Monday, February 06, 2012

NLL Game Balls and Power Poll Week 5

After five weeks, we know Colorado has established themselves as the elite team in the National Lacrosse League. After that, the other eight teams are hovering around .500. What teams are primed for a run over the next few weeks? That is hard to tell. Toronto has played better, but has some key injuries. Washington got their first win, but will that propel them into a win streak? Rochester snapped a losing steak and Calgary had the weekend off and their matchup with Washington this weekend is crucial for both teams.

GAME BALLS

Matt Roik, Toronto: Roik has 38 saves and allowed only six goals vs. Philadelphia. He shut out the Wings in the second half and only allowed two goals in the second quarter.

Rhys Duch, Washington: Duch was clutch scoring the game winner in OT in Buffalo. He finished with four goals and four assists.

Cory Vitarelli, Rochester: Vitarelli had two fourth quarter power play goals, both of which put the Knighthawks ahead with his final one being the game winner. He finished with four goals and three assists.

John Grant, Jr., Colorado:
Junior continues to be on a record scoring streak with another eight points this weekend. He finished with three goals and five assists along with five loose balls.

POWER POLL

1- Colorado Mammoth 5-0 (Last week 1). Colorado is off to their best start in franchise history. John Grant, Jr. continues to put tons of points on the scoreboard and the rookies are playing like seasoned veterans. Jordan McBride and Adam Jones each had hat tricks.

2- Toronto Rock 3-2 (2). Toronto is averaging 14 goals game over their three-game win streak. An impressive stat considering Toronto is missing Colin Doyle (lower body injury) and Blaine Manning (broken collarbone). The Rock defense looked solid shutting out the Wings in the second half over the weekend.

3- Calgary Roughnecks 2-2 (4). Calgary was idle this week and looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

4- Rochester Knighthawks 2-3 (8). The Khawks snapped their losing streak with a solid home win over Minnesota. Their three loses have been 4th quarter breakdowns so if they can clean that up, they will stay in the top half of the league.

5- Washington Stealth 1-3 (9). Washington finally got in the win column picking up the victory on the road in Buffalo, possibly the toughest barn to play in. They got balanced scoring this weekend and a road win against the Bandits may be what they need to get started this season.

6- Buffalo Bandits 2-3 (7). Buffalo has dropped three games in a row. The Bandits have been slow out of the gate the last few games and have been playing from behind. Mark Steenhuis leads the Bandits in penalty minutes with 26 and has two game misconducts. They need the goal scoring Steenhuis to make a comeback.

7- Edmonton Rush 1-2 (6). The Rush ran into the hottest team in the league in Colorado this weekend and both losses are to the Mammoth. Still not sure what to make of them yet.

8- Minnesota Swarm 1-2 (5). Minnesota played well on the road in Rochester, falling by two goals. It does look like the Swarm has an emerging star in Jordan MacIntosh who posted his first career hat trick in the same town he played his college ball.

9- Philadelphia Wings 2-2 (3). The Wings got hammered by Toronto 15-6. Ouch. They have looked solid in their two wins, but down right awful in their two losses. They have lost by a combined 19 goals and have only scored 41 goals this season. This is a team desperate for an identity.

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