Pick Ems

Kevin M. Neibauer LaxPhilly- A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network

A few teams with a new face or two and the final weeks in the East and the West are setting up for a fun finish.

A six game schedule on tap with a St. Patrick’s Day game in the West.

All five of us were on the winning side last week.

Ross, Gary and Kevin all posted 5-2 marks with Shawn and Muffler Mike throwing up a 4-3 record.

Ross climbs to a 54-24 mark. Gary and Shawn come in at 49-29 with Kevin showing 47-31 and Muffler Mike battling for a .500 mark with his 38-40.

To This Week…

We kick things off with former “Mystic”, Kevin “Got dem guys where I want ’em” Neibauer

Thursday evening we have Saskatchewan taking on Calgary.

Saskatchewan

Two enigmatic teams still hoping to keep playoff dreams alive

Calgary has been exhibiting positives in their last few games .

Offense is problematic. The Roughnecks may still be feeling from the loss of Dane Dobbie and cohesion have doomed this team.

Saskatchewan is struggling for an identity.

Wins are tantamount.

Vancouver-Colorado

Colorado

Vancouver got exposed by Toronto.

Colorado started out as a premiere squad but came back to earth.

Dillon Ward and Ryan Lee are the difference in this one

Georgia-Albany..

Albany

Albany is picking up their game and want to keep Georgia in the rear view mirror.

While Georgia seem to getting their offense straightened out, they just cannot get the best of Albany

Joe Resetarits, a legit MVP Candidate will show why. This one givesAlbany some breathing room between themselves and Georgia.

PCLC- Calgary.

PCLC

Calgary should have tired legs with this being their second game of the weekend.

PCLC have found their offense and have lit the lamp 37 times in their last two contests.

Rochester-Saskatchewan

Saskatwchewan.

As I said earlier, every game is a must win for the Rush.

Rochester, while not a bad team, will have their hands full in the backyard of the Rush

Finally, another important match up.

Colorado-San Diego..

San Diego.

Colorado will battle but, San Diego is the class of the West. Wes Berg scores three in a double digit Seals win

To the Great White North..

Gary “What? No Rock Game?” Groob.

Saskatchewan vs. Calgary

Saskatchewan wins

I am just not ready to write this team off yet. The Rush have a lethal offense, and mixed with a Calgary defense that hasn’t been great…Saskatchewan squeaks out a victory.

Vancouver vs. Colorado

Colorado wins

Vancouver was soundly beat last week by the Toronto Rock. Things that were exposed? Goaltending, loose balls, & faceoffs. The Warriors weren’t good at them. Colorado has been a strong team all year, and with Dillon Ward in net, Vancouver is in for another long night.

Georgia vs. Albany

Georgia wins

While Albany has had some really good games, the Swarm seemed to have righted their ship, and are now the team we knew they could be. Mike Poulin in net with his veteran leadership, as well as Shayne Jackson, Lyle Thompson, Jordan Hall, etc. The Swarm defense has been much better the last few games as well.

As a betting guy…TAKE THE UNDER!

Panther City vs. Calgary

Panther City wins.

This team has found its mojo, pretty much scoring at will in the last few wins. I think they can ride their win streak to four games in a row, taking advantage of a tired and depleted Calgary defense.

Rochester vs Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan wins.

This will be a scoring fest! Take the over!

Nothing pretty in this game…the team who has the ball last…wins!

Colorado vs. San Diego

San Diego wins

San Diego for the most part is rolling. Colorado played once already this weekend, and will be a step slower. This is all the Seals need to take advantage.

To the West

The pick ems leader, Ross “Never at a Loss for Words” McLoughln.

Saskatchewan vs Calgary
Winner – Saskatchewan
This Rush team gave San Diego EVERYTHING they had and lost in the final 2 seconds last week, if they come out again and play like that Calgary is in for a long night. Calgary has an anemic offense that can’t keep up with its defense, but it is do or die weekend for Calgary if they don’t win this game it is all over for them.

