Shanny’s Power Rankings: Week 18

April 28th, 2008 by Brian Shanahan

Last week I said it was possible, but unlikely, that five teams in the East would end tied at 9-7.

Well, that didn’t happen but it’s just as surprising that four teams finished at 10-6. And yes, the unthinkable happened: The defending champs, the Rocherster Knighthawks are out of the playoff picture. Don’t point to their loss on Saturday as the reason they are out. They played great lacrosse down the stretch and a number of coaches recently told me that despite their record, they wouldn’t be surprised if the Knighthawks had won out the rest of their games all the way to another championship.

Instead, the Knighthawks will be watching because of lackluster efforts mid-season when they lost games against the Edmonton Rush and the Chicago Shamrox.

But that’s enough talk of Rochester. We are starting the new season next week and if it’s anything like the regular season, we’re in for a great ride.

1 (1)	New York Titans 10-6 4-0 down the stretch and 9-2 after a horrible start. The Titans showed they can win under pressure.
2 (3)	Buffalo Bandits 10-6 Did what needed to be done all season long. Home floor, Rochester out. Things look good for Bandits in playoffs.
3 (2)	Philadelphia Wings 10-6 Best offence. Worst defense. If that doesn’t spell a quick playoff exit, I’ll be surprised.
4 (4)	Rochester Knighthawks 8-8 No. 4 spot in the Power Rankings? A lot of good that will do them as they watch the playoffs.
5 (5)	Minnesota Swarm 10-6 Could not take advantage of soft schedule down the stretch.
6 (7)	San Jose Stealth 9-7 Saved best game of season for their first-place showdown against the Mammoth.
7 (5)	Colorado Mammoth 9-7 Carey is out for season. Sims also questionable. Can Prout and Langry carry the offence?
8 (8)	Calgary Roughnecks 7-9 Picked up their play in crunch time. Look out, Colorado.
9 (9)	Portland LumberJax 6-10 Have beaten the Stealth twice in San Jose. Can they do it a third time?
10 (11)	Chicago Shamrox 6-10 1-7 in the first half, 5-3 in the second half. Not good enough in the East.
11 (10)	Toronto Rock 7-9 0-4 in one-goal games. Next year starts today. They lose their best all-around player as well (Jim Veltman).
12 (12)	Edmonton Rush 4-12 Made us believe for a short while.

A longtime TV analyst for Rogers Sportsnet, Shanny won five Mann Cups as a player and is the voice of boxla in Canada. Email him at brian.shanahan@nllinsider.com or go to ShannyLacrosse.com.

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