A four-pack lines up Week 9 in the National Lacrosse League.
It’s a big weekend for the West Division. The Rush find themselves on double duty, while Calgary and Vancouver both try to capture a second win. Toronto’s attack will be one to watch as the Rock are scoring at a ridiculous rate and look to create some separation atop of the East.
NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Tyson Geick, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week.
Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.
Saskatchewan Rush (5-1) at Colorado Mammoth (4-1) – Friday, 9:30pm ET
Andy
Round one of this western back in mid-January wasn’t as close as I thought it would be as the Rush laid the smackdown in Denver. Since then both these clubs have remained two of the best in the NLL and I’m expecting a much closer matchup.
Saskatchewan’s been cutting close the last couple of weeks and I get the feeling Colorado is going to avenge that previous home loss.
Pick: Mammoth
Tyson
This team has had not one, but two collapses in as many weeks. I don’t expect them to make it three. This team will be focused on a full 60 minutes of lacrosse against Colorado.
Pick: Rush
Shanny
Pick: Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #SASvsCOL
Calgary Roughnecks (1-5) at Toronto Rock (4-2) – Saturday, 7pm ET
Andy
The Rock’s offense is averaging an obscene 20.5 goals per game over their last four contests. All of those were victories. Despite a disappointing record, Calgary has been getting better and came within a whisker of defeating the Rush this past weekend. Saturday night won’t be nearly as close for the Roughnecks as the Rock’s collect a comfortable “W”.
Pick: Rock
Tyson
I have no reason to bet against the Rock right now. This team is red hot. They’re getting strong goaltending, their defense has been solid, and don’t get me started on that offense. Make it five straight for the Rock.
Pick: Rock
Shanny
Pick: Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #CALvsTOR
Buffalo Bandits (3-3) at Rochester Knighthawks (2-4) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
I love these New York state battles between Buffalo and Rochester. The standings never matter and the energy of this rivalry always shines through. This is an important game for both clubs. A win for the Bandits pulls them into third place, while a successful Knighthawks outing ties them with Buffalo.
Each team is coming off of a bye as the Bandits return from a thrilling comeback OT victory against the Rush, while the K-Hawks were edged by New England. Buffalo feels like the more cohesive unit right now so i’ll pick them on the road.
Pick: Bandits
Tyson
This team needs to stop the bleeding, now. They can’t afford to slip in the standings anymore. Their bye week will have helped them, and I turn to Rochester in this one based on goaltending. Matt Vinc has the serious edge.
Pick: Knighthawks
Shanny
Pick: Knighthawks
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #BUFvsROC
Vancouver Stealth (1-6) at Saskatchewan Rush (?-?) – Saturday, 8:30pm ET
Andy
If my Friday prediction was correct and the Rush narrowly lost in Colorado then they’ll be extra motivated returning to the friendly confines of Saskatoon. The green and black rarely drop consecutive games. Vancouver showed on one occasion this season that they can jump and sting an unsuspecting opponent so Saskatchewan certainly cannot take the visitors lightly.
However, the Stealth are 1-6 so no matter what the outcome is the day before I’m taking the Rush.
Pick: Rush
Tyson
The Stealth are making improvements every week, however, I think the Rush will be able to feed off of the crowd at the SaskTel Centre and come up with a big win.
Pick: Rush
Shanny
Pick: Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #VANvsSAS
Andy McNamara has been a play-by-play commentator for the NLL on TSN, NLLTV.com, and world lacrosse tournaments since 2011. He’s also a sport talk host and anchor on TSN 1050 sports radio. Follow Andy on twitter @AndyMc81.
