Week 3 Pickems

After week two, the Wizard of San Diego, Ross McLoughlin had another big week and went 6-1 to raise the bar with his 11-3 record.

Shawn Slaght battled to claim an 8-6

“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk, after a big first week went 2-5 to claim a 7-7 record.

The Pride of Toronto, Gary Groob, joins “Muffler” with their 7-7 mark.

The Philadelphia Phlash, Kevin Neibauer continued to under achieve and brings up the rear with an underwhelping, 5-9.

So, on to week three

Let’s Get the Jinx of the East, Kevin Neibauer Kick things off.

Colorado-Panther City

Colorado

Panther City held in against Philadelphia. They may do the same in this one. PC doesn’t have the weapons or the goaltending to get the best of Colorado.

San Diego-Calgary

San Diego

The return of Austin Staats gives the Seals one more weapon in theirarsenal.

This figures to be a rough, entertaining tilt but, Calgary doesn’t match up well with team San Diego. A four goal difference in this one.

Rochester-Albany

Albany

New name, New building.

With the departure of Evan Kirk, Rylan Hartley gets a baptism of fire. It should be a raucous crowd for the Albany debut in front of their new and relocated fans.

Joe Nardello dominates from the “X” and Albany breezes.

Philadelphia-Toronto

Toronto

Tom Schrieber continues to have the hot hand and the Rock defense put together a strong performance despite a high scoring contest.

Finally, Saskatchewan-Vancouver

Saskatchewan

This is not your normal Rush squad. Vancouver has opened a lot of eyes with their 2-0 start.

Division games are always a battle and this will be no exception. The Rush are desperate for a win and find a way to get one.

Out to Canada and Gary Groob

Colorado vs. Panther City

Colorado wins

Colorado has made me a believer that they are a force in the West. Panther City has had a disappointing start, but are having growing pains. Although at home, I still feel Colorado is too much for this young team to handle.

San Diego vs. Calgary

San Diego wins.

While Calgary played a great game against Saskatchewan last week, I think the Dane Dobbie effect will bite them this week. This is the first game Dobbie is playing against his former team, and I think he has the game of his season here.

Saskatchewan vs. Vancouver

Vancouver wins.

Saskatchewan is not the team they once were. Their goaltending has good, but not great, and Vancouver has been an extremely hot team this year.

The Warriors have Bal, Bell, Dinsdale, and Loewen for a very balanced attack, and a rejuvenated Alex Buque in net has been nothing short of spectacular this year.

Philadelphia vs. Toronto

Philadelphia wins.

Tom Schreiber has had a great start to the year scoring 8 goals already, bit the rest of the Toronto offense still needs to gel. What has hurt them is losing their transition game (with both Dominey, and Edwards going to New York). Young players like Aaron Forster, Josh Jubenville, and Justin Scott are starting to feel comfortable but still need a bit of time. The Wings have a veteran lineup, with Kevin Crowley, Brett Hickey, Matt Rambo, Corey Small, etc. Throw in the best faceoff man in the league in Trevor Baptiste and you see the Rock will have their hands full.

This will be the game of the weekend!

Rochester at Albany

Albany wins

With the Knighthawks losing Evan Kirk for the season due to work commitments, this is Hartley’s big opportunity to shine, but it is a tall order against a strong Albany team that took Toronto to the limit in their first game of the year.

Andrew Kew, Tony Malcom, Reilly O’Connor, Joe Resetarits, and Jacob Ruest lead a balanced attack. They FireWolves have both speed and grit, and can play any style that the Knighthawks want to play.

This is the FireWolves inaugural home opener in Albany…expect a very quick start from them!

Staying in the East and “Muffler”Mike Kostiuk

Muffler’s Week 3 Pickems

COL @ PCLC
Colorado. Yes, the Mammoth looked terrible last week, but Panther City looked only marginally better in their Week 2 game. The difference here will be Dillon Ward bouncing back to form against a Panther offense still trying to figure out its identity.

SD @ CGY
San Diego. This one will likely be a shootout, with Dane Dobbie going off on his former team.

SASK @ VAN
Vancouver. Even though the Rush have played two close games, the Warriors use their home opener game to make a statement that they no longer plan to be the doormat of the West Division.

PHI @ TOR
Philadelphia. How anyone is not including the Wings among the elite offensive units of the league is a mystery to me. I think they overpower a young and slightly undermanned Rock defense to get a vital road win.

ROC @ ALB
Albany. Departure of Evan Kirk aside, the FireWolves will be all too eager to avenge their last-minute Week 1 collapse against Toronto and give their new fanbase a happy send-off in their inaugural home opene

Back to West and Our Resident Magic 8 Ball Guru, Ross “Take it to the Bank” McLoughlin

Colorado vs. Panther City

Winner Colorado

Panther City has had a rough start, Colorado is going to rebound from the SHELLACKING they took last week at the hands of the Seals. Expect PC to keep it close, but Zed Williams is not going to be shut down 2 weeks in a row.

San Diego vs. Calgary

Winner San Diego

If last week wasn’t enough proof that San Diego is for real, we’re going to have a repeat. The Dickson Brothers won’t be able to complain to the refs enough to make a difference. Everyone thinks that Dobbie is going to be such a factor, but I disagree, I think the Roughnecks will shut him down and not focus on the rest of the very DANGEROUS Seals offense. The Seals have too many weapons to try and shut down just one guy.

Saskatchewan vs. Vancouver

Winner Vancouver .

Vancouver has a revamped Defense with McIntosh and Bowering on the team, then add in the 50+lbs that Buque seems to have added, putting the netminder at north of 350lbs. It’s a combination that so far has made a difference. I don’t see how the Rush are going to be able to out-score the Vancouver offense.

Philadelphia vs. Toronto

Winner Toronto

Magic 8 ball says Toronto, and although I want to disagree, the Wings have a lot of weapons, I think that Nick Rose is going to have a great game and they are going to shut down Rambo and Company.

Rochester at Albany

Winner Albany

Joe Nardella at faceoff, not sure what else I can say that will make this not look lopsided. Firewolves are going to pump out the Goals, and pick apart Hartley.

Finally, We Stay West with the Three Digit Wonder, Shawn Slaght

Shawn’s pickem

Colorado vs Panther City
Pick – Colorado
Look for a bounce back game from the Mammoth this week. Yes, they were embarrassed against San Diego last week, but playing Panther City is just what the doctor ordered. Panther City has been competitive but eins are going to be hard to come by.

San Diego vs Calgary
Pick – San Diego
Two teams I’m not sure what to make of. One game they are world beaters, next minute they look awful. I think that the Seals hold a slight edge in this one.

Saskatchewan vs Vancouver
Pick – Saskatchewan
Plain and simple, the Rush can’t get into a goaltending duel. I get the feeling the high-powered offence comes to life and beats Buque early and often. Buque has played well, but he’ll fall back down to earth.

Philadelphia vs Toronto
Pick – Toronto
Game of the week. There are no doubts these teams are contenders. Higgins bailed out the Wings last game, but that’s not sustainable for success.

Rochester vs Albany
Pick – Rochester
The exact opposite of the Philly/Toronto game. These are two teams trying to stay out of the basement. Rochester had shown flashes of brilliance, so I’ll go with the Knighthawks.