NLL Power Rankings: Week 17
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 11-3 (2)
They were up 1-0 and then wouldn’t lead again until OT, the Bandits storming back late to top the Seals 7-6 in what was easily one of 2023’s most thrilling games. Steve Priolo’s rare extra-frame winner (the fourth GWG of his career) was nice, but so was the rest of his stat line: 13LB, 3BLK and 2CTO. Has Priolo been good enough to garner his first DPOTY? He’s 100% in the conversation, which likely only includes a handful of other names.
San Diego Seals 10-3 (1)
It wouldn’t be difficult to argue that a of couple critical (questionable?) calls cost the Seals Saturday’s OT thriller (their second game in as many nights) against the only team above them here. While most of us have been wondering who the team’s starting stopper actually is, San Diego continues to creep closer to a post-season clinch with two capable goalies (Frank Scigliano & Chris Origlieri) that have excelled starting and when summoned from the sidelines. Is their status a topic for debate or simply depth at arguably the most important position?
Calgary Roughnecks 10-4 (3)
The Roughnecks 14-6 dismantling of the Rush on Saturday night was easily one of the most complete 60-minute efforts from any team this season. From Tanner Cook’s sock-trick, to Christian Del Bianco putting on a clinic in his crease, and Eli Salama looking damn good defensively, the team so many wondered about in the preseason have already matched last year’s win total and look destined for more a season later. Probably much more.
Toronto Rock 11-4 (4)
Outscored in the second half, the Rock’s eventual 11-9 win over the FireWolves looked in doubt late, but a TD Ierlan face-off win and Latrell Harris empty netter clinched a post-season spot. While Nick Rose and Tom Schreiber were very clearly the team’s MVPs during the first half of Toronto’s season, Dan Craig may own that title in the second. Averaging 1.5 goals during their first eleven, Craig has upped that 3.5 over their last four, his 19% shooting percentage is easily the best on the Rock’s offensive unit, plus his defensive digits are well above average for a full-time forward.
Halifax Thunderbirds 7-7 (5)
Their record may not have as many wins as those surrounding them in our Power Rankings, but there may be no hotter team right now than the Thunderbirds, who’s 14-10 win over the Wings allowed them to take over sole possession of fourth in the East. Over their last five games, they’ve beaten the Riptide, Rock and previously mentioned Wings, their two losses over that stretch a pair of one-goal games against the East-leading Bandits. They won’t see another team near a .500 record until the playoffs, which Halifax certainly seems on track to make.
Rochester Knighthawks 9-5 (6)
The month of March has really messed up Rochester’s record. The Knighthawks are just 1-3 over the past four weeks, their 12-7 loss against Las Vegas in Week 17 easily one of their most disappointing results of the year. The absence of Curtis Knight, who the team officially moved to their IR last week, is bigger than his stats this year would suggest. Knight is one of Rochester’s most relied-on veterans, and all his off-ball extras, including in-floor leadership, aren’t easy to replace.
Colorado Mammoth 6-7 (7)
Like last year, even though injuries have played a big role in their season, the Mammoth are a tough team to figure out. After dropping Buffalo in Banditland, Colorado was outplayed in Vancouver a week later (12-14L). It was their first loss with Ryan Lee in the lineup. Speaking of Lee, after just three GPs, he already sits sixth overall in team point scoring (23) and is tied for fourth in assists (21).
Panther City Lacrosse Club 8-6 (8)
Even after a one-sided loss to San Diego (9-17L), Panther City still has a good grip on the West’s third spot after the Mammoth failed to make up any ground in Week 17. It feels like nine wins might still be enough for a West Conference team to make the playoffs, and that includes the wild card. Although their season has been filled with games against sub .500 sides, PCLC has a pair against Calgary over their final four, which will be two of the franchise’s biggest games yet.
Philadelphia Wings 6-8 (9)
Yes, the Wings lost a critical contest to Halifax in Week 17, but the effort, eagerness and energy the team played with to battle back after being down five is a vibe they need to keep going during this push. The Wings are just 1-3 over their last four, see Rochester twice and Toronto once, plus play their final 2023 regular season home date this weekend. A win against the Knighthawks, who are going through their own recent struggles, this Sunday isn’t a mathematical must-win gave, but let’s face it, they gotta get that W.
Georgia Swarm 4-8 (10)
If the Swarm’s front-loaded schedule was flipped, how much different would their record look right now? They’re 4-1 over their last five. Lyle Thompson is producing many more points and far fewer turnovers during this successful stretch in comparison to his uncharacteristic start to the season. Rookie netminder Brett Dobson’s play during this drive has bumped his GAA (11.71) and SV% (76.1) stats to respectable levels too. While the playoffs still seem unlikely, Georgia is most definitely playing like they’re still in the mix.
New York Riptide 4-10 (11)
A first period pasting (7-1) against the Swarm was just too much for the Riptide to overcome, the team losing their tenth of the season courtesy of Saturday’s 13-8 loss at home. It was also another game where the Riptide relied heavily on Jeff Teat, who factored in on seven of eight New York goals (4G, 3A). An even more telling stat would be Saturday’s shots on goal numbers. Teat hit the net 22 times. The rest of the Riptide’s forwards? Just 21 total.
Las Vegas Desert Dogs 5-8 (13)
Vancouver Warriors 4-10 (14)
We’ve had Vancouver in the bottom two spots since Week 1, but with a massive 14-12 win over Colorado on Saturday, which took them to 3-1 over their past four, Vancouver most definitely deserves some love for this recent run. It would have been easy to pack it in after the way the season has gone, but the Warriors are playing easily their best ball of the year and look more motivated than ever.
Saskatchewan Rush 5-8 (12)
To look at their roster, the Rush are clearly better than where we have them ranked this week. To look at their recent results and the direction they’re headed in the standings, well, 14th feels kinda right. Since Week 13, here are how West Conference teams have done (W-L)…
San Diego 4-1
Calgary 3-1
Vancouver 3-1
Colorado 2-2
Panther City 2-2
Las Vegas 2-3
Saskatchewan 0-5
All of those five Rush losses were against teams in their own division, including this past weekend’s 14-6L to Calgary. After 13 games last year, the Rush were just one win worse (4-9) than this season’s record. A season ago, Saskatchewan went 4-1 during their final five games, which is what the team (at worst) will likely need this year to make the playoffs.
Albany FireWolves 2-11 (15)
The FireWolves gave the Rock fits late, mounting a fourth-quarter comeback that fell just short. He won’t garner much GOTY love, but Doug Jamieson has been Gee-Nash-with-the-New-York-Saints good for the FireWolves this winter. Albany’s rough record and his misleading stats obviously don’t do Doug any favours, but the often overworked backstop has been putting up quantity & quality stops during a difficult season for the 2-11 club. If Jamieson was playing for a contender (and they tried), he’d definitely be in that year-end award convo.