest they’ve sat in the standings since last year’s expansion debut, and PCLC has never looked better. Anyone else feeling Nick Damude should be in GOTY contender conversation? His GAA (10.17) and SV% (79%) are right up there, plus Damude is playing massive money minutes for the second-year side.

Philadelphia Wings 5-5 (11)

Well, the Wings first win over a legit contender and a team over the .500 mark could not have come against a stronger squad, Philadelphia topping Toronto this past Monday night in arguably 2.0’s biggest win since their return (11-10W). Zach Higgins’ kept most Rock top scorers silent (55 saves), Mitch Jones keeps connecting (8G, 13A in Week 14 games) and defenseman Chad Tutton had arguably is biggest weekend since becoming a Wing over the offseason.

Halifax Thunderbirds 5-6 (7)

The Thundbirds slip back to under the .500 mark after their second loss to the Bandits (9-10L) this season, Halifax handing over their post-season spot to the Wings after Week 14 too. After coming out so strong over their first two, the Thunderbirds have not strung together consecutive wins, well, since those opening Ws in mid-December. They’ll get Buffalo again on Friday, but this time in Banditland (7:30pm ET).

Saskatchewan Rush 5-5 (6)

Saskatchewan is on a two-game slide (1-3 over their last four), last week dropping an extremely important game to Panther City (10-16L) a week after doing the same to the Warriors (12-16). Typically a defensive force, the Rush are averaging 14 against over their last four, and are quickly losing their grip on a precious post-season spot.

Las Vegas Desert Dogs 4-6 (10)

The Desert Dogs definitely gave the Seals issues during Saturday’s Stadium Showdown, but couldn’t keep up in the fourth quarter (15-12L). Had they not been hit with so many PIMs (16), it might have been a different story. San Diego went 5-7 on the PP vs. Vegas, the Dogs matching the West leaders in five-a-side scoring though (10-10). Although Las Vegas owns the league’s third best power play (58%), their penalty kill is ranked dead last (36%).

Georgia Swarm 2-7 (13)

Lyle Thompson is heating up, rookie netminder Brett Dobson has had a good two-game stretch (72 saves and only 12 goals against), and their forwards behind Thompson are finishing with seemingly more regularity. The Swarm secured their second win of the season, again beating Albany, this time in OT (9-8W). They’ll have a tougher team to tangle with this weekend, hosting the Knighthawks on Sunday afternoon at Gas South (4pm ET).

New York Riptide 2-9 (12)

The 2-9 Riptide will need to go .500 the rest of the way if they hope to match last year’s 6-12 record. A team many felt made significant strides over the summer, New York has seemingly taken a super-sized step back after off- and in-season roster tinkering. With the NLL trade deadline looming, will we see even more deals made by a team clearly already completely out of this year’s playoff picture? Probably, right?

Vancouver Warriors 2-9 (14)

The Warriors have signed free-agent forward Dean Fairall, who seemed to be squeezed out of Panther City after the club added additional offensive depth. The Albertan was a rookie in Fort Worth last year, registering 14 goals and 17 assists in just 10 GPs. With increased opportunity in Vancouver, could we see a repeat performance from Fairall? Maybe even more?

Albany FireWolves 2-8 (15)

Up 8-6 partway through the fourth, the FireWolves allowed the Swarm to knot things up and then get finished off early in OT, the L pushing their win-less streak to six. A pre-season concern for some, Albany’s ailing offense is presently ranked last in the entire league. Coming out of Week 14, below are the bottom five in goals for/game, goals against/game and average goal differential too. Albany is one of just two teams (Vancouver is the other) that appear in all three low-end lists.

Average Goals For

15. Albany FireWolves (9.50)
14. Colorado Mammoth (9.80)
13. Georgia Swarm (10.78)
12. Vancouver Warriors (10.82)
11. Las Vegas Desert Dogs (11.20)

Average Goals Against

15. Vancouver Warriors (15.00)
14. New York Riptide (14.91)
13. Albany FireWolves (13.20)
12. Las Vegas Desert Dogs (12.60)
11. San Diego Seals (12.44)

Average Goal Differential

15. Vancouver Warriors (-4.18)
14. Albany FireWolves (-3.70)
13. New York Riptide (-3.27)
12. Colorado Mammoth (-2.10)
11. Georgia Swarm (-1.44)