NLL Pickems

Five games on the schedule in the National Lacrosse League and… yes, it’s that time again! 

As anxious are young children are for Santa Claus, that is the excitement level for our weekly pick em’s!

All six of our soothsayers have achieved a winning record and, just the NLL, parity is at the forefront.

Steve “I was watching Pele Highlights” Holroyd went 1-1 last week while the others all went 2-0.

Gary “Mr. Podcast” Groob and Kevin “The Wings have a Winning Streak?” Neibauer Holds the lead at 15-7.

Shawn “Will the Rush Ever Play a Home Game?” Slaght sits at 14-8 with Ross “Sunburned” McCollough has battled back at sits at 13-9.

Steve “I was one of 456 people in Long Island” Holroyd nipping at Ross’ heels with a 12-10 number while Susan “My mouth is still killing me” Walton comes in at a 10-9 mark.

This week we start in sunny… sunny? Toronto and Gary “I Can’t Wait for Summer” Groob.

Vancouver @ Philadelphia 
Vancouver wins

I think this is the breakout game for the Warriors. 
Keegan Bal, Mitch Jones, and Logan Schuss are having great seasons, Matt Beers is the leader Vancouver was hoping he would be as well.  Eric Penney and Aaron Bold both have played well in net.  Philadelphia has shown strong offense, but still have defensive lapses, that will cost them against this upstart team.

Colorado @ Halifax 
Halifax wins.

This is going to be a really close game, as the teams match up well.  In a game like this, I give a slight edge to the home team. While the Mammoth can score in many ways, they also have defensive lapses, this will cost them against an explosive team like the Thunderbirds. 

Rochester @ Toronto 
Toronto wins. 

The Rock has looked very good in the last couple of games.  With an offense like Schreiber, Hellyer, Reinholdt,  Powless, plus transition with Dominey, Edwards, and Jubenville the Rock could run away with this game early.
Rochester has been competitive, but still has a little way to go to play with the top teams.

Buffalo @ Georgia
Georgia wins.

Georgia is coming off a loss and wants to get in the W column as soon as possible.  With the Thompson Brothers, Shayne Jackson, as well as Zed Williams in transition, the Swarm will be hard to beat.  Having Matt Vinc in the net is always an opportunity for a win, and with Priolo back, the Bandits are much tougher, but I think the Swarm is just too talented a group to lose two in a row. 

Saskatchewan @ San Diego 
Saskatchewan wins. 

This is a game that might help right the ship for the Rush.  

Defensively Saskatchewan has played well, and is just too talented a team to have another lackluster offensive showing.   San Diego is still dealing with major injuries, and this could be the break the Rush need.

Crossing the Country, we present Shawn “I Gotta Get to a Rush game” Slaght.

Vancouver @ Philadelphia
Pick – Philadelphia 

This is a tough pick. Both teams have improved from last year, it’s just a matter of who has improved more. The Wings have strung together a couple of wins and have some momentum. I think having Baptiste at the face-off dot will pay dividends this game.

Colorado @ Halifax
Pick – Halifax

The Mammoth have been on a roll as of late, but I’m just waiting for the shoe to drop. Dillon Ward has been standing on his head for Colorado and eventually, something has to give. You can’t rely 100 percent on your backstop against a good team like Halifax.

Rochester @ Toronto
Pick – Toronto

Rochester will get their wins, it’s just going to take some time to gel. Toronto has been a bit underwhelming at times this year, but I think this is the opponent that could get them back on track.

Buffalo @ Georgia
Pick – Georgia 

This will be the game to watch this week. Two of the top teams going head-to-head. Unfortunately, I think the Swarm is just a more well-rounded team compared to the Bandits. That said, it isn’t going to be a cakewalk. Look for only a goal or two to separate these teams.

Saskatchewan @ San Diego
Pick – Saskatchewan 

A lot of questions on both sides of the ball. Can San Diego fight through the injuries to get back to their winning ways? What’s happened to Saskatchewan’s offense? This will be a low-scoring affair but I feel Saskatchewan’s deficiencies are easier to overcome.

Coming back East and Steve “Loves me my Yuengling” Holroyd.

Vancouver @ Philadelphia: Two teams who continue to underperform.  The Wings had to labor against a woeful Riptides side last week, but are home for the first time.  I think the Warriors are the better team, but the energy of a home opener will carry the Wings across the finish line.  WINNER: Philadelphia

Colorado @ Halifax: The T-Birds surprised a rusty Buffalo team two weeks ago, and return home to what will be a small, but very enthusiastic, crowd.  The Woolies can only ride Dillon Ward so far, and his stellar play won’t be enough to knock the ‘Birds from the ranks of the undefeated.  WINNER: Halifax

Rochester @ Toronto: The NewHawks continue to improve, and the Rock just gets older with each game, it seems.  Still, Rochester remains an expansion side, and Toronto has too much talent and experience, especially at home.  WINNER: Toronto

Buffalo @ Georgia: Even accounting for rust, the Bandits were shockingly flaccid against Halifax two weeks ago.  Georgia remains the most dynamic team in the NLL.  Even before another non-crowd, the Swarm will prevail.  WINNER: Georgia

Saskatchewan @ San Diego: The Seals remain the big disappointment of the season so far, and no one is coming to watch them.  The Rush are still firing on all cylinders.  WINNER: Saskatchewan

Staying in the East and Kevin “I Needed that like I need a Hole in Head” Neibauer

Vancouver@Philadelphia
Vancouver

Vancouver is vastly improved and Philly is looking past them to the New England matchup.

Logan Schuss and Keegan Bal are the difference in this one

Colorado@ Halifax
Colorado

The Mammoth are rolling… This will be a classic but Colorado holds on despite a frantic Halifax rally.

Rochester@Toronto
Toronto

This one figures to be ugly Rochester simply can not keep up with the Rock.

Buffalo@Georgia…
Georgia

A high scoring affair that the Swarm flex their muscles for a three goal win.

Saskatchewan@San Diego
Rush

San Diego is getting their walking wounded back but the Rush have had time to make adjustments.

The Ailing Susan “ Is Bob Watson Still Playing?” Walton, still under the weather, chimed in with.

Kev, here are my picks – just picks will have to watch game on replay (I have not seen last week’s game yet.  Never in 20 yrs.  Not even a podcast this week 

Warriors at Wings – Pick Wings
Mammoth at Thunderbirds – Pick Thunderbirds 
Nighthawk’s at Rock – Pick Rock
Bandits at Swarm – Pick Swarm
Rush at Seals – Pick Rush

Finally, we had to wait for the beach to close for Ross “My Magic 8 Ball is on a Roll” McCollough.

Vancouver Warriors vs Philadelphia Wings,
Riding high after 2 solid wins, the Wings win a 3rd game in a row and a win at home with solid play by Rambo and Baptiste. score Wings 11- Warriors 9

Colorado mammoth vs Halifax thunderbirds,
Mammoth pull ahead early and the defense shuts down the Tbirds. 
Score Mammoth 13 – Tbirds 9

Rochester Knighthawks vs Toronto Rock
Dan Dawson scores 5 and the Knighthawks still have no direction.
Score Rock 15 – Khawks 12

Buffalo Bandits vs Georgia Swarm
Buffalo comes out swinging, and the Thompson brothers both get hat tricks, in the end, the Bandits win but it’s ugly
Score Bandits 13 Swarm 12

Saskatchewan Rush vs San Diego Seals
Rush score early and hold a lead through the half. San Diego pulls out a win in the end in a nailbiter 
Score Seals 14 Rush 13

There you have it… Get yer bets in!!

By: Kevin Neibauer

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