NLL Pick'ems - Edge of Philly Sports Network

Another tough week for our Pickems crew. Kevin, Shawn, Ross, and Steve all went 3-5 while Gary and Susan posted 2-6 records.

So, things stay jammed up with Shawn Slaght claiming the lead with a 20-14 mark which leaves a log Jane with Kevin Neibauer, Ross McLoughlin and Gary Groob right behind at 19-15.

Steve Holroyd fell to 17-17 and Susan dropped to 15-16.

We start in South Jersey via Halifax and Steve “Not one to drop names… but guess who I know” Holroyd.

NY @ PHILADELPHIA: The Riptide played the Wings awfully tough a few weeks ago on the island, and finally grabbed their first win last week. But this Wings team has improved every week and has a red hot Zach Higgins in the net. Wings’ crowds are small but boisterous, so there’s also the home floor advantage. WINNER: Philadelphia

SAN DIEGO @ NY: The Riptide has a tough back-to-back against a Seals side that is desperate to get it going. This will be the game. WINNER: San Diego

BUFFALO @ COLORADO: The Mammoth is a good team, with Dillon Ward doing his thing. Buffalo, on the other hand, added Garrett Billings to strengthen their right side, and Chris Cloutier is playing like the guy the Wings thought they’d drafted. Plus, you know…Matt Vinc. Bandits take this one on the road. WINNER: Buffalo

HALIFAX @ CALGARY: Other than Christian Del Bianco doing his thing in the pipes, the Roughnecks are spread thin due to injuries and suspensions. The Thunderbirds, however, look to be for real, particularly with Warren Hill staying red hot. The ‘Birds stay undefeated. WINNER: Halifax

GEORGIA @ NEW ENGLAND: The Black Wolves are the NLL’s only other undefeated team (along with Halifax), but needed a few breaks after a three-week layoff to get past the Wings. Georgia, on the other hand, remains the best worst team in the league, underperforming in head-scratching ways. I think New England is soft, though, and that the Swarm finally gets back on track. WINNER: Georgia.

We move to the prairie and Shawn “The Rush has everyone where they want them” Slaght.

New York @ Philadelphia
Pick – Philadelphia
Kudos to the Riptide for getting their first win but it doesn’t get any easier from here. Philly has shown they are a much-improved team, while New York still isn’t a great team.

San Diego @ New York
Pick – San Diego
What do you get when you have a bottom feeder team playing on back-to-back nights? It’s going to get ugly. San Diego May have their struggles, but they are the superior team over the Riptide by far.

Buffalo @ Colorado
Pick – Colorado
The Mammoth is for real. To me, however, this game is pretty much a pick’em. I’m going with the Mammoth and the home floor advantage.

Halifax @ Calgary
Pick – Halifax
This game intrigues me. Calgary is notoriously slow starters to the season and Halifax isn’t backing done from anyone. If Calgary can play to their potential they’ll have a chance. But with the way they have been playing lately, I have to go with Halifax.

Georgia @ New England
Pick – New England
It almost seems like New England feels that have some unfinished business from last year when they got off to a quick start and faded. Georgia, on the other hand, is lacking consistency. One game they are world-beater, next game the world is beating them. I think you are going to see a determined Blackwolves squad take it to the Swarm.

Staying in the West and Ross “I got my crystal serviced” McLoughlin.
New York @ Philadelphia
Philadelphia wins.

Wings being healthy, with a positive attitude has made a world of difference. Baptiste, Rambo and Riorden are having too much fun making it look easy. Nobody is being selfish, and they are taking High percentage shots and making great goals.

San Diego @ New York
San Diego wins.

San Diego is getting the band back together, Jackson being back has allowed some players to play more traditional roles and instantly better footwork. New York will be tired in this game if Buque is the goalie for both games look for him being pulled near the half against San Diego.

Buffalo @ Colorado
Colorado wins.

Colorado stuns in an upset, It’s going to be a brawl.

Halifax @ Calgary
Calgary wins

Calgary Charges the Hill and comes out winners. Hill won’t block 91% of his shots 2 weeks in a row, Calgary comes out on top as Halifax has to go on the road away from the Nest.

Georgia @ New England
New England wins.

Blackwolves continue to look really strong and crisp and get the win at home.

Back East and Gary “Taking Back the Lead” Groob.

New York @ Philadelphia
Philadelphia wins.

Although the Riptide got their first win of the season, the Wings have made me a believer. A great showing against New England, and annihilation of the Knighthawks. This team has shown me they can win in any style and have become a well-rounded team. Zach Higgins GAA is absolutely phenomenal!

San Diego @ New York
San Diego wins.

Having Casey Jackson back adds a new dimension to the Seals offense, and I think they will take advantage of a tired Riptide team.

Buffalo @ Colorado
Buffalo wins.

With an offense like Dhane Smith, Garrett Billings, Chase Fraser, Josh Byrne, a d Chris Cloutier, having Matt Vinc in net, the Bandits will be tough to beat anywhere.

Halifax @ Calgary
Halifax wins.

Is the Dobbie suspension that big….YES!
Calgary has looked rather ordinary so far this year, and Halifax has been firing on all cylinders. Expect more of the same in this game, with Warren Hill cementing that he should be a #1 goalie in this league.

Georgia @ New England
New England wins.

As the Thompson Brothers go, is how the Swarm goes…
Glenn Clark will have his team primed and ready to go. Look for a big game from Black Wolves goalie Doug Jamieson, and Callum Crawford, Stephan Leblanc, and the rest of the offensive team.

Next… Kevin “Legend in mo own mind” Neibauer.

Pickem’s

New York@Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Philadelphia seems to be it together. The big questions entering the season was their defense and goaltending.

Thus far, both have been outstanding.

San Diego@New York

San Diego

The Seals have been stuck in neutral but, a tired Riptide team may just be what the Doctor ordered and New York suffers a lost weekend.

Buffalo@Colorado

Buffalo

The Bandits seem to be filling the holes created on offensive losses.

Colorado has come back to Earth after a strong start.

Chris Cloutier continues living up to expectations and Dhane Smith is too much for the Mammoth.

Halifax@Calgary

Calgary

Halifax won’t go undefeated and Calgary needs this win.

The home crowd is a much-needed boost for the Necks who pull out a close one.

Georgia@New England

Georgia

The Swarm is another struggling team. New England shut down the Philadelphia offense, only allowing a pair of second-half goals to Matt Rambo.

New England did just enough to steal an overtime win but, Georgia is also in a must-win mode.. For nothing else, to get confidence back.

Kevin Neibauer

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.

Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.

A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.