NLL Power Rankings: Week 13
Every week during the 2021/22 National Lacrosse League season, The Lax Mag will publish updated NLL Power Rankings reflecting the previous week’s performances, as well as a team’s overall regular season rep, status and success rate.
Buffalo Bandits 8-1 (2)
Matt Vinc might have not been awarded an official game star (Dhane Smith, Josh Byrne and Ryan Smith were), but he’s 100% the reason the outshot (60 to 49) and even outhustled (68 to 60) were able to blow past the Knighthawks 14-8 last week. And while he might not have the O stats voters seem to feel are so significant for TPOTY recognition, Ian MacKay has clearly been one of this year’s top two-way talents. His under-the-radar performance against the Knighthawks was likely one of MacKay’s best games this year. He sits second behind only Steve Priolo in loosies (47) and caused turnovers (9), and is on pace to set single-season highs in both significant stat columns.
San Diego Seals 6-2 (1)
The Seals’ L against Albany was their first since December 3rd, and was one of those games were the team that won the majority of the various in-game battles (San Diego had more shots, more PP goals, more LBs, more CTOs, fewer TOs and fewer PIMs) still lost on the scoreboard (more on that here). With Cam Holding and Patrick Shoemay back, and hopefully Casey Jackson coming soon, it’s unlikely their second loss of the season will slow the Seals down even slightly.
Halifax Thunderbirds 7-1 (3)
A regular in our in-season NLL Top 30, and creeping closer to the Top 5 after another outstanding performance (updated NLL Player Rankings drop tomorrow), Warren Hill without question would be on every final-three ballot for best backstop this season, likely a lot of voters’ #1 too. With so much offensive depth, Halifax is proving a deadly difficult match up for defenses this year. Anyone on their offense can pop off on any given night. Stephen Keogh is their hot hand lately, netting another hatty in their W against Philly. In their eight games this year, the team has had seven different players lead or co-lead a game in goals: Rhys Duch, Clarke Petterson, Austin Shanks (x2), Chris Boushy, Cody Jamieson (x2), Kyle Jackson and now Keogh.
Colorado Mammoth 6-3 (5)
Even though the Mammoth were on the wrong side of last weekend’s OT result against the Rush, we’re bumping them up a spot almost entirely based on the absurd shot-stopping skills displayed by Dillon Ward. He’s that important & influential a player. Colorado got crushed in virtually every facet of that game (check for yourself) and the only reason why an opportunity in OT was even a possibility was because of Ward’s play between the pipes. It’s honestly maybe the single best game of any backstop this year. Matt Vinc has twice been an NLL MVP finalist (2014 & 2019), but if Ward keeps up his spectacular play all season long, he could very well be the first goalie to be voted the league’s most valuable since Steve Dietrich in 2006, the only goaltender to ever garner the year-end accolade.
Toronto Rock 6-4 (4)
In the first five minutes of their game against New York, it looked like the Rock were on their way to just absolutely ruining the Riptide. Then, well, the rest of the game happened. Although Toronto limited Jeff Teat & Co. to just 35 measly looks, the team still managed to lose 14-13, a result that looked unlikely based on their previous month plus. The last time Toronto lost a game while only allowing 35 shots or less? Rochester ripped just 32 shots on net against the Rock in a January 28th, 2017 game, but still managed to secure a 9-8 W.
Albany FireWolves 5-6 (8)
When Doug Jamieson is doing his thing, their defense keeps teams to less-than-ideal shooting spots, and a handful of their forwards are firing flames, there is no reason why Albany can’t’ be considered one of this year’s top teams. With that said, their record indicates otherwise. Stopping that losing streak with a huge win over San Diego could be a significant spark to swinging their season. Can they split or better over their next two bouts (hosting Bandits this weekend, in Halifax the next)?
Vancouver Warriors 5-4 (6)
Like the Rock, the Warriors limited their Week 12 opponent (Panther City) to just 35 shots, but let the result slip through their fingers (11-10L). Alex Buque was back, but struggled to regain his form after an illness sidelined him the previous week. Their offense was frustrated (until the fourth) by Nick Damude but still managed a late comeback ultimately cut short by Patrick Dodds. Their next four are against top teams: Halifax (Week 14), Toronto (Week 15), Colorado (Week 16) and San Diego (Week 17). Not easy. Will Steve Fryer get the start on Saturday? For those keeping count, we’re about a month into the anticipated eight weeks Mitch Jones will be MIA.
