In addition to the Wings-Rochester matchup, three
more games take place this weekend to open the 2013 National Lacrosse League
playoffs. Here is a look at these games.
Edmonton
Rush at Washington Stealth
7:30 PM April 27 at Comcast Arena (CBS Sports Network)
Regular Season: Edmonton won the season series 2-1.
Playoff History: The teams met once in 2010 with Washington
defeating the Rush 12-11 in overtime.
Team Leaders
Edmonton: Goals – Mark Matthews (38), Assists – Ryan Ward (54),
Points – Ward (75), Goals Against Avg. – Aaron Bold (10.56).
Washington: Goals – Rhys Duch (45), Assists – Duch (51), Points –
Duch (96), Goals against Avg. – Tyler Richards (10.92).
X-Factors: Edmonton went 7-1 on the road during the regular season
and gave up the second fewest goals (170) in the NLL in 2013 (Rochester - 165). The addition of Mark Matthews helped the Rush
to the third most goals (203) scored this season (Calgary - 222 and Minnesota -
219). Rhys Duch had career highs in goals and points but the Stealth will need
Lewis Ratcliff and Athan Iannucci to rebound from sub-par seasons.
Colorado Mammoth
at Calgary Roughnecks
9 PM April
27 at Scotiabank Saddledome (You Tube/the Lacrosse Network)
Regular
Season: Calgary won the season series 2-1.
Playoff
History: The teams have met five times with Calgary holding a 4-1
advantage. The last meeting was in 2011
with Calgary winning 10-6 at home.
Team Leaders
Colorado: Goals
– John Grant Jr. (43), Assists – Grant (48), Points – Grant (91), Goals against
Avg. – Tye Belanger (10.77).
Calgary: Goals
– Curtis Dickson (42), Assists – Shawn Evans (80), Points – Evans (112), Goals against
Avg. – Mike Poulin (12.70).
X-Factors: Tye
Belanger was 5-2 in goal for the Mammoth after Matt Roik, Chris Levis and Dan
Lewis combined to go 2-7. The Mammoth
went 4-2 after the acquisition of Casey Powell.
Calgary led the NLL in goals scored (222) but was tied for last in goals
against with Buffalo (211).
Minnesota
Swarm at Toronto Rock
3 PM April
28 at Air Canada Centre (YouTube/the Lacrosse Network)
Regular Season:
The teams split their two games, each team winning at home.
Playoff
History: This is the first meeting.
Team Leaders
Minnesota: Goals
– Ryan Benesch (34), Assists – Callum Crawford (63), Points – Crawford (95),
Goals against Avg. – Tyler Carlson (11.04).
Toronto: Goals
– Kasey Beirnes (31), Assists – Garrett Billings (70), Points – Billings (100),
Goals against Avg. – Nick Rose (10.61).
X-Factors: The
Swarm offense (2nd with 219 goals) against the Rock defense (3rd
giving up 176 goals). How much will the
Swarm miss Andrew Suitor against a well balanced Toronto offense?
