NLL Recap: Week Two

Week Two: Firewolves Roll, Kew Stays Clutch

Due to some technical difficulties, our Friday newsletter failed to deliver last week. We apologize to readers and confirm that the plan is to stick with Monday and Friday releases all season long.

After two weeks of the NLL season, every team has now seen action. Week two saw some blowouts, the second OT game of the season, and much more. Let’s get right into it.

Colorado Mammoth 15 – Vegas Desert Dogs 9

The Mammoth used a 7-goal fourth quarter to break open an 8-6 lead at the third intermission and win the first ever game at Lee’s Family Forum. Connor Kelly led the scoring with 2 goals and 6 assists, while Ryan Lee had 3 goals and 4 assists.

Jack Hannah was again the star for the Vegas Dogs, scoring 4 goals and 3 assists. His 8 goals currently leads the league. Rookie Adam Poitras also scored for the Dogs, marking the first career goal for the former second-overall pick.

Stat of the Game: It was a night of milestones for the Mammoth. Ryan Lee marked 100 career goals, Connor Kelly 200 career points, and Will Malcom 300 career points!

Attendance: 5,051

Albany Firewolves 15 – Toronto Rock 4

The Firewolves rebounded with a dominant victory over the 0-2 Rock in the first game at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga. Travis Longboat led all scorers with a goal and 6 assists, while Sam Firth had a career high 5 goals for the Firewolves.

Josh Dawick led the scoring with 3 goals for the Rock, who were held to just one goal in the first half.

Stat of the Game:

Attendance: 5,044

Buffalo Bandits 15 – Rochester Knighthawks 7

Buffalo began their quest for a three-peat in front of a heavy Bandits crowd, who travelled up I-90 to see their team play in Rochester. 42 year-old Matt Vinc kicked off his 19th NLL season in style, allowing 7 goals against and also registering an assist.

Dhane Smith had 11 points to lead all scorers on the weekend, on 3 goals and 8 assists. The Bandits also got goals from defender Dylan Robinson and Paul Dawson in the victory.

Ryan Lanchbury led the Knighthawks with 2 goals and 2 assists.

Stat of the Game: The Bandits scored 8 goals in the fourth quarter, blowing open a game that was tied with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Attendance: 6,454

Calgary Roughnecks 18 – Halifax Thunderbirds 17

In one of the wildest games you will ever see, Calgary overcame two separate 7-goal deficits, and won the fourth quarter 6-2 in an epic comeback win over the Thunderbirds.

Jesse King led all scorers with 10 points on 2 goals and 8 assists, while Curtis Dickson and Dane Dobbie looked comfortable back in Roughnecks uniforms with 5 goals and 4 assists each. Cam Macleod recorded his first Win in his NLL career for the Roughnecks.

Clarke Petterson (2 goals, 7 assists) and Randy Staats (1 goal, 8 assists) led the scoring for the Thunderbirds.

Stat of the Game: The 35 combined goals was the most in a game since Rochester beat Georgia 19-18 on March 12,, 2023.

Attendance: 5,652

Georgia Swarm 13 – San Diego Seals 12

After losing in OT to end the year in the playoffs last season, the Swarm found the better of the extra frame this time around, as Andrew Kew scored the game winner 2:55 OT.

Lyle Thompson had 4 goals and 2 assists and looked to carry over his excellent form from the Mann Cup. Kew had 2 goals and 2 assists including the aforementioned game winner.

Rob Hellyer continued his strong play for the Seals with 3 goals and 3 assists while Wesley Berg, Ryan Benesch, and Ben McIntosh had 4 points each.

Stat of the Game: Kew’s goal was the second OT winner of his career. He had four game winning goals last season, including the OT winner over the Vancouver Warriors.

Attendance: 4,358