3 Up, 3 Down—NLL Week 10: An Eagle in the Wings' Nest, Marcus Klarich, Tucker Out Lymphoma Cup

Inside Lacrosse February 4, 2025

By Adam Levi

Right now, there are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and the Buffalo Bandits winning National Lacrosse League games. Yet, while Bandits’ fans are reveling in this early-season 6-0 run, which is making them look poised to accomplish a rare NLL Cup three-peat, the rest of the league is sweating it out, fighting to prove themselves in this highly competitive season.

Week 10 was another prime example of how unpredictable things have been this NLL season, coming off a Week 9 that was equally unexpected. The unpredictability is why we love the NLL. This week, I dive into some of the more unpredictable moments we saw in Week 10. Here is this week’s 3 Up, 3 Down.

UP: Football Players on Lacrosse Broadcasts

Who doesn’t love it when professional athletes from one league embrace and enjoy another league?

On Saturday night, former North Carolina high school lacrosse state champion, Top 25 college recruit, and current member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Will Shipley, attended the Philadelphia Wings game and appeared to have a blast.

Not only did he spend some time with Brian Smith and Scott Gabrielsen in the broadcast booth breaking down plays, diving into his love of lacrosse, and, of course, talking about the Eagles heading to the Super Bowl, but he also got to witness a scrum up close and personal right up against the boards.

Lacrosse fans know it; the sport is having a moment. More and more athletes from around the sporting universe are speaking up about their experiences and enjoyment of lacrosse.

DOWN: Philadelphia Wings Defense at Home

While there was plenty of excitement surrounding Will Shipley attending the Wings game on Saturday, the Wings could not bring home a W for the potential future Super Bowl champion.

The Wings allowed a season-high 15 goals on their home floor against the high-volume-shooting Rochester Knighthawks. Coming into this season, the hope was that the Wings would not be giving up so many goals in a game, but that, unfortunately, has not been the case, especially at home.

Still, the home numbers have been trending in the wrong direction all season long, so maybe this shouldn’t be so much of a surprise. They’ve allowed 10, 11, 13, and now 15 goals at home this season. Because of the 15 goals allowed in Week 10, this was the Wings’ first home loss of the season - they fell 15-12. Nick Damude has not been at his best this season, but it is widely known how good he can be.

However, sitting at 3-1 at home and 5-3 overall in the standings, there is a lot of promise in this Wings team. And, with five home games remaining this season, the Wings have the chance to make this a special season for the home fans. If they can win just two of their five remaining home games, they’ll have recorded their most home wins since 2008, when the original version of the Philadelphia Wings went 7-1.

This season, the NLL introduced the Tucker Out Lymphoma Cup, an in-season competition named in honor of Tucker Williams, the late son of NLL Hall of Famer Shawn Williams and younger brother of Albany FireWolves player Dyson Williams.

On February 1st, Tucker’s birthday, the NLL held two Tuck Out Lymphoma games. Shawn was coaching his Las Vegas Desert Dogs in one while Dyson and his FireWolves were battling at Buffalo in the other. Having two cup games on the same night shined a light on Tucker’s legacy and continued to raise awareness for pediatric cancer care/research.

Tucker’s positive influence on the league is unprecedented. Various initiatives in Tucker’s honor have been happening in the NLL since 2014 (the year he passed away from Burkitt’s Lymphoma). Tucker’s legacy will live forever in box lacrosse circles, and the NLL’s continued efforts to shine a light on his legacy will help make that the case.

DOWN: Offensive Stars vs Thomas Kiazyk

What’s been most impressive about Kiazyk, though, is not just the volume of saves he’s made or the regularity at which he’s made them; it’s whose shots he’s been stopping.In the second half of the Rush’s game against the Albany FireWolves in Week 9, Kiazyk held Alex, Simmons, Tye Kurtz and Ethan Walker to 1 of 15 for their shots on goal, a collective 6.6% shooting percentage. This past weekend against the San Diego Seals, Kiazyk held Ryan Benesch and Wes Berg to 1 goal on 12 shots on net, an 8.3% shooting percentage.

He may only be 20, but Kiazyk is playing beyond his years. Opposing offensive players are finding that out real quick. The Rush have Week 11 off; let’s see if their Week 12 opponent, the Calgary Roughnecks, has found a way to beat the young netminder. I’m sure Dane Dobbie and Curtis Dickson will be studying up to see if they can find any answers. 

UP: Vancouver Warriors' Marcus Klarich

Marcus Klarich is starting to find his rhythm in the Warriors lineup. In Week 10, he notched 2 goals, marking his first career multi-goal game in the pros - he also set a new career high with 3 points. He’s only played in four of the team’s eight games this season, but he’s tallied at least 1 goal in every game.

Taking a look back at his goals from this past weekend, Klarich showed why the Warriors took him in the second round of the 2023 NLL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old lefty finessed his way around the Halifax Thunderbirds’ Mitch Wilde, attacked the crease, and absorbed a hit from Graeme Hossack as he was falling to the ground, shooting and scoring past Warren Hill.

Late in the third, Klarich again found himself streaking past a Thunderbirds defender, and again potted the goal in the back of the net as he was absorbing a hit. Standing in at 6’3” and 165 pounds, Klarich is lanky and tough.

He is looking more comfortable with the ball in his stick, creating his own opportunities, but he’s also been showing his off-ball skills by setting good picks and making passes that lead to scoring chances. Klarich is one of the many young players on this Warriors squad who are ready to be difference-makers right now.

DOWN: Jeff Teat and the Black Bears' Offense