NLL Power Rankings: Already a Shakeup at No. 1

The entire National Lacrosse League has now played at least one game, with surprises already abound. An upset of the No. 1 team in the inaugural power rankings from last week resulted in a shakeup at the top.

1. San Diego Seals (1-0)

Chris Origlieri shut out the Roughnecks for the final 16:24 to backstop the Seals to a 12-9 victory. His performance helped the offense close on a 3-0 run, with Wes Berg putting San Diego ahead and Dane Dobbie closing the door with a pair. It was a celebratory night in Pechanga Arena, with a banner raising for Brodie Merrill setting the tone. Last week: 2

2. Toronto Rock (1-0)

Welcome to the GTA, Mark Matthews. The longtime Rush stalwart made his Rock debut following an offseason trade, notching four goals and an assist in an 11-7 win against Philadelphia. A six-goal second quarter helped Toronto pull ahead, with the team taking a five-goal lead twice in the second half. The defense held up in its first game without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Latrell Harris, even accounting for the team’s first two goals. Last week: 3

3. Halifax Thunderbirds (1-0)

The T-Birds had the week off after starting the season with a win against Saskatchewan. They next play Saturday at the New York Riptide. Last week: 4

4. Rochester Knighthawks (2-0)

The K-Hawks are developing an early reputation as comeback kids, erasing a second-half deficit for a second straight week. Rochester was down 9-7 in the early stages of the third quarter and down a goal twice in the fourth but fought back to best Saskatchewan 16-14 on the road. Kyle Waters notched the game-winner on the power play with 2:30 remaining, with Mitch Oglivie adding an insurance tally. With 11 points on the night, Connor Fields is again starting the season off hot. Last week: 6

5. Buffalo Bandits (0-1)

Bandits fans hope this is a bit of history repeating itself with a 17-13 loss to the FireWolves, as the team also suffered a surprising season-opening defeat to Albany last season before marching its way to its fifth NLL championship. The goals against number is a bad sign, and is perhaps not unexpected considering the team is without two of its regular defenders — Bryce Sweeting and Adam Bomberry — for a significant period. Last week: 1

6. Albany FireWolves (2-0)

The young guns of the capitol region are quickly rising the ranks, already one win away from matching last season’s total. Alex Simmons added an early gem to his Rookie of the Year case with an eight-point performance against the Bandits, with fellow first-year Tye Kurtz not far behind with five points. Ethan Walker, primed to take that next step, had seven points, tied with a now-healthy Travis Longboat. The FireWolves had the look of a team waiting for Dyson Williams heading into the year, but maybe they have something here. Last week: 11

7. Philadelphia Wings (1-1)

The Wings aren’t going to win many games when Joe Resetarits, Mitch Jones, Ben McIntosh and Blaze Riorden combine for three goals. Zach Higgins was additionally forced to make 40-plus saves for a second straight week, fueling some questions about the state of Philadelphia’s defense. Last week: 5

8. Georgia Swarm (1-0)

Lyle Thompson orchestrated a seven-point night, while Shayne Jackson and Andrew Kew were close behind with five each, as Georgia rolled to a 16-10 win against Colorado. The Swarm got out to an early 4-2 advantage in the first quarter and never trailed again. Despite higher point producers, Seth Oakes was named the team’s player of the game thanks to three goals, an assist and eight loose balls. Last week: 10

9. Panther City Lacrosse Club (1-1)

Panther City had a chance to run out the clock with under 15 seconds remaining up one, but an errant pass gave Las Vegas a final opportunity it took advantage of. The Desert Dogs got the equalizer with under a second left, then a heartbreaker in OT to down PCLC 11-10. Jonathan Donville had seven points to lead the squad. Last week: 7

10. Las Vegas Desert Dogs (1-1)

The Desert Dogs were in desperation mode when Sean Westley fired a shot with seconds remaining in regulation. Luckily for the visitors, the ball bounced through PCLC’s Nick Damude with just enough velocity to trickle past the line with time on the clock. Then, Zack Greer completed the comeback with a nifty move three minutes into the extra frame. Last week: 15

11. Colorado Mammoth (0-1)

The Mammoth activated Connor Kelly from the holdout list prior to the season opener, and he rewarded them with five points, but they did play without star goaltender Dillon Ward. Tyler Carlson started in his place, making 35 saves. Kelly was matched in production by Tyson Gibson and Eli McLaughlin. Last week: 9

12. Calgary Roughnecks (0-2)

The Roughnecks went up 6-3 on San Diego when Shane Simpson scored with 10:45 remaining in the third quarter, but the team was unable to hold on against one of the championship favorites. Jesse King had seven points, including helpers on back-to-back goals that helped Calgary tie the score at 9 heading into the final frame. Last week: 8

13. Vancouver Warriors (0-1)

The Warriors got a weekend to regroup following a season-opening defeat at the hands of Panther City. Vancouver returns Saturday when it hosts the Georgia Swarm. Last week: 12

13. New York Riptide (0-1)

The Riptide were off after falling to Philadelphia during opening weekend. They next play Saturday at home against the Thunderbirds. Last week: 13

15. Saskatchewan Rush (0-2)

Zach Manns notched a second straight game of six points — a mark he’d only hit once in a game while with Toronto — but in another Rush defeat. He accounted for the first of two go-ahead goals for Saskatchewan in the final quarter, but the offense went silent down the stretch. Last week: 14