Vancouver vs Colorado
Winner – Vancouver
Must win game for both teams, Teams are starting to figure out Vancouver though and unless Vancouver gets Mitch Jones back soon they could be out of the playoff picture. Ok fine, let’s face it, unless Calgary pulls off a sweep this weekend Vancouver is still in it no matter the outcome of this game. But a win here will bring the Warriors to 6 wins 6 losses on the year. A place they really need to be in.

Georgia vs Albany
Winner – Albany
One of these teams will be a .500 team after the end of this, the other will not. In this rubber match, the 3rd game they have played against each other expect it to get heated. Neither team can afford a loss but Albany is rolling. The Firewolves sure do bring the Fire or at least a lot of smoke when they play teams with better standings than they do.

Panther City vs Calgary
Winner – Panther City
Panther City proved they can score goals, A LOT of goals. That is not something Calgary has really proven since the loss of Dane Dobbie to free agency. PC owner Bill Cameron wanted this rivalry and this game is going to deliver. Both teams are evenly matched up but the 8 ball starts pointing at PC when you consider Calgary is going to be banged up after playing the Rush 2 days before.

Rochester vs Saskatchewan
Winner – Saskatchewan
Rochester does not stack up well against even a tired Rush team. I dont think the Rush are bad but they are missing a few pieces. Trading away Shawn Evans is not going to help.

Colorado vs San Diego
Winner – San Diego
San Diego has Colorado’s number; it’s not 687-5309, nor is it Transylvania 6-5000. But the Seals have only lost one game to the Mammoth ever, and I don’t think the Second game they drop will be in this game. Mammoth will try and come out strong against the slow starting Seals, but once the Mammoth get tired the Seals will begin rolling.

Staying in the West and Shawn “Hoping for a Birthday gift from the Rush’ Slaght.

Saskatchewan vs Calgary
Pick – Calgary
The Roughnecks always seem to have the Rush’s number. The Rush have always had issues defending against the transition, which Calgary loves to exploit. I’m thinking Calgary by at least a couple of goals.

Vancouver vs Colorado
Pick – Vancouver
I still get the feeling the Mammoth are overachieving, and on the other side of the floor Vancouver is showing they are the real deal. It’ll be a close one, but the Warriors will bring home a close win.

Georgia vs Albany
Pick – Albany
Georgia has been looking good as of late, but inconsistency has been a big issue all season. Albany is in a battle for the playoffs, so I can’t see them letting off the gas.

Panther City vs Calgary
Pick – Panther City
PCLC is starting to gel, which is bad news for those battling in the basement of the West Division. The Roughnecks’ first game against Saskatchewan is going to be physical and they’ll be beat up and Panther City will take advantage of that.

Rochester vs Saskatchewan
Pick – Saskatchewan
Getting back at the SaskTel Centre is just what the doctor ordered for the Rush. They feed off the energy of that crowd. Saskatchewan is having its troubles, but Rochester is in shambles right now.

Colorado vs San Diego
Pick – San Diego
If it weren’t for the fact that this was Colorado’s second game of the weekend, I’d honestly think long and hard about the Mammoth pulling off the victory. The fact is they are going to be a tired team against a strong, rested Seals squad.

Back to the East

Back East and Muffler Mike “Right to the Point” Kostiuk.

SASK @ CGY
Calgary. Roughnecks ride the feel-good wave of a St. Patrick’s Day game to keep the Rush in the West Division basement.

VAN @ COL
Colorado. Vancouver will once again be out for payback, but the Mammoth simply have the Warriors’ number this year.

GA @ ALB
Albany. Though I fully expect the league to snub him for no valid reason, I must say it: Joe Resetarits for MVP – that is all.

PCLC @ CGY
PCLC. The Panther offense is clicking, the Roughnecks defense will not be on the back end of their doubleheader.

ROC @ SASK
Saskatchewan. The Rush are playing for pride at this point. Knighthawks will keep it close, but the home crowd goes home happy as a doubleheader split is salvaged.

COL @ SD
San Diego. Even with both teams being active at the trade deadline, there’s nothing to suggest the Seals won’t have the West Division wrapped up by Easter.

There you have it!! Get your bets in early…

Come Monday, the playoff pictures could be made clearer,or, not.

Either way, stick with LaxPhilly- A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network, for recaps of every game and assorted NCAA contests.

Pick Ems…the boys are back