NLL Week 6: Unbeaten No More, Winless No More

The three games of National Lacrosse League Week 6 provided enough to keep everyone satisfied until the seven-game slate of Week 7 kicks off on Friday.

A pair of one-goal games were the highlights, though Rochester’s convincing win over previously undefeated Georgia was nothing to shake a (lacrosse) stick at.

So, let’s star there in our weekly jaunt through the NLL.

UNDEFEATED NO MORE

Rochester delivered one of the biggest wins of the first month-plus of the season, blasting Georgia 16-9 and ending the Swarm’s perfect 4-0 start to the season. The Knighthawks entered with one of the worst goal differentials in the sport and a 1-4 record, but a 7-4 halftime advantage ballooned to 13-4 with Rochester’s 6-0 run to start the third quarter.

It was all but over from there, as Ryan Lanchbury’s nine points (three goals, six assists) and Riley Hutchcraft’s 43 saves paced the Knighthawks.

Rochester had its ups and downs last season, finishing 8-10. Now 2-4, the Knighthawks need to ride some momentum into two upcoming games against a scuffling Halifax team that sits 1-3 after a bye week.

Buffalo is now the only remaining undefeated team (3-0).

WINLESS NO MORE

The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are off the schneid, while the Albany FireWolves continue to fall fast after an unexpected run to the NLL Finals last season.

Adam Poitras deposited the overtime winner on Tucker Out Lymphoma Night for Vegas, which received a game-high six points from Jackson Webster — who also assisted Poitras’ dagger. Jonathan Donville, Webster and Poitras all scored three goals, while Jack Hannah produced one goal and four assists.

Twenty-four-year-old goalie Landon Kells outdueled veteran Doug Jamieson 48-47 in cage.

The youth of the Desert Dogs showed its skill in spades, a welcome sign for a team that’s yet to find its footing during its NLL tenure. Perhaps this week’s win is a sign of things to come.

SEALS PITCH SECOND-HALF SHUTOUT

In a candidate for lowest-scoring game of the season, San Diego held Ottawa scoreless over the final 37 minutes for a 6-5 win. The Seals erased a 5-4 deficit after the third quarter with a pair of goals by Wes Berg 58 seconds apart early in the fourth quarter.

Berg was also the only player to score multiple goals in the contest, another NLL oddity.

Ottawa dominated faceoffs, winning 14 of 16, but San Diego outshot the Black Bears 52-36. Both teams will need better offensive showings moving forward.