Six Nations talent excelled throughout week five and six of the National Lacrosse League schedule.
On Friday, Jan. 29, the Georgia Swarm (with a stock of Six Nations talent at its core) defeated the slow-starting Toronto Rock, at the Air Canada Centre (ACC) in Toronto, 20–17.
The goals came in bunches and in the end, Lyle Thompson had 10 points (2G, 8A) for the winners, with Johnny Powless collecting 4 goals and 3 assists, and Randy Staats with 3 goals. Shayne Jackson (6G, 4A) also had a 10-point game for the Swarm.
New England beat Buffalo 15–11 on January 30, with Quinn Powless earning a goal and an assist for the Black Wolves. Brett Bucktooth added two assists, with Alex “Kedoh” Hill scoring two and assisting on another for the Bandits.
Also in week five, the Georgia Swarm handled the Rochester Knighthawks 13–9, in Rochester. Randy Staats led the Swarm with 2 goals and 5 assists. Johnny Powless had a 6-point game (3G, 3A), and Miles Thompson (3G, 2A), Lyle Thompson (2G, 1A) also added points.
Craig Point’s three goals and two assists led the Knighthawks’, while Cody Jamieson was held to one goal. Adam Bomberry also scored one for Rochester.
Week six opened with Buffalo defeating the New England 12–10 to move into a tie for first. Alex “Kedoh” Hill scored two and assisted on another. New England’s Quinn Powless scored one and Brett Bucktooth earned two assists for New England.
In a cross-divisional matchup, the Swarm lost a tight 12–11 battle with the Calgary Roughnecks. In that one, Randy Staats scored twice and added four assists to lead the Swarm with Johnny Powless earning two goals and an assist. Miles and Lyle Thompson added two assists each.
Week seven opens on Saturday in Toronto, where the Toronto Rock will be looking for their first win of the season against the Vancouver Stealth. On Sunday, Buffalo will be in Georgia and Toronto will be in New England. Both are afternoon games.
With the teams so closely packed there should be some significant changes in the standing after this week’s games.
East Standings
TEAM W L GB
New England 3 2 —
Buffalo 3 2 —
Georgia 3 3 .5
Rochester 2 2 .5
Toronto 0 5 3
West Standings
TEAM W L GB
Saskatchewan 3 1 —
Colorado 4 2 —
Calgary 3 3 1
Vancouver 2 3 1.5
