By: Andy McNamara – Staff Writer
The Swarm look to remain the only undefeated team in the National Lacrosse League, while just about every other franchise jostles for position within their respective divisions. It is setting up to be an exciting Week 6! Watch all the action starting Friday evening on NLLTV.com.
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.
Team Wins Losses GB
1. Shanny 9 4 —
2. Mia 9 4 —
3. Andy 7 6 2
4. Tyson 7 6 2
Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.
Buffalo Bandits (1-3) at Toronto Rock (2-1) – Friday, 7:30pm ET
Andy:
This game starts and ends with the back end for me. Both teams have shown they can score, but it’s Toronto that comes out on top in defense and goaltending. Nick Rose is tops in the NLL with a 8.33 GAA and second in save percentage at .800. Compare that to Buffalo’s Davide DiRuscio who’s ninth in GAA and fifth in save percentage. In the Rock’s three matchups they’ve held the opposition to single digit output twice, while the Bandits are giving up an average of 14.5 goals per game over their four contests.
Pick – Rock
Mia:
Before I even get into my picks this week, disclaimer, this was the toughest week yet. With the divisions so close games can really go either way at this point, but here we go. I am going with Toronto in this one. Both teams are going to be hungry after a loss last week, but I think right now the Rock has a stronger back end and I think defense will be key in a win here
Pick – Rock
Tyson:
If the Rock are able to put together a full 60 minutes of lacrosse, they won’t have an issue with the Buffalo Bandits. They’re young, quick, hungry, and they’ve got what it takes to improve to 3-1 on the year. They’ve also got the edge with Nick Rose in goal, who has allowed single digits in two out of three games this season. Expect the Rock to bounce back this week.
Pick – Rock
Shanny:
Pick – Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #BUFvsTOR
Rochester Knighthawks (2-2) at New England Black Wolves (1-3) – Friday, 7:30pm ET
Andy:
Tough news for the Knighthawks that Cody Jamieson re-aggravated his knee injury in the win over Toronto and will need to undergo season ending ACL surgery. However, Rochester has already won twice without Jamieson (he left in the 1st quarter Saturday) and do have veterans Dan Dawson as well as Andrew Suitor back in the lineup.
Rookies Kyle Jackson, Josh Currier and Dan Lomas are playing exceptionally well, and I haven’t even mentioned the defense. The ‘D’ looked like they did in their championship seasons and Matt Vinc was lights out against the Rock. The Black Wolves rose to the occasion a week ago in front of a sold out home crowd, but I think the K-Hawks deliver.
Pick – Knighthawks
Mia:
After seeing what New England was capable of doing at home last week I think the team will bank on that momentum. Vet leaders like Kevin Crowley and Shawn Evans really stepped up to the plate. Plus, they have one of the best face off guys in the league in Jay Thorimbert allowing New England to control the ball right from the faceoff.
Pick – Black Wolves
Tyson:
The New England Black Wolves were embarrassed in the first game of their season. Too many trips to the penalty box ended up really costing them against a Knighthawks squad whose PP unit was dialled in. I envision the Black Wolves not making the same mistake twice. Players like Kevin Crowley, Shawn Evans, and Pat Saunders came alive in the game against the Bandits, and these are the players that will help elevate the Black Wolves over the Knighthawks in Week 6.
Pick – Black Wolves
Shanny:
Pick – Black Wolves
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #ROCvsNE
Saskatchewan Rush (2-2) at Calgary Roughnecks (3-1) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy:
Pretty much a pick’em here. Each of these clubs have been red hot and Calgary hasn’t lost since Week 2. The Rush were slow to start, but I felt that once they got that first win it would be hard to stop their momentum. Frank Scigliano is a perfect 3-0 inbetween the pipes for the Roughnecks, while Aaron Bold and the Saskatchewan ‘D’ are looking like his championship selves over their past two contests. I’m looking forward to kicking back with a cold one and watching the fireworks here.
Pick – Rush
Mia:
The hardest pick of all, but I am going with the Roughnecks in this one. I haven’t seen a hole in their game since they got Frank Sciglinano back between the pipes. This will be their toughest opponent to date, but they are hungry to pull away from the west pack.
Pick – Roughnecks
Tyson:
THAT’S IT! After two weeks of betting against the Roughnecks, I’m finished. This team is a contender. Work from the back to the front… Frank Scigliano: solid. Defensive unit: solid. Offensive unit: rock solid. The Roughnecks are a tough team to play against, and while the Rush have had their number since April of 2015, I think the time to win is now for Calgary.
Pick – Roughnecks
Shanny:
Pick – Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #SASvsCAL
Georgia Swarm (4-0) at Colorado Mammoth (2-3) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy:
No matter how hot a team is it’s always tough to play in the Pepsi Center at Colorado. However, the undefeated Georgia Swarm are playing at elite levels in all aspects. The Swarm are averaging an incredible 16 goals per game and possess a top tier goalie in Mike Poulin to slow down any opposing attack. Until they lose I have to go with Georgia.
Pick – Swarm
Mia:
How can you not pick them at this point. In the last game they had three players earn a hat trick, the have weapons up front, on defense, Mike Poulin has been stellar in net, plus Colorado is still missing some key members on their squad.
Pick – Swarm
Tyson:
What can I say? With few cracks in their game… I think it’s going to be extremely difficult to knock this team down. The Swarm have too many weapons… I can’t even begin to imagine what this club would be doing with Jesse King in the line-up.
Pick – Swarm
Shanny:
Pick – Swarm
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #GEOvsCOL
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.
