NLL Week 18 Showdown: Warriors, Knighthawks & Swarm Deliver Heart-Stopping Thrillers

NLL Week 18 Recap: Edge-of-Your-Seat Drama Unfolds Across the League

The 2024-25 NLL season reached new heights of intensity in Week 18 as playoff contenders clashed in a series of instant classics. With postseason positioning heating up, three games were decided by a single goal—including an overtime thriller that had fans holding their breath until the final shot.

Friday Night Fireworks: Black Bears Maul Wings

The Ottawa Black Bears delivered a statement victory over the Philadelphia Wings (13-5) in a game that featured 24 combined penalties and multiple fights. League scoring leader Jeff Teat (4G, 5A) and Taggart Clark (4G, 3A) dominated offensively, with Teat extending his goal-scoring lead to 43 this season.

"TEATER! Jeff Teat scores 4 goals and records 5 assists as the Black Bears take down the Wings 13-5" - @NLL

Saturday's Doubleheader Delivers Historic Moments

Knighthawks Survive Seals' Fury (14-13)
Rochester's Ryan Smith (5G) became the hero with an 11-second game-winner after San Diego erased a six-goal deficit. Connor Fields (3G, 2A) made NLL history by becoming the fourth player ever with three 110+ point seasons.

Warriors Edge Bandits in Championship Rematch (13-12)
Keegan Bal's 10-point masterpiece (4G, 6A) helped Vancouver overcome the two-time defending champs. Goalie Christian Del Bianco made three clutch saves in the final minute to preserve the win.

"It's a 10-point night for Keegan Bal as his @VanWarriors take down Buffalo 13-12" - @NLL

Saskatchewan's Offensive Onslaught (17-12)
Austin Shanks' six-goal, ten-point performance powered the Rush past Colorado, while Ryan Keenan scored three goals in a 90-second second-quarter explosion.

Sunday's OT Instant Classic

The Georgia Swarm and Halifax Thunderbirds traded blows in a playoff-caliber showdown (13-12 OT). After Halifax forced overtime with two goals in the final 19 seconds, Andrew Kew buried the sudden-death winner to keep Georgia's postseason hopes alive.

Updated Standings & What's Next

With three weeks remaining, the Knighthawks' five-game streak has them surging up the standings, while Buffalo's loss creates a logjam in the East. The West remains wide open after Vancouver's statement win. Key matchups in Week 19: