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Well, we are a quarter of the way through and who would have EVER thought the NLL would look like this when we got here?! Sure, the fans in Philly and Minny “knew” they would be undefeated, but let’s be honest here: Top to bottom, the league is all shook up!

When the season started, I went WAY out on a limb and said my former team, the Rush, would surprise all and make triumphant run to the Cup. Somebody hit the gong please, I was way off. Not to say they won’t make a N.Y. Giants run to finish but, I just don’t see it happening. Somebody posted on the message boards that it’s possible, that both Edmonton and Portland could continue losing games and we may see a 2-14 team make the playoffs. CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?!?  That’s just stupid. Come on fellas, we all know you can play, get out there and smash some heads!

Another comment made to me by a B.C. buddy was, “How many western teams are there gonna be next year?” Who knows! With gross crowds in San Jose, even with low ticket prices, and a drastic drop in attendance at Rexal Place, is it feasible that we lose two more teams next year? I really don’t want to think about that, and knowing Bruce Urban he won’t let that happened but something needs to be done. I really hope the Rush makes a turn soon or they may have move the All-Star Game to an arena with fans.

Speaking of arenas with fans, is there anything more you can say about the amazing fans in Colorado? If there was one team I could have played for, well other than Philly when I first got into the league, it would be the Mammoth. Not just ’cause they are continually kicking the sh*t out of teams but, because of the passion of the “Tar Pit!” The Pepsi Centre is one of the loudest barns in the league and for good reason. Willy B has become one of the foremost in-house announcers in the league. Able to get the crowd going and keep the atmosphere level a few notches above JACKED!!!  Oh yeah, the Mammoth are 4-0 and Bob McMahon and his ‘fro, are steady dropping teams faster than Tutka drops the remote when the Pizza Pops are done.

But the surprise of all surprise, the little engine that could, the Minnesota Swarm. I remember the first season in Minny and Marty O’Neill said that our team was a bunch of misfits nobody wanted. Well Marty, everybody wants what you have now! One of the most consistent goalies in the game, a young fast D that never stops and an offense that would rather make that extra pass for the easy goal than take dumb, selfish shots that may go in. Ryan Ward is quarterbacking the offense better than Eli. Dewey Jacobs has gathered a core group of Six Nations boys that battle for every second they are on the floor and an overall team work ethic that continually wears down the other team. Look out for the Swarm!

So, 15 minutes down, 45 to go. Parity was a word used earlier in the year and that’s very evident now. Who would have thought the defending champs would be tied for last in the East? Just imagine if we could all watch this season unfold on TV.

P.S. I told everyone A.I. would have a break out year in Philly. Atta boy Athan!!

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