Seals Return to Top Spot in NLL Power Rankings

As stockings hung above fireplaces across the world during the week of Christmas, other socks hit the turf in Buffalo and Calgary.

Buffalo Bandit Josh Byrne and Calgary Roughneck Dane Dobbie each notched first-half sock tricks — representing six goals — in their teams’ respective victories during Week 5 of the National Lacrosse League season, helping power the squads to pivotal interdivisional victories.

The results have San Diego reclaiming its spot atop the power rankings and thrust Buffalo into the top three.

1. SAN DIEGO SEALS (3-0)

Calgary’s Tyler Pace referred to the Riggers’ upcoming opponent as the “San Diego Roughnecks” in a postgame interview last week, a statement that proved prophetic. The offensive trio that departed Cowtown for California led the way for the Seals in a 17-14 victory. Dobbie added three assists to his six goals, Curtis Dickson had eight points in his first game against his old squad and Wesley Berg added seven points with six helpers. Last week: 2

2. ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS (3-0)

The Knighthawks had the week off and will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday when they host Panther City. Last week: 3

3. BUFFALO BANDITS (2-1)

Byrne finished with 12 points on seven goals and five assists, and Dhane Smith was close behind him with 10 points, as Buffalo showed it still has firepower even with Chris Cloutier placed on injured reserve this week. The team’s Week 1 loss to Albany is starting to look like a blip on the radar. Last week: 5

4. HALIFAX THUNDERBIRDS (2-1)

The T-Birds always had an answer for the Bandits in the first half, scoring twice in the final minute to force a tie at 8, but had to dig themselves out of a hole after Buffalo opened the third quarter on a five-goal run. Halifax never cut the deficit under two the rest of the way, allowing the Bandits to slide into a tie for second in the East. Last week: 1

5. SASKATCHEWAN RUSH (2-1)

Panther City was pesky, cutting the deficit to one twice in the final 17 minutes of play, but a Mike Messenger power play goal with 44 seconds remaining helped the Rush secure an 11-9 win. Mark Matthews and Robert Church each accumulated six points in the New Year’s Day showdown. Last week: 4

6. COLORADO MAMMOTH (1-1)

The Colorado Mammoth had the week off leading up to a major battle with Calgary on Saturday. The matchup should serve as a solid measuring stick of where the two West hopefuls stand early in the year. Last week: 6

7. ALBANY FIREWOLVES (1-1)

The FireWolves had the week off and return Saturday at Halifax. Last week: 7

8. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS (2-1)

The Roughnecks put together a mini comeback to make the score look less one-sided after trailing 15-5 in the closing stages of the third quarter. Time was never on the team’s side, even after a game-ending five-goal streak. The book isn’t written on Calgary yet, which is yet to get a victory against anyone but the lowly Warriors. Last week: 8

9. TORONTO ROCK (1-2)

The Rock had the week off and return Saturday at New York. Last week: 9

10. PHILADELPHIA WINGS (1-1)

The Wings had the week off and return Friday with their first game ever at Las Vegas. Last week: 10

11. PANTHER CITY LACROSSE CLUB (2-2)

While PCLC was defeated by Saskatchewan, the team did produce the game’s greatest highlight when Nick Damude made a spectacular diving save off a rebound shot by Dan Lintner. Last week: 11

12. NEW YORK RIPTIDE (0-2)

The Riptide had the week off and return Saturday when they host Toronto. New York is set to get an offensive boost with Tyler Digby returning from the Hold Out List. Last week: 12

13. GEORGIA SWARM (0-2)

The Swarm had the week off and return Saturday when they host Buffalo. Last week: 13

14. LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS (0-2)

The Desert Dogs will play their second game in Las Vegas Friday night against the Wings. Their last outing against Panther City set a new NLL record for viewership on an ESPN platform with 102,000 average viewers. Last week: 14

15. VANCOUVER WARRIORS (0-2)

The Warriors are turning to youth between the pipes, announcing this week they released veteran goalie Steve Fryer. That leaves Vancouver with 24-year-old Ethan Woods and 21-year-old Aden Walsh on the roster. The squad returns Saturday when it travels to San Diego. Last week: 15