Philadelphia Wings 5-6 (7)
That suspected rough run we mentioned a few weeks ago has been, well, rough for the fading Philadelphia Wings, who’ve gone 0-3 against the Rock and Thunderbirds (x2) in recent weeks. If the playoffs started today, the Wings would be on the outside looking in (lose tiebreaker to the 5-6 FireWolves) in the East, but would sneak in via the new post-season crossover (more on that below, see Calgary). Will the addition of Brock Sorensen help turn things around? Wings GM & HC Paul Day recently told the Peterborough Examiner he expects Brock back in coming weeks. Most recently sidelined with a foot injury, Sorensen has not played an NLL game since April 26, 2019 with the Toronto Rock.
Georgia Swarm 4-6 (9)
We questioned last week what it would take for a team in the East to clinch a post-season spot. Either eight or more likely nine wins is looking likely. The Swarm, who are coming off a bye week as they prepare to host the near-them-in-the-standings Knighthawks on Friday, would need to go 5-3 the rest of the way. Rochester is in about the same spot. This Week 14 fight is easily the biggest game of Georgia’s season so far as five (New York would likely say six) teams in the East fight for the final two divisional playoff passes.
Saskatchewan Rush 3-6 (12)
Even though everyone seems to be in agreement that Adam Shute was far from the reason why the Rush were struggling this season, the life-saving lift that Eric Penney provided Saskatchewan this past Saturday was simply spectacular. Should we have been surprised? He did the same thing for the Wings during his solo start in Philadelphia this year. It looks like it’ll end up costing the Rush little for his 2022 services too. In their trade with the Wings, Derek Keenan got Penney plus a second-round pick in 2023. That second rounder (which is actually the Rush’s own pick lost in the McIntosh/Currier trade) could conceivably end up being higher than the 23rd overall (compensatory) pick in 2022 he sent the other way.
Calgary Roughnecks 3-5 (10)
While we’ve wondered if nine Ws could secure a post-season ticket in the East, in the West, as few as seven might get you in based on how things have played out. That means the Roughnecks could go 4-6 and still make the playoffs. Or will it? This year the top four teams in the East will automatically qualify, as will the top three in the West. That last playoff position will pit the East’s fifth place team and the West’s fourth of course. Calgary is in Cali this weekend for a tough test against the still division-leading Seals.
New York Riptide 2-7 (13)
In last week’s Clutch Kings, we pointed out that while Jeff Teat’s playmaking performance has been practically perfect, the rookie was really light on game-tying, go-ahead and game-winning goals. A few hours later, Teat touched up Toronto with a second quarter go-ahead (New York’s first lead of the game) and then that game winner with under two left on the clock. We get it, Teat is as clutch as they come, too! While their 2-7 record keeps them at the bottom of the East Division, New York’s performance this past weekend was post-season worthy.
Rochester Knighthawks 3-6 (11)
Their youth and inexperience is likely what made it difficult to keep competitive with the mighty Bandits in the second half of their 14-8L to the league’s top team, but does that youth ever look good at times too. The overall growth plus power-forward potential Ryan Smith continues to display is truly tremendous. As he struggled to discover his scoring touch in his first three games this year (only 3 goals), Smith has been a screaming success as of late (8 goals in last 3 games) and at times has taken a leading role on Rochester’s offense. For the most part this season, his shot to turnover ratio has been anything but rookie like.
Panther City Lacrosse Club 2-8 (14)
With a number of underdogs winning this past weekend, we didn’t end up pushing Panther City up after their thrilling victory over Vancouver. Jeremy Thompson had his best game for the club, ditto for Nick Damude and a number of others. “The character that our guys showed I am really proud of,” Head Coach Tracey Kelusky said in his post-game comments. “The resiliency. The things we talk about that – why we got the guys we have in our locker room – that came to fruition tonight. That is why we got through that. Through character and resiliency.” If you look at the standings you may think otherwise, but honestly, their expansion run has been extremely successful so far. The foundation they continue to build this winter will do wonders for their long-term success.