Things are going so well for Panther City Lacrosse Club’s offense that even goalie Nick Damude is finding the back of the net. The expansion National Lacrosse League franchise has found a rhythm, helping the group to its first three-game win streak.

Rookie Patrick Dodds was dominant with 11 points, while Will Malcom and Cam Milligan helped with eight each, in PCLC’s 20-14 victory against West contender Colorado. It marked the second time in as many games Panther City set a new franchise record for goals, building off a 17-16 overtime win against Saskatchewan.

Damude, who made 37 saves, joined the scoring party when he took advantage of a Mammoth empty net in the fourth quarter.

Dodds, now only trailing Jeff Teat in rookie points, spoke to the value of the Panther City coaching staff in their recent success. A trio of NLL veterans are behind the bench in Tracey Kelusky, Steve Toll and Dan Teat.

“It’s huge having those guys,” Dodds said. “Their experience combined is unbelievable. To be lucky enough to have those guys behind us on the bench and guiding us through our breakout season, it has been an honor for sure.”

SEALS PULL OFF WILD COMEBACK

The San Diego Seals didn’t give up against the Saskatchewan Rush Friday, down to the final second.

Saskatchewan was in complete control entering the final 20 minutes, with Robert Church giving the Rush a comfortable 9-4 advantage. But from there, it was all San Diego.

“We sure started off ugly, but we finished strong,” forward Wesley Berg said.

The Seals scored the game’s final six goals, including Jeremy Noble’s game-winner with 1.3 seconds left, in an unbelievable 10-9 finish.

Berg took the shot that set up the final tally, pulling up from the top of the offensive zone with three seconds remaining. Eric Penney handled the attempt, but the rebound bounced right up to Noble on the left of the crease. He snagged the ball, then got enough air to put a shot over Penney’s shoulders.

PUT THIS ONE IN THE LOUVRE

pic.twitter.com/F5eSXev3aU

— San Diego Seals (@SealsLax) March 12, 2022

“It was wild,” Berg said. “I knew we only had eight seconds and they were going to lock off [Dane Dobbie]. I figured I’d just try to put something on net. Penney made a great save, and [Noble], he knows where to be at the right time. What a clutch goal by him.”

BANDITS FLEX

This weekend brought the most lopsided victory of the season, and yet another reminder that Buffalo is the team to beat.

Dhane Smith wreaked havoc with 12 points — 10 coming on assists — and Josh Byrne finished close behind with nine points. Matt Vinc allowed a season-low goals total in a 17-5 beatdown of the Philadelphia Wings. At 10-1, the squad is off to the best start in franchise history.

Tehoka Nanticoke lit the lamp with five goals, getting a hat trick in the second quarter alone. In total, eight Bandits got a ball past the Wings goaltending duo of Zach Higgins and Angus Goodleaf. Some of the goals were jaw-dropping, like Byrne’s behind-the-back move in the third quarter.

IS THIS REAL LIFE?! @Joshbyrne94 | #LetsGoBandits pic.twitter.com/vgK2Ht3Zl9

— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) March 13, 2022

The win, combined with a down weekend from Halifax, gave Buffalo cushion in the East Division. The Bandits and Thunderbirds entered Week 15 tied in the loss column, but Buffalo exits two games up after the T-Birds fell to Albany on Friday and Georgia on Saturday.

LOSING GROUND

Halifax had to mount comeback efforts in both of their defeats, falling just short each time. The FireWolves pulled ahead 8-5 with a five-goal run that stretched from the second to fourth quarters. The T-Birds answered with goals from Clarke Petterson and Kyle Jackson in the final five minutes but couldn’t get the equalizer in an 8-7 defeat.

Ryan Benesch and Joe Resetarits led the way for Albany with four points each.

A night later, Georgia broke a 5-5 tie with a pair of goals each from Lyle Thompson and Shayne Jackson to close out the first three quarters. Halifax attempted to claw its way back with four goals in the final frame, but it wasn’t enough in a 10-9 final.

It was a tough first impression after the Thunderbirds made a major trade Wednesday. Halifax acquired former league MVP Shawn Evans from Rochester alongside a conditional second round pick in exchange for a first and second rounder. Evans had a combined five points against Albany and Georgia.

“At this stage of my career, it’s trying to get on a contender and try to fight for a championship before my career is done,” Evans told TSN prior to his debut. “I see a good fit with Halifax here.”

DRUBBING IN VANCOUVER

If it weren’t for their rivals to the south, the Toronto Rock would have boasted the biggest margin of victory of Week 15. The Rock led by as much as 10 thanks to a 12-1 run in a 14-5 victory against the Vancouver Warriors.

Nick Rose allowed the first goal of the game 3:40 into the contest then gave up just one more in the following half-hour of game action.

Rob Hellyer had nine points on five goals and four assists for a Rock squad that sits a half-game back of Halifax for second in the East.

WIRE-TO-WIRE RIPTIDE TRIUMPH

A hot 6-0 start for the Riptide against Rochester Saturday helped make sure New York never trailed in its 15-12 triumph. The team got nine points from Jeff Teat and six from Callum Crawford, taking advantage of Rochester goalie Joel Watson making his first NLL start.

The Knighthawks made things interesting thanks to a 6-2 run in the second quarter, with four of those goals coming from Thomas Hoggarth, but Rochester was never able to cut the deficit to smaller than two.

NOTEWORTHY

NLL interim commissioner Jessica Berman is leaving the league to become commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League. “We want to thank Jessica for the exemplary work and the leadership she has provided us during her tenure with the NLL,” Matt Hutchings, COO and EVP at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and chair of the NLL board of governors, said in a statement. “While we are disappointed to see her leave, we know she will always be a friend and supporter of our league and the sport. We look forward to seeing her progress personally and professionally for years to come and wish her the best of luck.” … Georgia’s Mike Poulin became the fourth goalie in NLL history with 100 career wins after besting Halifax. … Buffalo’s Josh Byrne moved into the top 10 in Bandits history in both points and assists. … Toronto placed Dan Dawson on injured reserve Saturday. … Halifax played without Stephen Keogh, who was on the COVID-19 protocol list. … Alex Woodall made his season debut after being picked up by Colorado this week. He won 18 of his 38 draws against Panther City. Fellow faceoff athlete TD Ierlan netted his first career goal for Toronto.

POWER RANKINGS

Last week’s rankings in parentheses.

1. Buffalo Bandits (1)
2. San Diego Seals (3)
3. Toronto Rock (4)
4. Halifax Thunderbirds (2)
5. Georgia Swarm (7)
6. Albany FireWolves (8)
7. Colorado Mammoth (5)
8. Panther City Lacrosse Club (11)
9. Philadelphia Wings (6)
10. Vancouver Warriors (9)
11. Calgary Roughnecks (10)
12. New York Riptide (14)
13. Rochester Knighthawks (12)
14. Saskatchewan Rush (13)

UP NEXT
ALL TIMES EASTERN

Thursday

Rush at Roughnecks, 9 p.m.

Friday

Warriors at Mammoth, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday

Swarm at FireWolves, 7 p.m.
Panther City at Roughnecks, 9 p.m.
Knighthawks at Rush, 9:30 p.m.
Mammoth at Seals, 10 p.m.