NLL Power Rankings: Week 7
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 4-0 (1)
They’re getting offensive production from everywhere. Nine different scorers stamped their name on last week’s scoresheet, a 12-10 win over Georgia. Buffalo’s defense kept Lyle Thompson to just seven shots (by far the lowest looks he’s had all season) and didn’t allow a single power-play goal either. From top to bottom, they’ve got the scariest squad in the league right now.
Halifax Thunderbirds 3-0 (2)
Even with over a month off, the Thunderbirds looked sharp, motivated and as clutch as they’d been before a series of byes, breaks and postponements. It was Austin Shanks’ turn to go off, his 5-goal effort as electric as the one Clarke Petterson put down the last time Halifax competed. Warren Hill has been incredible over three games. If he keeps this up, forget just GOTY consideration, he’s an MVP maybe too. See where he ranks in our Week 7 NLL Player Rankings tomorrow. See our first edition here.
San Diego Seals 4-1 (3)
With what seemed like almost half their roster sidelined (injuries & protocol), the San Diego Seals pulled off one of the most memorable regular season victories we’ve seen in several years, maybe longer. That W in Saskatoon was about as gritty, determined and as defiant an effort Pat Merrill could have asked for from this group. Filled with inspirational performances from several, including 20-year-old stopper Justin Geddie, who said, “They gave me a shot and I just wanted to come out and play a good game.” Good? Kid, you were outstanding. Geddie had been playing in the Arena Lacrosse League’s West Division for the Black Fish Lacrosse Club before last week’s call-up to the big leagues.
Toronto Rock 2-3 (5)
Their record is under .500, but their effort against Halifax on Saturday night was anything but below average. Unlike the Rock’s other losses this year (against the top two teams here) Toronto pushed the pace, battled for four full quarters and looked maybe the best they have offensively (without Rob Hellyer, and others) all year (we see you Zach Manns). An upcoming bye week should let their roughed-up roster rest, repair and return. Both Reid Reinholdt’s & Brandon Slade’s stays on the IR are not anticipated to be long ones, ditto for Latrell Harris’ placement in protocol.
Colorado Mammoth 3-1 (6)
The Woolies are hibernating for another week, although the team might still be buzzing about that absurd comeback against Vancouver back on January 7th. They got all their previously placed players out of protocol last week. Fingers crossed no more end up there leading into their important Week 9 rematch against the Warriors.
Albany FireWolves 2-2 (9)
With Adam Bomberry & Brett Manney back in the lineup for Week 6, plus Greg Downing out of protocol and on the floor this past weekend, Albany’s defense looked maybe even more dominant than they did a season ago. Against the Wings on Saturday afternoon, they limited quality looks, caused 17 turnovers (to Philadelphia’s 11), Joe Nardella outdueled Trevor Baptiste at the dot (14/21), and their potent press generated opportunity all game. The addition of Ryan Benesch has forced teams to play Albany differently, which allows for players like Joe Resetarits to pop off like he did against Philly (3G, 3A).
Philadelphia Wings 3-2 (4)
A lackluster first half (took almost 19 minutes to get their first goal on the board) proved too much for the Wings to overcome, as their offense struggled to find much success against Albany’s impressive defense and solid stopping courtesy of Doug Jamieson. Corey Small, who sparked a comeback with a second-half hatty, said postgame, “Offensively, I think we really underachieved…Going into next weekend, we’ve got two big eastern conference games.” The Wings have a Week 8 double on deck against a really rested Rochester group and definitely desperate New York side in need of their first W.
Vancouver Warriors 2-2 (7)
When talking to others around the league, the Warriors still don’t seem to be getting a ton of respect for their solid start (2-0) to the season. While their last two games were both losses, the vibe in Vancouver, certainly seems more positive than other recent previous campaigns. Although the Warriors have had issues with key players placed in protocol, you’d hope that by the time they play again on January 29th (vs. Mammoth), the anticipated returns of Keegan Bal, Justin Salt and the already protocol-sprung Owen Barker will help get them back in the W column.
Rochester Knighthawks 2-1 (8)
Sticking the Knighthawks ninth is most definitely an unintended diss, but with so much happening since the last time they actually played (December 18th) it’s also difficult to determine where they should place presently. Well, a double-header this weekend against first Georgia and then Philadelphia should give us a pretty good idea of where they’re at. A W against the Wings would be Rochester’s first against a team above .500 this year.
Georgia Swarm 1-3 (12)
It’s performances like we saw from youngsters Thomas Semple, Tanner Buck and especially Kason Tarbell vs. Buffalo last week that should excite Swarm supporters about Georgia’s coming-soon seasons. We moved them up after their Week 7 loss because the roster showed resilience, determination and perseverance against the top team in the NLL. A stronger showing by their special teams (although that Lyle Thompson shorty was certainly special) and Georgia could have most definitely been the first team to bump the Bandits in 2022. Every game they’ve looked more cohesive, composed and confident.
Calgary Roughnecks 1-2 (11)
We touched on it in our roster analysis, when we highlighted the recent rebound of Albertans on NLL rosters. Last week, CalgaryRoughnecks.com featured Rigger rookie, Harrison Matsuoka, who comes from Calgary and played collegiately at Stony Brook. He also spent his entire Junior ‘A’ career playing for the Okotoks Raiders. “Throughout my five years we won four Alberta championships and were able to go to the Minto Cup my final three years of junior,” he said. “It was great to be a part of a couple of teams that showed that Alberta has what it takes to compete with teams from B.C. and Ontario.” Stay tuned for more on this topic in the upcoming next issue of The Lax Mag. Here’s our first issue for all our new followers that mighta missed it.
Saskatchewan Rush 1-4 (10)
After yet another loss, the deflated Rush were not making excuses. Vet defender Ryan Dilks said,” Right now, we’re one of the worst teams in the league.” The Rush leader was very blunt in his review of their loss to a severely sidelined San Diego side, saying, “I’m at a loss for words right now…This is a tough situation we’re in. We should have a veteran group. We have a lot of guys that have been in this league a long time. I don’t know what the answer is…I think we need to find an identity…It should not have been a close game. All credit to them…but at home, in front of this crowed, it’s just unacceptable.”
Panther City Lacrosse Club 1-4 (14)
Panther City turned promise, passion and persistence into a huge first-ever win for the franchise when they edged the New York Riptide 13-12 on Saturday. While the Seals have been hogging the headlines for their heroic Week 7 W with so many players sidelined in protocol, PCLC was in the same situation. The team announced that six of their top players (Phil Caputo, Nick Damude, Chad Cummings, Liam Patten, Connor Sellers and Matt Hossack) were all placed in protocol. Didn’t seem to matter. Prior to their victory, Head Coach Tracey Kelusky had stated, “We are going to punch back. I can promise that.” This past Saturday, Patrick Dodds, Kevin Orleman, Taite Cattoni and many others executed TK’s KO guarantee.
New York Riptide 0-4 (13)
With all the off-season(s) tinkering, it seemed the Riptide would unquestionably be a better team in 2022. While we still have a long way to go and a roster that on paper still seems so much stronger, so far the results have been largely identical to their expansion run. Their games have been close and there are positive performances from many, but the Riptide need results in Year 2, especially with the significant additions the team made.