NLL Power Rankings: Week 15
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 10-1 (1)
Matt Vinc with another 50-save performance (his league-leading third of the season), Steve Priolo & Co. causing 10+ turnovers, again, and an absurd offense that showed no mercy on fast-fading Philly, who the Buffalo Bandits mauled 17-5 on Saturday night in Banditland.
San Diego Seals 8-2 (2)
While his performance was not deemed three-star worthy on the day, Frank Scigliano almost shutting out the Rush in the second half (1 goal allowed on 24 second-half shots) was critical to the Seal’s comeback victory over the really reeling Rush. Jeremy Noble’s last-second stunner is easily one of this year’s most memorable moments too.
Toronto Rock 8-4 (5)
Nick Rose’s five against matched a career best. His early stops allowed the Rock to reset and eventually roll over the Warriors, 14-5. Although Dan Dawson was sidelined last second, the Rock fully fit are easily one of the fiercest teams today.
Halifax Thunderbirds 8-3 (3)
Had they won their double-header weekend, the Thunderbirds would be tied with the Bandits for first. Instead, Halifax finds themselves with Toronto hot on their heels in the East after dropping a double to a very-able Albany and a suddenly-surging Swarm side. A home-and-home with Buffalo at the end of the month might be the most highly anticipated mini-series anywhere in the NLL this season.
Albany FireWolves 6-7 (6)
After dropping Halifax on Friday, Albany is now 2-0 against the Thunderbirds, has a W against the West-leading Seals, and gave the Bandits all they could handle earlier this month. With Doug Jamieson at his best, their defense relatively healthy (and playing really well right now), and Joey Resetarits in MVP mode, the FireWolves are without a doubt a Cup-contending squad.
Colorado Mammoth 6-4 (4)
A rare off night for Dillon Ward against a massively motivated Panther City led to the Mammoth’s most messy L of the 2022 season. The good news: their offense, which was averaging just 9 goals/game over their previous three, bumped up their finishing to 14 and kept things somewhat interesting before the game fully escaped Colorado in the fourth quarter. They’ve got two critical clashes this weekend: vs. Vancouver on Friday and at San Diego on Saturday.
Georgia Swarm 6-6 (7)
They deserve to be pushed up after a heroic performance against Halifax, but the Swarm still sit at seven after the leaders didn’t leave much room for maneuvering. While Lyle Thopmson & Shayne Jackson continue to glow on the game sheet, the mature & meaningful play from their first-year finds – the expected (Ethan Walker) and unexpected (Connor Kirst) - has been one of this year’s more noteworthy NLL regular-season storylines.
Panther City Lacrosse Club (13)
Their jump from 13 to 8 has been one of this year’s biggest, but based on their past month or more, Panther City most definitely deserves praise for their recent play. They are one of the hottest teams in the league, Patricks Dodds, Will Malcom and most of their lively lineup playing as good as rosters with far bigger reps. He’s only played four, but how fire has Dean Fairall been? Don’t stop dreaming, Dean, you deserve it.
Vancouver Warriors 5-6 (8)
They looked competitive early against the Rock, but the Warriors were mostly overmatched by a Toronto team who didn’t let their cross-country travel tire them in the least. Some power-play chances in the fourth let Vancouver avoid all-time low levels, but with just two even-strength goals over 60, the Warriors were never really in it.
Philadelphia Wings 5-7 (9)
The Wings went from post-season probablies to hitting a four-game losing streak that has, at least presently, erased them from the immediate playoff picture (Albany would take the wild card right now). Their offense is averaging just 7 goals/game since February 1st, Philly’s feeble five against Buffalo last week their lowest offensive output since reforming the franchise for 2019.
New York Riptide 3-8 (11)
The nine wins they’ll likely need for the playoffs still seems like a stretch (would need to go 6-1 the rest of the way), but don’t tell the Riptide locker room that, because watching New York play like post-season maybes has been fun AF to watch in recent weeks. Jeff Teat is still playing like an MVP, their defense continues to evolve into a cohesive crew (plus, just added Brent Noseworthy’s two-way talents), and Steve Orleman had another high-save outing in their relatively neat & tidy win over the Rochester Knighthawks.
Saskatchewan Rush 3-8 (11)
Teams we talked to last week said they were waiting for Friday’s results in San Diego before attempting to pry away any of the Rush’s reliable UFA resources. They may not all get dealt, but it would be shocking not to see some Saskatchewan stalwarts in a different sweater by 12:01 ET tomorrow.
Rochester Knighthawks 3-8 (10)
With Shawn Evans swapped, starter Rylan Hartley sidelined (IR) and Cory Highfield the same (IR after a nasty looking ankle sprain the week earlier), the Rochester roster has taken some hits no doubt (heck, they have all year). A lot of their emerging talent will likely see bigger minutes in the second half of their season. They’ve far from given up, but a ticket to the 2023 playoffs seems a lot more likely than crashing the 2022 post-season party.
Calgary Roughnecks 3-6 (12)
With Panther City & New York collecting Ws, the Roughnecks get bumped to the bottom after yet another bye week. Of all the teams trying to land a lower post-season spot, Calgary has by far the most room to rally. The Roughnecks host their basement buddies, Saskatchewan (rare Thursday affair) & Panther City (Saturday), this week. A 2-0-win tally could catapult them back into West contention.