by Bob Chavez from ILindoor.com

Blaine Manning first, then Colin Doyle. Both Toronto Rock forwards were working their way toward the National Lacrosse League record for consecutive games played but both came up short when the injury bug snapped. Manning's streak ended at 162 games and Doyle's is done at 188, which ties the record of the now-retired Steve Toll. Up next? Shawn Williams, the lon-time Rochester Knighthawks forward who now is with the Edmonton Rush. Williams has played in 182 straight games and while he's not focused on breaking the ironman record, he acknowledges the significance of it. "I've been lucky," he told NLL.com. "Lucky and fortunate."

Indeed, these streaks are impressive. It's a contact sport, lacrosse, and considering the punishment forwards can take game in and game out, Manning, Doyle and Williams understand and appreciate the good fortune of being able to dodge defenders and serious injury. It's part of the game, says Williams. "If you don't have the bumps and bruises, you don't feel like you're in the game."

For Doyle, staying home from the Rock's trip to Calgary last Saturday and watching the game at home on TV hurt more than the lower body injury that kept him out of the lineup. He told NLL.com that were Saturday a playoff game, he would have played.

"Seeing them battle but not being part of it was pretty tough. This was quite a different experience for me. Thank God for TSN and HD," he told NLL.com.

If all goes well for Williams, he'll tie the record of 188 consecutive games on March 10 at Calgary, then will break the record March 17 at Philadelphia. It'll be a nice record to own, but it's not foremost on the mind of Williams. "I don't think about it. I'll be out there looking to help my teammates earn a win."