NLL Insider - February 7th, 2010 by Brian Shanahan
Well after 5 weeks of lacrosse it has become abundantly clear that we have three levels of teams in the NLL this season. Argue all you want about the particular order of teams within each group but I dare you to argue about a team’s inclusion in that group.
For example let’s start with the Elite of the NLL, Washington, Toronto and Orlando. Washington is undefeated after 6. Toronto has been near perfect and although I’d still like to see more games under the Titan’s belt but their 12-5 victory this weekend is further proof they belong with the top teams. The middle group contains 4 teams that are good enough to beat anyone but have not consistently asserted themselves this year. This group contains Rochester, Boston and the two Alberta teams Edmonton and Calgary. And of course that leaves us with the cellar dwellers: Philly, Buffalo, Colorado and Minnesota. Yes Mammoth lovers I’m sorry to say that your team is among this group. I think we all know who’s at the top of the Power Rankings this week. Let’s see who is at the bottom.
1 (1) |
Washington Stealth
6-0
The Stealth keep rolling along,this week defeating Minnesota 12-9 at home. They’ll meet the Swarm in Minnesota next week. |
2(2) |
Toronto Rock
5-1
I guess the loss in Rochester was a blip. Perfect weekend with a blowout at home and a close one in Buffalo. Steve “Chugger” Dietrich looked good in his first start for Toronto against the Bandits. |
3(3) |
Orlando Titans
3-1
Totally stifled the Mammoth in Colorado.Have held teams to 8 goals or less in three of four games. |
4(5) |
Edmonton Rush
3-2
Losers in the latest battle of Alberta. The Rush play Toronto in their next two games and will need at least a split to keep their momentum. |
5(8) |
Boston Blazers
3-3
Biggest jump of the week. The Blazers defeated Rochester 14-8 at home for their third straight victory after a horrible (0-3) start to the season. |
6 (6) |
Calgary Roughnecks
2-3
Convincing 13-8 victory over Edmonton in critical game. Although Roughnecks have a worse record than Rochester Calgary has been much more consistent and really hasn’t played a “bad” game. |
7(5) |
Rochester Knighthawks
3-3
Other than their victory over Toronto, Rochester has not looked good since opening weekend. Next week they get another chance at Boston. |
8(9) |
Philadelphia Wings
1-4
Don’t think of it as the Wings moving up. Think of it as the Mammoth moving down. Philly was sloppy and undisciplined against Toronto in 19-11 loss. |
9(11) |
Minnesota Swarm
1-4
The Swarm moved up after a loss for the same reason the Wings did. Will host the Stealth next weekend. |
10(7) |
Colorado Mammoth
2-4
Feeble effort at home losing 12-5 to Orlando. Two overtime victories in first six games. The Mammoth are in trouble. |
11(10) |
Buffalo Bandits
1-5
Played a decent game against Toronto (who had played night before) but worst record in the NLL dictates this spot. |
A longtime TV analyst for Rogers Sportsnet, Shanny won five Mann Cups as a player and is the voice of boxla in Canada. Email him at brian.shanahan@nllinsider.com or go to ShannyLacrosse.com.
