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NLL playoff notes round 1
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NLL Playoff Notes: Round 1 – Buffalo at Toronto, Colorado at Calgary

Buffalo Bandits at Toronto Rock

Both of these squads have been around the block a few times. When the two organizations have met in the past, it’s turned out 23-19 all time, the Rock’s lead, but the Bandits beat Toronto this season, 2 games to 1.

The Rocks lead the all time playoff record 3 to 1 and host this week’s round 1 matchup at home in the Air Canada Centre, where it’s always tough for teams to win on the road.

The only time the teams played in the ACC all season is the only game the Rock won against the Bandits. Be sure that the home field advantage will weigh heavily on this game.

Check out the full game footage from their last outing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6_lgpwDPjc

The matchup is a war of veteran talent, there plenty of playoff experience on both sides. Last year, Buffalo was the only squad that was left out of the tournament, so this year they aren’t taking the post-season lightly.

Toronto has had luck through 3 scorers this season scoring over 30 goals each (LeBlanc 45, Billings 32, Doyle 31), meanwhile the Bandits only have one (Steenhuis 31).

The Bandits found goals from 18 runners while Toronto had 16 different players find the net, but because of the Bandits late 8 game losing skid, no one was really tallying goals late in the season.

The winner of the game goes on to play the continuously rolling Rochester Knighthawks in round 2, in Rochester.

Can Buffalo stop their 8 losing spree or will the Rock prove solid in the Air Canada Centre?

Find out Saturday at 7pm EDT on The Lacrosse Network!

Colorado Mammoth at Calgary Roughnecks

Both of these veteran driven squads have had pretty successful seasons. After Colorado ditched their coaching staff for a former Mammoth lineup, the team saw much more productivity. The mid-season addition of Casey Powell along with the consistency of John Grant Jr. and Drew Westervelt, the Mammoth have been doing well to collect goals.

Here’s footage from their last battle this season:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgfGZzVutDY

The Mammoth have 3 players two scored at least 30 goals this season (Grant 40,Jones 39, Westervelt 30) while the Roughnecks also had 3 (Dobbie 51, Dickson 44, Shattler 35).

If the 51 goals statistic didn’t say it loud enough, Dane Dobbie has been electrifying all season long, he has been a human highlight reel in the NLL.

Dobbie, along with Shawn Evans (who has 105 regular season points) will continue to bolster the offense for the Roughnecks. If their defense can step up and lock down the vets, Calgary should be able to get the looks they need on Dillon Ward.

The Mammoth lead the all time history 17 to 15, going 2 and 1 this season against the Riggers. The Roughnecks lead the playoffs record a heavily tilted 5 games to 1.

Colorado has already collected one win in Calgary this season, but the Roughnecks do well when playing in front of an energetic crowd in the Saddledome.

The winner of this first round matchup has to move on to face the record setting Edmonton Rush in the Western Conference championship game!

Does the veteran Colorado Mammoth squad have enough gas in the tank to make a push through the playoffs or will the dynamic Roughnecks catch a break at home?

Find out Saturday at 9pm EDT on The Lacrosse Network!