The Seals have now won back-to-back games against two talented teams, while in must-win mode. After Wes Berg’s game-tying goal with 50 seconds left was disallowed, it’s almost unthinkable that the Seals walked out of KeyBank Center with a win. But Zach Currier zipped a rocket into the top right corner with five seconds left and Berg clinched the win with a leaping dunk off a feed from Tre Leclaire in overtime. The most important revelation from San Diego on their short two-game win streak is that the Seals have found an identity: the Wes Berg Show. Feed Coquitlam’s finest the ball and good things happen. Berg has scored nine goals in the team’s last two games, including game winners in back-to-back ballgames. It’s far from a perfect formula for Patrick Merrill’s group, but it’s an identity. Also, Chris Origlieri was the best he’s been all season against Buffalo. They’ll need Origlieri and Berg to be electric once again this upcoming weekend when the Bandits visit Pechanga Arena, one of the toughest environments for road teams in the NLL. Two years ago, in their last visit, the Bandits snuck out of Pechanga with an overtime win when Steve Priolo beat Chris Origlieri to end a pitcher’s duel in overtime. Round two of Bandits/Seals has all the makings of another instant classic. Saturday, 10PM ET on ESPNU, ESPN+, and TSN+.
The Ottawa Black Bears, who had averaged seven goals per game in their last three outings, turned on the offense Saturday night against a struggling Albany team. They popped off for nine goals in the first quarter and 18 overall. Jeff Teat’s recent struggles evaporated in an instant with six goals (five in the first quarter including a natural hat trick in 1:28) and nine points. Zach Higgins is still the league’s frontrunner for Goaltender of the Year. If he is as electric as he’s been most of the year and Teat continues to play like the league’s leader in goals each of the last two seasons, stay away from Ottawa. No one knows what to make of the Black Bears, but they have all the tools to ruin your night and your season. Up next for Ottawa is a visit from Halifax on Friday in a matchup of top eight teams. It’s a big-time opportunity looming for the Black Bears.NLL Friday Night on TSN, 7:30PM ET, ESPN+, TSN+
Halifax, Nova Scotia – Feb 15: National Lacrosse League game between the Halifax Thunderbirds and Philadelphia Wings on February 15 2025 at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Thunderbirds)
Look at the Birds go! They’ve won five of six since starting 0-3 and clinched a sweep of the Philadelphia Wings over the weekend. We were curious to see what Halifax’s effort would look like against the Wings in back-to-back weeks, but Mike Accursi’s team absolutely passed the test. It was a closely contested game, but the Thunderbirds ultimately pulled away to snare a 13-10 win at The Nest. Most notably, Halifax’s defense looks to be rock solid, limiting a potent Wings offense to just 10 goals. Randy Staats has sneakily been the best passer in the league this year, orchestrating the Thunderbirds’ offense. Clarke Petterson potted three goals, as did the perennially underrated Thomas Hoggarth. Halifax offers a muddy picture, but right now they are playing excellent lacrosse. I wouldn’t want to play the Thunderbirds right now, but that’s the task that the surging Black Bears face this week when Halifax comes to town on Friday. NLL Friday Night on TSN, 7:30PM ET, ESPN+, TSN+
5) Georgia Swarm (5-4)
Week12 Results: Idle Week 13 Opponent: vs Toronto (3-7) Previous Ranking: 5th
There is no reason to penalize the Swarm for sitting at home and watching games like the rest of us. Georgia is still the league’s most enigmatic team, but momentum is fleeting in the NLL, and the Swarm seem to have broken their negative aura. Miles Thompson’s return to the lineup is massive for a multitude of reasons. He’s a tremendous playmaker and takes pressure off the right-left duo of his brother Lyle Thompson and Andrew Kew. Toron Eccleston has been a revelation recently, which has encouraged Ed Comeau. We will immediately find out how serious the Swarm are about making a playoff run when they travel to Toronto this weekend to face a Rock team that is playing angry and desperate after an 0-5 start.
