2001 NLL season


The 2001 National Lacrosse League season is the 15th season in the NLL that began on December 21, 2000 and concluded with the championship game on April 27, 2001. The Philadelphia Wings won their 6th NLL championship, defeating the Toronto Rock 9-8 in Toronto. Philadelphia had now won twice as many championships as any other team in NLL history. The Championship game was one of only two games the Rock lost at home during the 2001 season, and ended Toronto's bid for an unprecedented third straight Championship.
The NLL expanded its schedule from 12 games to 14 during this season.
The lowest-scoring game in NLL history happened during the 2001 season, as the Toronto Rock and Albany Attack combined for only 11 goals in a 7-4 Toronto win at the Air Canada Centre.

Team movement

For the 2001 season, one expansion team was added to the NLL, the Columbus Landsharks. In addition, the Syracuse Smash ended a dismal existence in Syracuse, moving to Ottawa, Ontario to become the Rebel. Unfortunately, the Rebel would finish in the basement three straight years as well. The Pittsburgh CrosseFire, formerly the Baltimore Thunder, moved again, this time to Washington, becoming the Washington Power.
In addition, the Toronto Rock moved from the aging Maple Leaf Gardens to the Air Canada Centre for the 2001 season. The first Rock game at the ACC was a 17-7 Toronto win over the Ottawa Rebel on the opening night of the season, December 21, 2000.

Regular season

All Star Game

No All-Star game was held in 2001.

Playoffs

Awards

AwardWinnerTeam
MVP AwardJohn TavaresBuffalo
Rookie of the Year AwardTracey KeluskyColumbus
Coach of the YearTony ReschPhiladelphia
Executive of the Year AwardRuss ClinePhiladelphia
Goaltender of the Year AwardBob WatsonToronto
Championship Game MVPDallas EliukPhiladelphia

Weekly awards

Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.
WeekPlayer of the Week
1no award given
2John Grant Jr.
3John Tavares
4Roy Colsey
5Derek Malawsky
6Steve Toll
7Jake Bergey
8Devin Dalep
9Pat O'Toole
10Gee Nash
11Tracey Kelusky
12Kim Squire
13Kevin Finneran
14Pat O'Toole
15Matt Shearer
16Roy Colsey
17Dallas Eliuk

Monthly awards

Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.
MonthOverallRookie
JanDerek MalawskyTracey Kelusky
FebJohn TavaresKris Bryde
MarGary GaitTracey Kelusky

Statistics leaders

Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records.
StatPlayerTeamNumber
GoalsRoy ColseyNew York51
AssistsJohn TavaresBuffalo64
PointsJohn TavaresBuffalo115
Penalty MinutesPat CoyleToronto65
Loose BallsJim VeltmanToronto161
Save PctPat O'TooleRochester79.7