Just like that, no more undefeated teams. The Toronto Rock fell to Buffalo this week, so it’s time for a new team to take the spot. Deciding just who that team is certainly isn’t easy. New York has won two in a row, both against top half teams, and are climbing the ladder.
15 Vancouver Warriors (2-5)
Vancouver got beaten by Colorado this week, and it wasn’t pretty. Nobody can say it better than Head Coach and GM Curt Malawsky, and you can hear him here. Vancouver travels to Georgia this week.
14 Las Vegas Desert Dogs (2-4)
Vegas got a thorough pummeling from Panther City this week. Early in third quarter the score was 18-3. Vegas got some goals back in the second half but mostly because PCLC took their foot off the gas. They did not look like a team that beat San Diego. Vegas visits Albany this week.
13 Saskatchewan Rush (1-4)
The Rush were idle this week, they host Panther City this weekend.
12 Philadelphia Wings (2-4)
Philly almost mounted a big comeback but came up short and lost to San Diego, 12-11. They never had the lead in this one, trailing 5-1 after the 1st quarter. They scored the game’s last four goals, each by a different scorer, which tells you just how good the offense can be. But the defense came out of the gate slow, and that’s all it took. Philly hosts Halifax this Friday.
11 Calgary Roughnecks (2-3)
Calgary was idle this week, they host a hot Riptide team this weekend.
10 Colorado Mammoth (3-4)
The Mammoth beat up Vancouver this week and have now won back to back games. The offense is looking better, but really what stands out is Eli McLaughlin who is on a heater. Liger notched five and five against Vancouver, and had six points in each of Colorado’s games before this weekend. The Mammoth have a rematch with the Seals this weekend, this time in San Diego.
9 New York Riptide (3-4)
Two straight wins for New York, over two tough opponents in Buffalo and Georgia. The offense has looked very good in both games. Jeff Teat shook off a slow start to the year and is now pumping out points, and the acquisition of Stephen Keogh has been a big boost. Damon Edwards returned from Injured Reserve this week, which should help the defense, and Callum Jones impresses more every week. New York visits Calgary on Friday.
8 Panther City Lacrosse Club (3-3)
PCLC walloped Vegas in as one sided a game as you’ll see. Callum Crawford was chasing history for a while. He registered his 15th point of the game just a few minutes into the third quarter. The single game record is 17. But with the score at 18-3, Crawford got most of the rest of the night off. Panther City has won two games in a row, and played close battles with some of the league’s best. They are pushing to be a playoff team. They visit Saskatchewan this weekend.
7 Georgia Swarm (4-4)
Georgia fell to the Riptide on Long Island. After winning three straight, the Swarm have now lost three straight and right at .500. The offense has gone cold for the Swarm. In that winning streak, they averaged 12 goals per game. In the losses, nine goals per game. Shayne Jackson hasn’t had a goal in their last three games, if he can get back to his scoring ways, the Swarm will be back on track. They host Vancouver this weekend.
6 Rochester Knighthawks (3-3)
Rochester also finds themselves on a three game losing streak. The Hawks offense was shut down this week by Halifax, although they’ve still been plenty productive on the season. The only team this year that didn’t score 13+ goals against Rochester was Vancouver. The Hawks can score with anyone, they’re an offensive powerhouse, but trying to win a shootout every weekend is a dangerous game. They’re at Buffalo this weekend.
5 Halifax Thunderbirds (3-3)
The Birds snapped a losing streak in a game they just had to have. The defense was excellent, as they held the potent Knighthawk group of Ryan Smith, Thomas McConvey, and Ryan Lanchbury to two goals and one assist combined. When the defense plays that well, the offense feels way less pressure. Ryan Benesch looked like a man who was not going to let his team lose in this one, whatever it took, and he netted five goals. Halifax travels to Philly this weekend.
4 San Diego Seals (5-2)
This may be a bit low, but I really am not sure who San Diego is. Are they the team that doubled up Albany 14-7? Are they the team that lost to Vegas 10-8? Are they the team that beat Rochester 17-14? Or the team that nearly gave a lead away to Philly in the 4th quarter? San Diego has everything a team needs for a title run, but consistency is key. Losing a playoff game with an off day means you’re summer starts early. San Diego hosts Colorado this weekend.
3 Toronto Rock (5-1)
Nobody goes undefeated so it had to happen sooner or later. Toronto has now lost seven of their last eight meetings with Buffalo. I think as of today I’d still make The Rock my favorite to get to the finals and win it all. They’re just too complete, play too well, and are so good on defense and in goal.
2 Albany Firewolves (6-1)
If Albany had played and won this week, they’d be number one for me. But off a loss and having a bye, you can’t climb into number one. Albany idle this week but returns to action at Las Vegas on Saturday.
1 Buffalo Bandits (4-3)
It was tough to settle on Buffalo at the top. And this will be controversial perhaps, I don't think too many others have Buffalo at one. To me, you beat the top team and you get first consideration at taking their spot. Buffalo made a major statement in this one, they were up big and Toronto added some late goals to make the score a bit more respectable, but Buffalo was cooking in this one. And as I’ve said since week one, I’ll never worry about the Bandits.
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