CALGARY, AB – FEBRUARY 16, 2025: The Calgary Roughnecks against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday. (Photo by Jenn Pierce/NLL)
4) Calgary Roughnecks (6-4)
Week12 Results: Lost to Saskatchewan 16-13, Beat Las Vegas 21-8 Week 13 Opponent: vs Rochester (4-7) Previous Ranking: 4th
The Roughnecks split their weekend doubleheader at home. Their effort on Friday night in the Battle of the Prairies was solid, but ultimately the Rush were the better team. Sunday against Las Vegas, however, was a loud statement. The Roughnecks slammed the gas pedal to the floor and never let up, pumping in 21 goals, led by Dane Dobbie’s second sock trick of the season. The Roughnecks are rounding into form nicely on offense, while Josh Sanderson continues to be one of the leading candidates for NLL Coach of the Year. Calgary is over-achieving, but there is nothing to suggest that the Roughnecks can’t keep it going. Up next for the Roughnecks is a home game against the Rochester Knighthawks, who are desperate, but dangerous.
3) Colorado Mammoth (6-4)
Week12 Results: Idle Week 13 Opponent: vs Las Vegas (2-8) Previous Ranking: 3rd
The Mammoth were idle over the weekend and receive the benefit of the doubt for two reasons. First, Calgary lost to Saskatchewan (as noted above). Second, the Mammoth’s most recent effort was the team’s most inspiring of the season with their full complement of offensive weapons contributing multiple goals. If Dillon Ward’s revenge tour continues with the Mammoth’s offense turning into a true “by committee” format, Colorado is a group that could seriously contend for an NLL Championship. Connor Kelly deserves mention as one of the league leaders in goals and one of its most underrated contributors. The Mammoth have an opportunity to move to three games over .500 this week when they play a reeling Las Vegas team which is fresh off back-to-back losses over the weekend. Pat Coyle and company ought to be careful to avoid a possible let-down scenario off the bye. The Desert Dogs are struggling, but they’re still dangerous. Just ask San Diego.
The Rush are the clear number two team in the NLL after Week 12. They still trail the Bandits in winning percentage (.875 to .800) and in the loss column, but the Rush are reinforcing why we became believers weeks ago. This team has firepower, defense, athleticism and a little something extra on the attitude front that Derek Keenan and Jimmy Quinlan personally injected into the lineup. Saskatchewan is clearly the top team in the old “West Conference” at this point in the season and proved that once again with a sneakily massive sweep of Calgary and Rochester. Going to Calgary is tough and Rochester has as much offensive firepower as anyone. The Rush averaged a cool 16.5 goals per game over the weekend and looked every bit the part of an NLL Championship contender. Perhaps Buffalo’s loss to San Diego will compel folks to take the Rush more seriously. Zach Manns, Ryan Keenan and Matt Hossack are going to keep ripping it up whether you pay attention or not. Saskatchewan goes to Vancouver this upcoming weekend, which is consistently a tough building for visitors to manage. Friday at 10PM ET, NLL Friday Night on TSN, ESPN+, TSN+
1) Buffalo Bandits (7-1)
Week12 Results: Beat Toronto 13-12, Lost to San Diego 14-13 OT Week 13 Opponent: @ San Diego (5-5) Previous Ranking: 1st
Even after their OT loss to San Diego, Buffalo is the rightful owner of the top spot in the NLL through 12 weeks. Yes, the Bandits saw their 16-game win streak (regular and postseason) come to an end, but let’s consider the context. It was the second half of a back-to-back after a comeback win over Toronto on the road. Even after having played the previous night, the Bandits were five seconds away from victory when Zach Currier’s laser beam into the top right corner tied the game and forced OT. No shame in losing to a San Diego team that has suddenly found its identity. The Bandits still clearly deserve the top spot and will have a chance to prove that their loss to the Seals was a product of the back-to-back weekend when they head to California on Saturday for a rematch with the Seals. The last time Buffalo and San Diego played at Pechanga Arena, it was an instant classic. Don’t miss this one. Saturday, 10PM ET on ESPNU, ESPN+, and TSN+.
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