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Studs:

Athan Iannucci (PHI): (4, 1) 9 LB vs. TOR, (4, 2) vs. CHI
Can anyone stop this guy? Well on pace to top Gary Gait’s record of 61 goals in the regular season - he currently has 54 with 4 games remaining - and I definitely think he will break it. His numbers this past weekend are ridiculous, and pretty consistent with his 4.5 goals per game average, not to mention that he averages over 6 points a game, and has a shooting percentage of almost .200. It should be fun to see his season play out!

Jeff Zywicki (SJS): (5, 2) vs. POR (4/5), (2, 5) vs. POR (4/6)
The NLL’s Overall Player of the Week had yet another great weekend, and has put his team on his back for the playoff push in only his third season. We all expected a good season from him, but not quite to this level - he’s leading the league in scoring 80 points (43, 37), despite having Colin Doyle on his team.

(G) Matt Roik (CHI): 48 SV, 14 GA vs. PHI
I could have gone a couple different routes this week in this spot, but felt I had to give a goalie some love this week, especially one of the league’s best doormen. True, Buffalo’s Ken Montour actually had a better week than Roik statistically last week, but Roik was traded to Chicago, started against his former team, the offensive juggernaut Philadelphia, and helped his team get the dub. One word: Clutch.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan Ward (MIN)
Ryan Benesch (TOR)
Cody Jacobs (CHI)
Jimmy Quinlan (EDM)

Duds:

(D) Cam Woods (TOR):
Woods is a phenomenal player, a pretty good point-getter as a defenseman and a leader for his team. Those things, and the fact that I had him on my roster as recently as two weeks ago, Woods has not been a wise fantasy start ever during the season. 13 points (5,8) and 62 LBs are great for a D-man, but not good enough to crack my lineup, nor should it be for yours.

(T) Jim Veltman (TOR):
The soon-to-be 42-year-old has had yet another strong season - his last - but like Woods, 15 points (3, 12) with 92 LBs won’t get it done for you. I love the wily vet, and come to think about it, have him on my roster as well, but have not even thought about starting him once because of his lack of fantasy production.

Start ‘Em:

(T) Mark Steenhuis (BUF): (3, 3) 8 LB vs. COL
This guy just continues to dazzle. Kudos to John Jiloty who said Steenhuis would have a breakout year and drafted him pretty early based on that prognostication. I’ll openly give Jiloty dap for the decision, but am calling out no way did he expect a season from him quite this good, 69 points (29, 40). He’s a no-brainer to start every week.

Dan Dawson (POR): (1, 3) 8 LBs vs. POR, (2, 4) vs. SJS
Being in the Northwest, and having played for the close to defunct-Arizona Sting before that, Dawson doesn’t get the credit he should, as one of the best overall players in the game. His stats have dropped a bit from his career year last season (107 points (47, 60)), but I point out that he has nowhere near the talent level with the LumberJax than his still defending Western Conference Champion Sting. Face it, if you’ve got him, you start him, because he’s probably the best you’ve got.

Sit ‘Em:

Aaron Wilson (TOR):
Despite Wilson’s numbers having taken a hit from a year ago (71 points), and from his best year of his six in 2005 (74 points), he is a worthy owner of a roster spot in fantasy. But now is the time to sit him if you’ve got him. He gave it his best shot, and had a handful of nice games in ‘08, but (24, 19) through 13 games isn’t enough on a questionable offensive team.

(T) Nolan Heavenor (CGY):
First knock against him, he plays for the sinking ship that is the Roughnecks. Second, he only has 19 points (12, 7), and has several weeks during the season in which he came up with almost all zeros in the scorer’s column. Time for you to give someone else the tap on the shoulder if you have been inserting this guy into one of your Top-5.

Closing Notes:

That should be a wrap. Of course, if you have any questions, hit me up on the below e-mail address.

See you next Thursday as we close up the column in the next couple weeks.

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