Upsets and late collapse were the flavor for last week.
Gary Groob continued with the hot hand and posted a 5-2 weekend.
Muffler Mike got back on the winning side of the ledger with 4-3.
Shawn, Ross and Kevin each went 3-4.
Ross continues to be the leader with a 38-15 number.
Shawn holds the runner up spot at 33-20.
Kevin and Gary moved to 30-23 with Muffler fighting back, 26-27.
We kick things off with Muffler Mike Kostiuk.
Pick Ems
ALB @ BUF
Albany. Going out on a limb, but I think the FireWolves use this weekend to right themselves and put the East on notice that they will be a playoff contender.
VAN @ CGY
Vancouver. This looks to be the weekend where the West Division standings show a noticeable schism between playoff teams and those looking to next year. I’ve been saying for a few weeks now that I believe the Wild Card playoff spot will go to a 5th team from the East, so Vancouver needs all the in-division insurance they can get to hold onto a playoff spot.
GA @ HFX
Georgia. Unlike the West, the East Division tightens up even more this weekend. Swarm pull out a close one to inch back toward .500 and the possible Wild Card spot.
TOR @ ALB
Albany. Finally, a chance to avenge the season-opening loss. This time, the FireWolves hold off the late rally to take both ends of a difficult doubleheader.
SASK @ COL
Colorado. Despite last week’s setback, the Mammoth are still relatively red-hot, while the Rush offense has gone M.I.A.
CGY @ PCLC
Panther City. Taking advantage of a team playing the back end of a doubleheader, the Panthers finally get their first-ever home win.
The Red-Hot Gary Groob checks in.
Albany vs. Buffalo
Buffalo wins.p
After a loss to Toronto, there is no way this talented squad drops a second straight game. Albany has had some good weeks recently, but a pissed off Bandits team is not what the doctor ordered.
Vancouver vs. Calgary
Vancouver wins.
I am convinced this Warriors team is for real. They have lots of scoring, and can play any style of game you throw at them. Calgary has been inconsistent, and still don’t know if their leader Curtis Dickson will be in the lineup.
Georgia vs. Halifax
Halifax wins.
Back at home in front if people, the Thunderbirds will be firing on all cylinders! Georgia has a great offense, but have been lacking on defense. Look for Cody Jamieson to have a monster night.
Toronto vs. Albany
Toronto wins.
A healthy Toronto team can beat anybody in the league, and Albany just doesn’t match up. Take into account they exhaustion factor after playing at Buffalo the night earlier, and the prognosis is not good for the FireWolves.
Saskatchewan vs. Colorado
Colorado wins.
I don’t have faith in the Rush after last week’s listless effort. Colorado has been getting scoring form everywhere, and goalie Dillon Ward has been playing spectacular this year.
Calgary vs. PCLC
Calgary wins.
Although Calgary hasn’t been consistent, the offense of PCLC has been miniscule at best. It will take a monster effort to get Panther City over the hump, and I don’t think this is the game that will happen.
Out West, We Start with Shawn
Albany vs Buffalo
Pick – Buffalo
Albany is coming in to play a wounded, angry animal. I can’t imagine the loss last week is sitting well with the Bandits. Albany is hot right now, but Buffalo will take it to another level this week.
Vancouver vs Calgary
Pick – Vancouver
I have to go with the team that has the momentum. The Warriors are coming off two blowout victories in a row and feeling pretty good. A statement game to show they are the real deal.
Georgia vs Halifax
Pick – Halifax
The Thunderbirds have had a few hiccups in the last few weeks, but this team is going to bounce back. Georgia, once again, is inconstant and you just don’t know what team will show up.
Toronto vs Albany
Pick – Toronto
I really feel for Albany. They are not a bad team, but drew a bad hand this weekend. Playing probably the best two teams in the league in back-to-back nights. They’ll keep it close in the first half, but tire out in the second half. The Rock will pull away with the win.
Saskatchewan vs Colorado
Pick – Colorado
This one is pretty simple. A struggling offence against one of the top goaltenders in the league. The Rush have put Austin Murphy back on the roster and had luck the last time that happened. I can’t see it happening twice.
Calgary vs PCLC
Pick – PCLC
I’m going out on a limb here. Calgary will be tired having played once already this weekend. They’ll be ripe for the picking. If Panther City has any opportunity to get its second win, this is it.
Next we go to San Diego and Ross.
Albany vs Buffalo
Winner – Buffalo
Bandits are going to be out for blood Albany is not as good as the they were when they were the blackwolves, very inconsistent without Crawford, look for more of the same, and besides Charlie Kitchen is unable to perform for the firewolves, I don’t know why I mention that I just really like his name. Buffalo signed Max Adler who isn’t a box player, just a Fogo one of the best at that.
Vancouver vs Calgary
Winner – Vancouver
Vancouver consistently scores a higher Metric than Calgary. The Magic 8ball says the Warriors go big. Warriors also get lucky, REALLY lucky so far this year expect that to continue at least for this game. What’s up with the Really cool names this year like Cole Pickup… The marketing department of the Roughnecks are missing out if you don’t have a big Truck rolling coal THROUGH a Oil rig, on a Tshirt.
Georgia vs Halifax
Winner – Halifax
Tbirds going to plow into a swarm team that is not in the greatest positions…Not much can Save the Swarm season as its halfway through and they give up way too many goals to be a contender.
Toronto vs Albany
Winner – Toronto
Look for Albany’s legs to fall off after a 1st quarter surge. Rock are going to come back and win. Tom “Captain America” Schriber is going to go off!
Saskatchewan vs Colorado
Winner – Colorado
Rush Seam to be in an unfamiliar position at the bottom of the west…. The only team worse is Panther City. Colorado is going to be pushing for 6th win.
Calgary vs PCLC
Winner – Calgary
Look will defy logic here Calgary will have recovered legs as they play Friday and then Sunday. Panther City has played 8 games, giving up 13 goals per game average. Roughnecks only give up 12.8… So honestly about the same. Calgary has better shooters. Sorry Panther City but if you’re going to win any more games you better bring some Consistency, not just a revolving door of players.
Last, but Least, On to Philadelphia and Kevin.
Albany-Buffalo
Buffalo.
The Bandits surely are not happy with the Overtime game and the defeat last week
Vancouver- Calgary
Vancouver
Two squads going in opposite directions..
Calgary never replaced Dane Dobbie and are paying the price. CDB will be quite busy in the Calgary nets
Georgia-Halifax
Halifax
Another team.suffering from inconsistency.
Georgia will keep it close but Halifax will feed off the crowd.
Toronto-Albany
Toronto
Sometimes you get a nice schedule, other times you get Buffalo and Toronto in the same weekend.
Tired legs don’t usually win games
Saskatechewan- Colorado.
Colorado
The Rush offense was last seen on a milk carton. Has the loss of Ben McIntosh hurt the offense this much?
Calgary-PCLC
PCLC
Calgary also has two games this weekend. PC will be rested and fresh
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.
