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    Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Crawford to make his debut for the ever-evolving Black Wolves

    Changes.

    The New England Black Wolves made yet another one on Feb. 28 when they traded two-time National Lacrosse League MVP Shawn Evans to the rival Buffalo Bandits and acquired dynamic Bandits forward Callum Crawford in an ongoing effort to get more movement on offense.

    But how much is too much?

    “There's such a thing as too much change, but I also don't think you can be afraid to make changes,” Black Wolves coach Glenn Clark said during his weekly teleconference. “I know what it can look like from the outside: 'These guys are making change just to make change.'

    “That's not the case. We want to let this group start jelling together.”

    New England (5-4) plays at Toronto (5-5) in a 3 p.m. game Sunday against the Rock in the Air Canada Centre.

    The Wolves, who currently hold down first place in the NLL's Eastern Division, trailed by the Bandits (6-5) and the Rock, lost at Toronto previously this season 21-9.

    That was the beginning of a three-game slide for the Black Wolves, who followed by trading two draft picks to the Georgia Swarm for forward Johnny Powless. New England then won its next game Feb. 24 at Vancouver, 12-11 on a game-winning goal in overtime by Stephan Leblanc.

    The Wolves, who also had a massive overhaul of their defense to start the season, including trading goalies, had a bye week following the acquisition of Callum.

    “Callum was in (for Tuesday night's practice) and he looked good,” Clark said. “He's everything we thought he would be. He's a very well-conditioned athlete. He played with some guys in the team already. There was a level of comfort with him right off the bat. You adapt and move on quickly.”

    Crawford had 18 goals and 22 assists in nine games for Buffalo. He is a two-time NLL All-Pro pick with 829 career points.

    Kevin Crowley leads New England in goals (24) and points (38), while Leblanc is first in assists (19) and second in goals (15) and points (34).

    Adam Jones leads Toronto with 24 goals, 37 assists and 61 points, while Rob Hellyer is second in all three categories with 21 goals and 33 assists for 54 points.

    v.fulkerson@theday.com

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