NLL Picks of the Week

The pack is close as usual and we move to another week in the NLL and our “experts”… forge ahead with another week of prognosis.

We start with the current standings.

Current records:
Steve          24-15
Shawn
Kevin
Gary.           23-16
Ross.          21-18
Susan.        18-18

We start in Philadelphia with Kevin M. Neibauer “It’s Always a Shooting in Philadelphia” Neibauer

Halifax@Toronto

Toronto

Adam Jones makes his return? And the battle of goaltenders should be epic.

Toronto hones it’s shot selections and zero in on Warren Hill. Low scoring affair that the Rock gut out.

Georgia@Philadelphia

Philadelphia

The Wings, despite playing lesser opponents are firing on all cylinders.

Zach Higgins has been the surprise of the season.

Miles and Lyle Thompson do not seem to be the same  dynamo as in years past. 

This will be another battle. Brett Hickey is the difference with a six point night.

Rochester@Buffalo

Buffalo

Shawn Evans makes his return to Buffalo and becomes… Shawn Evans… he lets his emotions take over and gets hit with a few costly penalties.

Buffalo… two words… Matt Vinc.

Colorado@San Diego

San Diego

Two “Where’s Waldo?’ Teams… a ton of talent but where has it been?

Dillon Ward may need to start scoring goals… Both teams battle but San Diego just needs it more.

Vancouver@New England

New England

All signs point to New England… Jamieson is beginning to feel it

Too much offense for the Warriors to control.

We stay in the Philadelphia area with Steve “Our resident bass player” Holroyd.

GEO @ PHL: The Wings have been on a roll…although that roll has included two wins against the hapless Riptide, and an anemic Vancouver side.  The Swarm, on the other hand, have finally woken up…and I tend to think “snip that ponytail” will still provide some real motivation.  WINNER: Georgia

HFX @ TOR:  The Thunderbirds are for real, full stop.  The Rock, after a week off, will be less than sharp…and are not at full strength.  WINNER: Halifax

ROC @ BUF:  Not even worth discussing.  The Bandits romp over the NewHawks at home.  WINNER:  Buffalo

VAN @ NE:  Back in the cozy tin can they call home, the Wolves of Color will want to get back on track, and will have a prime opportunity against a rudderless Warriors side.  WINNER:  New England

COL vs. SD at LV:  Sin City gets pro boxla, and neither team really has a home floor advantage.  The Seals had to struggle against the woeful Riptide, and the Wollies are hitting their stride.  WINNER: Colorado

We move to Canada and Susan “If I lived in Philadelphia, in Kensington, I would not need these drugs for my teeth”Walton … My picks this weekend 

Swarm vs Wings – Pick Swarm 

Rock vs Thunderbirds – Pick Rock (those birds will come to a downfall soon enough but they are hot and fun to watch)

Knighthawks vs Bandits – Bandits 

Mammoth vs Seals – Pick Mammoth 

Warriors vs Black Wolves – Pick Black Wolves

Good luck to everyone!

Staying in Toronto and Gary “slow Week, I only Worked 150 Hours” Groob.

Halifax @ Toronto 
Halifax wins. 

This team is for real!  With Kyle Jackson, Ryan Benesch, rookie Clarke Petterson, and Cody Jamieson, this team will get many opportunities at Nick Rose.  Jake Withers is, in my opinion, the best faceoff man in the game.
Toronto is still battling the injury bug, and even with Adam Jones back, he will need title to get back in the flow of things.

Georgia @ Philadelphia 
Philadelphia wins. 

Until someone knocks the Wings down, I will go with them.  Strong offense, good transition, stingy defense, and the best goaltending in the league has the Wings soaring…this team is starting to look like Paul Day’s summer team.. the Peterborough Lakers. 
Georgia finally got a win after a 3 game losing streak, but was it decisive…NO.
As the Thompson Brothers go, is how the Swarm go…Wings in a low scoring affair.

Rochester @ Buffalo 
Buffalo wins.

Rochester is improving every week, the players are buying into Mike Hasen’s system but….Buffalo is very strong on offense, good on D, and with Matt Vinc in net, a seven time goalie of the year…I think they are too powerful to lose to the Knighthawks. 

Vancouver @ New England 
New England wins. 

Timing is everything…the Black Wolves are coming off an overtime loss to Georgia, and are desperate to not let it became a habit.
Vancouver has been getting better, but are still a ways away from being competitive against this team.

Colorado @ SD
Colorado wins.

Too strong a team is the Mammoth bunch, and San Diego is still not 100% with injuries. 
Look for Joey Cupido,  in transition, to have a huge game.  Dillon Ward has been lights out in net, and will help the Mammoth to the win.

We head West to Saskatechewan and Shawn “it warmed up today!! It’s -350 degrees.. a damn heatwave”Slaght

 Halifax @ Toronto 
Pick – Halifax 

Halifax is proving they are a true contender. There are very few holes on this team. On the other hand, Toronto is struggling to find some consistency. I think Toronto can keep it close, but I don’t think they have the horses to win it.

Georgia @ Philadelphia 
Pick – Georgia

I’m just not sure how long the Wings can rely on goaltending alone. I feel this will be a true test of what the Wings are made of. Georgia has had its struggles this year but they are due for a bounce back game. I’ll go with the Swarm by a goal or two 

Rochester @ Buffalo 
Pick – Buffalo

Rochester will be its fair share of wins this year. They are definitely ahead of the other expansion team this season. Unfortunately, they aren’t at the caliber of the Bandits. I say it’ll be a close one until the fourth, when Buffalo pulls away.

Vancouver @ New England 
Pick – New England

I’m not even wasting my breath on this one. New England is vying for a championship, Vancouver is not. Blackwolves in a landslide.

Colorado @ SD
Pick – Colorado

VIVA LAS VEGAS!! The first NLL game in the Sin City. I don’t feel San Diego is that bad of a team, just bad luck. Between injuries and a tough schedule the Seals just can’t get anything going in a very competitive West Division. The Mammoth, on the other hand, are returning to the Colorado team we’re used to. I’m going with the Mammoth in a very close one.

We ventured to San Diego and Ross “This winter Has Been Brutal…I have only used three tubes of sunblock since October” McCullough

Halifax @ Toronto 
Pick – Toronto 
Nick Rose disables the Halifax onslaught, and Dan Dawson scores 4

Georgia @ Philadelphia 
Pick – Philadelphia
Matt Rambo, scores 8 points with 2 goals and 6 assists and Trevor Baptiste wins 75% of the faceoffs and scores 3 goals. Wings will be considered contenders after this game.

Rochester @ Buffalo 
Pick – Buffalo
Buffalo really is a superior team, Shawn Evans will get upset at losing and get in more fights.

Vancouver @ New England 
Pick – New England
Blackwolves will rundown and slaughter the hapless Warriors. Andrew Kew was the best thing that could have happened to the Blackwolves and he was handed on a platter in the draft.

Colorado @ San Diego IN LAS VEGAS
Pick – San Diego
San Diego has had its share of bad timing facing goalies that have games of their carriers, that all stopped last week when they faced Buque and the riptide. San Diego will continue and win this week. Colorado will continue its slide. Its going to be a nail-biter, but i think the Crowd will drive the seals to the win.

There you have it…the words of the prophets have been crayoned on the subway walls.