NLL Power Rankings: Bandits, Seals Lock Up Top Playoff Seeds

The top of the National Lacrosse League playoff field is set, but intrigue remains as the league approaches Week 22.

Buffalo and San Diego locked up their respective conference’s No. 1 seeds last weekend, while Georgia and Halifax’s results set up a de facto playoff game on the final day of the regular season. The winner of the Thunderbirds-Swarm matchup Saturday will advance to the postseason, while the loser will turn its attention to offseason tinkering.

1. BUFFALO BANDITS (13-4)

Two games after suffering a frightening 18-7 loss to the Rock, Buffalo struck back in a battle for the top seed. The Bandits scored three straight in the fourth quarter, then shut the door in the final 3:30 after Corey Small got Toronto within one for an 11-10 victory. Chase Fraser scored one of the best goals you’ll see all year, as Buffalo claimed the top seed for the second time in three years. Last week: 2

2. SAN DIEGO SEALS (13-4)

The Seals scored their most lopsided win of the season to secure the West title, orchestrating a tremendous defensive effort in a 14-4 result against Las Vegas. San Diego scored nine straight in a period stretching from the second quarter into the third. Wesley Berg recorded five of his seven points in that stretch, becoming the first Seals player to reach 100 points. Last week: 3

3. TORONTO ROCK (13-5)

A win was within Toronto’s grasp, as the Rock led 5-3 early in the third quarter and 9-8 with under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth. But the Rock must settle for the No. 2 seed in the East. They’ll host either Halifax or Rochester depending on Week 22’s results.  Last week: 1

4. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (13-5)

The Riggers triumphed in a potential first-round playoff preview with Panther City, erasing a three-goal halftime deficit for a 13-12 victory. A 4-2 run in the fourth quarter helped solidify the comeback effort, as Calgary set a new franchise record for wins in a season. Jesse King and Josh Currier each notched six points. Last week: 4

5. PANTHER CITY LACROSSE CLUB (10-8)

Will Malcom recorded four points against Calgary, pushing his season total to 96 and goal total to 35 to set new franchise records. Rookie Jonathan Donville also became the second player in PCLC history to surpass 90 points in a season. With its regular season complete, Panther City turns its attention to a matchup with either San Diego or Calgary. Last week: 6

6.  COLORADO MAMMOTH (9-8)                            

Eli McLaughlin scored the final three goals of regulation to force overtime with Saskatchewan, but Robert Church sealed a Rush victory a minute and a half into the extra frame. The Mammoth remain in control of their own playoff destiny, however. A win next week against San Diego would move the team from the No. 4 seed into No. 3. Last week: 5

7. ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS (10-7)

The K-Hawks secured their first playoff appearance in this iteration of the franchise despite some struggles down the stretch during the regular season, ending Georgia’s hot run with a 12-10 win. Rochester, which had lost four straight going into the matchup, had the opportunity to clinch with a win in each of its last three games. Five points from Connor Fields helped them finally do it. Last week: 9

8. HALIFAX THUNDERBIRDS (9-8)

The T-Birds kept their playoff hopes alive in smooth fashion, smothering New York 15-6. Halifax went up 10-3 at the half, cruising to victory backed by eight points from Austin Shanks and six from Randy Staats. Impressively, the defense held Riptide superstar Jeff Teat without a goal. The Thunderbirds will need a road triumph next week to keep their season going. Last week: 8

9. GEORGIA SWARM (8-9)

The Swarm’s six-game win streak was snapped, setting up the winner-take-all matchup with Halifax. Georgia dug out of a three-goal hole to take a two-goal advantage in the second half but was outscored by Rochester 6-2 the rest of the way. Last week: 7

10. PHILADELPHIA WINGS (8-9)

The Wings got an overtime stinger to the top corner from Ben McIntosh to beat the FireWolves 10-9 on Sunday, but not before Philadelphia was already eliminated from playoff contention thanks to wins from Rochester and Halifax. Joe Resetarits became the first American player to record three 100-point seasons. Last week: 10

11. SASKATCHEWAN RUSH (7-10)

Laine Hruska became the first Saskatchewan-born goaltender to start a game for the Rush, and the first to earn a win, in his team’s win against Colorado. Hruska, the highest-drafted player ever out of the province, made 36 saves. Last week: 11

12. LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS (5-12)

The Desert Dogs have hit an offensive lull, scoring in single digits in three of their last four games. Las Vegas’ four goals against San Diego was its lowest of the season since a 9-3 loss to Panther City on Dec. 16. Last week: 12

13. NEW YORK RIPTIDE (4-13)

Jeff Teat is in two battles with Dhane Smith. Both players enter the final week of the regular season at 126 points, while Teat is simultaneously trying to break Smith’s single-season points record. It will take a major effort in the finale to do so, as the record is 137. Last week: 13

14. VANCOUVER WARRIORS (4-13)

The Warriors had the weekend off and close out their season on Saturday when they host the Riptide. Last week: 14

15. ALBANY FIREWOLVES (3-14)

The FireWolves fell just short of earning their first home win of the season, despite leading entering the final two minutes of regulation against Philadelphia. They’ll have one final opportunity to give the Albany faithful something to cheer about on Saturday when they play top-seeded Buffalo. Last week: 15