All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.
Week Twenty Totals:
Shawn………………..6-1
Ryan…………………..4-3
“Muffler” Mike……3-4
Gary……………………6-1
Year to Date:
Gary………………….82-40
Shawn………………75-47
Ryan…………………74-48
“Muffler” Mike….65-57
Week Twenty One:
“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk:
CGY @ PCLC
PCLC. Panther City ends the regular season at home on a high note, fueled by the energy of clinching the first playoff berth in franchise history.
NY @ HFX
Halifax. I expect the Riptide to put up a fight, but they have historically struggled mightily against Halifax.
GA @ ROC
Georgia. Can’t bet against the hottest team in the league right now. Things get about as dire as they can for Rochester’s once-promising season.
TOR @ BUF
Toronto. Hands down the game of the week. Rock win the East division, then spend the next week hoping they don’t face Georgia in the first round.
COL @ SASK
Colorado. The Mammoth keep the door open for the #3 seed in the West. The Rush head back to the drawing board for next year.
LV @ SD
San Diego. This game will be closer than most expect, but the Seals will find a way to win as they have all season, claiming the West Division title in the process.
PHI @ ALB
Philadelphia. The Wings, knowing they’re not yet eliminated thanks to Georgia’s efforts the night before, take care of business and stay relevant going into the final week of the season.
Shawn Slaght:
Calgary vs Panther City
Pick – Calgary
Calgary still has an outside shot at first place so I can’t see them holding back. The Roughnecks are peaking at the right time and it’s bad news for the rest of the league.
New York vs Halifax
Pick – Halifax
Besides the game in Saskatchewan, Halifax has looked average at best. I think New York will give them a good game, but the T-Birds need it more.
Georgia vs Rochester
Pick – Georgia
A tale of two teams heading in different directions as the post-season gets closer. Georgia has found their groove and will be tough to beat, while Rochester will still be looking for answers.
Toronto vs Buffalo
Pick – Toronto
A huge matchup for the East Division’s top spot. The Rock are finally healthy, while Buffalo is trending downwards and their age is catching up to them.
Saskatchewan vs Colorado
Pick – Colorado
Colorado has too much on the line in their battle with Panther City. I think we’ll see a very different Saskatchewan team full of young players which bodes well for the Mammoth.
Las Vegas vs San Diego
Pick – San Diego
Las Vegas has seemed to play San Diego tough all season. That being said, the Seals are starting to play as we expected, a high-powered offensive team. They are also fending off Calgary for first, so the Seals will come out guns-a-blazing.
Philadelphia vs Albany
Pick – Philadelphia
This game is way to important for Philly to lay an egg. Their playoff lives depend on it. It should also solidify Albany as the favourites in the Dyson Williams sweepstakes.
Gary Groob:
Calgary vs. PCLC
Calgary wins.
The Christian Del Bianco factor plays in this game. Del Bianco has been spectacular this year, and will continue to wow fans. The Calgary offense has come to life, mixed with a solid transition game should put Panther City on their heels.
New York vs. Halifax
Halifax wins.
This game is ultra important for the Thunderbirds’ playoff hopes. They cannot afford to lose. Look for big night’s from Benesch, Petterson, and Boushy. New York is continuing to audition for next season. Look for a few unfamiliar faces in their lineup.
Georgia vs. Rochester
Georgia wins.
Two teams going in opposite directions. Georgia is in a tear winning 8 of the last 9, while Rochester is on a four game losing streak. The Swarm have been getting production from up and down their lineup. Rochester should get a few bodies back, but injuries have hampered the Knighthawks all season long.
Toronto vs. Buffalo
Toronto wins.
This Rock team is the most complete team in the league. Although the Bandits are very strong, the suffocating defense of the Rock can take the air out of any team. Nick Rose is having a spectacular year in net for Toronto. With home floor on the line, expect a tight, rough, tough game between two of the NLL’s best.
Saskatchewan vs. Colorado
Colorado wins.
The Rush will likely be suiting up players from their practice squad to give a look now that they’re officially out of the playoffs. The Mammoth will be running and gunning to get in gear for defending their championship in the upcoming playoffs.
Las Vegas vs. San Diego
San Diego wins.
The Seals have peaked at the right time, and while Vegas will put up a fight, they aren’t quite in their league just yet. Wes Berg, Austin Staats, Curtis Dickson, and Dane Dobbie are all rolling along. The only question for the Seals is their consistency in net.
Philadelphia vs. Albany
Philadelphia wins.
The Wings need to win to have any hope of staying alive in the playoff race. Expect another big game from Mitch Jones. I’m sure we will see more offensive output this week than last week against the Toronto Rock.
Ryan McMichael:
Calgary vs. PCLC
Calgary
NY vs. Halifax
Halifax
Georgia vs. Rochester
Georgia
Toronto vs. Buffalo
Buffalo
Saskatchewan vs. Colorado
Colorado
Las Vegas vs. San Diego
San Diego
Philadelphia vs. Albany
Philadelphia
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET)
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
