NLL Insider

Colin Doyle noted in his mid-season thoughts last week, that 2008 in the NLL is featuring a great rookie crop. He’s right. And this weekend rookies could again determine outcomes of games, as they have all season.

A good game by a rookie this year can help elevate his team to victory. Here’s a quick look at some NLL rooks who need to play well if their teams are to win this weekend.

Based on the Top 10 Rookie Rankings after week 11

1 (2) Jordan Hall, New York – Played excellent so far. If the Titans win Friday, Hall has to have another big game. Friday’s game is huge if New York is to make playoffs.

2 (1) Craig Point, Minnesota – Top 20 in league scoring but has averaged just 2.3 points per game in his last three. Needs to get back on track this weekend to help Minny end its three game slide.

3 (3) Merrick Thomson, Philly – Looks to be the real deal. Will be interesting to see if he can continue his great scoring pace and open the floor for others.

4 (9) Frank Resetarits, San Jose – Scored three more goals versus Colorado last game and now has eight tallies in his last three games, all Stealth wins. Which rookie will be the difference maker in that San Jose-Philly match-up? Stealth rookie Tom Johnson may get the call again. He and Resetarits combined for five goals last game.

5 (5) Tyler Codron, Portland – Set career highs last weekend by collecting nine ground balls and two assists. Bye this week.

6 (4) Kyle Ross, Minnesota – Wasn’t a difference maker last game but has been great overall. Needs to pick it up and help Minny get back on top. ‘Rox rookie Bobby McBride has quietly continued to play well for Chicago but it’s hard for him to shine on a team that’s 1-6.

7 (NR) Justin Norbraten, Minnesota – Was the best of all rooks in the Minny-Buffalo game last weekend. With Minny’s injuries, they’ll need another good performance from their top draft selection in 07.

8 (6) Jaime Rooney and (7) Pat Heim, Philadelphia – Part of a young squad in Philly and reason they’re tops in the league right now. Watch them push the pace Friday. Rooney even picks up points when he’s not playing. San Jose rookies Steve Panarelli and Paul Dawson will have the difficult task of trying to slow that Wings O.

9 (8) Brandon Swamp and Kyle Schmelzle, Buffalo – Both are getting a lot of floor time in Buffalo and are playing well for the Bandits who have obviously been on a roll lately. Bye this week.

10 (10) Matt Lyons, Rochester – Will hope to pick-up production this weekend after collecting three points in a Rochester win. In just his second game of the year, Rush rookie Steve Hutchins picked up six points to help Edmonton to its first win of the season last week.

Will Dylan Llord get another opportunity in Colorado? How about Nate Sanderson in Toronto? Both of those teams have been hurting for goals and the young rookies could provide a spark like Hutchins did last weekend.

Mike Carnegie picked up his first goal last weekend and has been playing well for the Roughnecks. As Shanny noted, rookie Rory Smith has also been making noise with New York.

Couple of key games this weekend that will impact the final standings. And don’t be surprised if a rookie leads the charge to a team victory.

Predictions for this weekend? Insiders’ Selections | Dance Team | Preview

An All-America at Simon Fraser and a decorated Jr. A player for Coquitlam, Kojima began covering lacrosse in 2003 and started working for Inside Lacrosse in 2007. Email him at steve.kojima@nllinsider.com or go to www.laxfuj.com .

Rate This Story:

(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)

 Loading ...