Game Picks: Nll Week 13

By: Andy McNamara – Staff Writer

There six games on the National Lacrosse League docket for Week 13. This is also the last slate of match-ups before Monday’s NLL trade deadline and we could start to see some clarity in playoff positioning after all is said and done.

This season NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Mia Gordon, Tyson Geick, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week. Here are the standings so far:

Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.  Tyson 24-22

Toronto Rock (6-5) at Georgia Swarm (8-3) – Friday, 7:35pm ET

Andy

What a thriller this first meeting was back in Toronto between these two! A pair of late goals forced a heartstopping overtime finish in favor of the Swarm. This meeting is in Georgia and both clubs have gotten healthier. I see this being a one or two goal game, but until the Swarm lose at home, I’m not betting against them in their own building.

Pick: Swarm

Mia

I don’t know what it is about the Hive, but the Georgia Swarm don’t seem to lose at home. With the added power of Myles Thompson and Randy Staats to the lineup last week, they were looking like the hottest team in the league yet again

Pick: Swarm

Tyson

Toronto gets a boost with Sorensen and Evans back in the lineup which should serve them well. I think this team wants to hand the Swarm their first ‘L’ at home on the year. Last game was so close and the Rock were literally seconds away from the win. That loss will be fresh in their minds.

Pick: Rock

Shanny

Pick: Swarm

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #TORvsGA

Calgary Roughnecks (4-8) at Saskatchewan Rush (7-3) – Friday, 9:30pm ET

Andy

I feel the Roughnecks will get a victory this weekend…it just won’t be against the Rush who have a 5-0 record in Saskatchewan. Off of a bye week, the Rush know they need to keep surging Colorado at bay for top spot in the West. Sask wins their second in-a-row.

Pick: Rush

Mia

Another team that is undefeated at home is the Saskatchewan Rush. Something about playing in front of a sold out Rush nation crowd has this team pumped up. Calgary is still struggling with starts and I feel that is something Sask will capitalize on.

Pick: Rush

Tyson

I think this team’s bye week came at the right time. They’ll be headed back into their home barn where they haven’t dropped a game this season, hungry for another win. A playoff clinching couple of wins are on the line for this team this weekend. I will say, the Roughnecks do always play to the level of the Rush, so this should be a close one.

Pick: Rush

Shanny

Pick: Rush

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #CALvsSAS

Vancouver Stealth (5-7) at Toronto Rock (???) – Saturday, 7pm ET

Andy

Both of these clubs are actually better playing on the road. However, against all logic the team that is playing in game two of a back-to-back seems to always come out on top this year in the NLL. Barring injury, the Rock will have Brock Sorensen and Turner Evans back for the second time this weekend. Toronto’s stingy defense should slow Vancouver’s offensive threats so i’ll go with the Rock at the ACC.

Pick: Rock

Mia

The first home and home between these two teams will see the offensive power of the Stealth up against the strong defense of the Rock. I am pretty torn on this one because I feel Tye Belanger is going to have a comeback performance after last week’s tough loss, but at the same time if history has taught us anything, it’s that the team with the double header usually has the stronger second game.

Pick: Rock

Tyson

Time for Vancouver to figure out their problems against the East this weekend and get back on track. This team needs the playoffs, bad, and with the Roughnecks struggling, they need to take advantage. Travel excuses need to be put aside, and all of the team’s difference makers need to be ready to play.

Pick: Stealth

Shanny

Pick: Rock

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #VANvsTOR

Buffalo Bandits (5-6) at Rochester Knighthawks (4-8) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET

Andy

Records and location mean nothing between these two New York state rivals. When these two franchises last met on March 4th it was a 9-8 OT slugfest that went in favor of the Knighthawks. This tilt will also be in Rochester and I see the K’hawks pulling out another low scoring win

Pick: Knighthawks

Mia

The Buffalo Bandits seem to be gelling at the right time, and with their key players back from injury their offense is looking the best it has all season long.

Pick: Bandits

Tyson

They’re getting things figured out, slowly, but surely. I think having won 4 of their last 5 will give the team some confidence.

Pick: Bandits

Shanny

Pick: Bandits

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #BUFvsROC

Saskatchewan Rush (???) at Colorado Mammoth (7-6)- Saturday, 9pm ET

Andy

After a home date Friday, Saskatchewan travels out the next night to the always rowdy Pepsi Center in Colorado. The Mammoth are within striking distance at 1.5 games back of the Rush before these Week 13 matchups. Dillon Ward was next level sensational in Colorado’s win over Toronto a week ago and I see them making this West Division title race very interesting.

Pick: Mammoth

Mia

Another tough choice. While Sask has won the two previous meetings, they have both been in Saskatoon, now the team heads to Colorado for the third and final meeting, and this is a team that has struggled on the road so far this season. With Noble and Greer back for the Mammoth, plus their strong Pepsi Centre support, I feel they may be able to avoid the sweep.

Pick: Mammoth

Tyson

The Mammoth need a regular season win against the Rush, and I could very well see these two clubs meeting in the post-season. The Mammoth are coming off of their best team game of the year and they’ll need to take it to a tired Rush team.

Pick: Mammoth

Shanny

Pick: Rush

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #SASvsCOL

New England Black Wolves (6-6) at Calgary Roughnecks (???) – Saturday, 9pm ET

Andy

New England is a different team away from home, and granted they have improved greatly as of late I’m leaning towards the Roughnecks here. They are in a dog fight for a playoff spot in the West and can’t afford to be swept this weekend. Factor in the emotional high of Tracey Kelusky being honored and I’m picking Calgary.

Pick: Roughnecks

Mia

The Calgary Roughnecks have all the pieces of the puzzle, they just haven’t been able to put those pieces together, but I think this might be the night they do just that. This will be a must win for the Roughnecks and a special night for them as they honor Tracey Kelusky. I think the club may be able to feed off that energy and get the ‘W’.

Pick: Roughnecks

Tyson

Pick: Black Wolves

Shanny

Pick: Black Wolves

Tweet @NLL your prediction using #NEvsCAL

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.