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Some beauty performances this week for sure. And it wasn’t just O guys biggin’ it up either. Huge performances between the pipes and some wicked scraps this weekend made for a pretty solid weekend of lacrosse.

And once it hits youtube. you gotta check out the absolutely unfreakin’ real goal Duke’s Matt Danowski scored this past weekend.

Tried to give out some thumbs to the less high profile guys this week and handed out one massive thumb down to…

Thumbs Up

Pat Campbell
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Pat Campbell has first string stuff in this league and should be starting somewhere (yeah, realize he’s been starting for the Necks, but is #2 behind Chugger when he’s better). Two years ago I really felt that no keeper in the league was more important to his team than Campbell was during that expansion year in Edmonton. He was absolutely, undeniably, off the chain, amazing in 2006. He was exactly the same on Saturday night in TO. He was fearless between the pipes and made some unreal saves, giving his boys a chance to burry the Rock, but they just couldn’t get ‘er done at the other end of the floor. He’s a little unorthodox but did everything he could, as always, to give the Necks a chance for the W. Had Boston had their legs under ‘em this year, Paddy woulda given them a chance every night.

Cory Bomberry
With all the talk of some of the young guys needing to step up for Buffalo with the key injuries that kept piling up, not sure many have noticed vet Cory Bomberry and the sick season he’s throwing down. Bomberry is on pace to post the kinda digits we haven’t seen from the 12 year vet since his glory days in Rochester. He’s been pivotal in some of the Banditos’ wins this year and he absolutely abused the Wings on the weekend with a ten point game. Check ‘em out again on Wednesday in this week’s The Money Ballers.

Rory Smith
What did I tell ya, this kid is a future Fight Club champ!! Hell, he almost did it on Friday night when he went toe-to-toe with the current champ (another version here), but came up just short of taking his crown. Easily this year’s best scrap and Smith should be holding his head high. And don’t for one second think Adam Mueller just stuck him in the lineup to have a go with Geoff Snider. Smith has been a regular starter for New York since their win streak started up earlier this month. He’s got that kinda balls out, take no sh** attitude that the Titans need and allows guys like Jarett Park to stay on the floor and do what he does best, versus sitting five in the bin like he did against TO like a month back (see crazy KO vs. Jon Harasym). Guys like Smith, Tim O’Brien and Troy Bonterre are the kinda guys you need in your lineup to keep things in check. New York’s got a beauty in Rory.

Shawn Evans
Is it a coincidence that every time Shawn Evans has a huge night the Hawks win in 08? Although Shawn’s game winner against Chicago this past week got a little lost in the onslaught of goals Rochester rammed down the Shamrox’s throat, his clutch performances have definitely been noticeable to those that have been paying attention this season. Huge night (well, huge fourth quarter) against the Rock equaled a massive come from behind win. A big fourth against Calgary drummed up another Rochester win. And even though that Rochester O has been saggin’ as of late, Evans is on pace for his best pro season yet.

Blaine Manning
Even though Toronto’s O looked kinda one dimensional again, Manning stepped it up for the boys with a trick and late game winner to give the Rock another close win that will be insanely important come playoff time when those three to five spots are likely gonna be just inches apart.

But that O…

Thumbs Down

Offenses!!!

… has been hurtin’ across the board this year. And it’s not just the Rock. Calgary looked really outta sync against Toronto while Edmonton, Portland and Chicago all failed to hit double digits yet again this past weekend. Power play units have been just as rough this year too. Subtract that insane 21-12 score-line outta the HSBC on Saturday night, and the league went a horrible 14-44 a man-up during week ten. With all the parity and close games this year, a decent man-up, and some of these teams that keep droppin’ the close ones, would actually be on the right side of some of their games for once.

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