By: Andy McNamara – Staff Writer
An incredibly busy weekend across the National Lacrosse League as Week 8 delivers seven games. As we approach the midway point of the season this is where teams can start to separate themselves for better or worse.
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. Mia 14 7 —
2. Shanny 14 7 —
3. Tyson 13 8 1
4. Andy 12 9 2
Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.
Georgia Swarm (5-1) at Toronto Rock (4-1) – Friday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
Top spot in the East and best record in the NLL is on the line as the Swarm and Rock meet for the first time this season. Georgia’s goalie Mike Poulin was pulled early last week and lost his previous start, while Toronto’s Nick Rose is number one in the league for GAA and save percentage. Both teams can score, but I’ll take the Rock’s superior defense here.
Pick – Rock
Mia
This is probably the toughest game to pick all weekend. Both teams have been on fire as of late but Toronto’s defense has been getting better and better each week. Yes the Swarm have a slew of offensive powerhouses, but something tells me Nick Rose will be able tough to get past, especially on home turf and during his bobblehead night.
Pick – Rock
Tyson
Pick – Rock
Shanny
Pick – Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #GEOvsTOR
New England Black Wolves (2-4) at Buffalo Bandits (1-4) – Friday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
This is a season defining weekend for these clubs as a sweep either way could wipe the other out of the playoff race. The Bandits lone victory came at home while New England is winless on the road. Buffalo also has the benefit of being rested up off the bye week.
Pick – Bandits
Mia
I have a feeling the Bandits are going to come out fired up in this one. With fresh legs post bye week, and playing against a team that has struggled on the road I have to go with Buffalo taking this one.
Pick – Bandits
Tyson
Pick – Black Wolves
Shanny
Pick – Bandits
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #NEvsBUF
Toronto Rock (???) at Rochester Knighthawks (2-4) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
Second game of a back-to-back are never easy, nevermind when it’s on the road in a building that has historically not been friendly to the Rock. For the Knighthawks, former NLL Transition Player of the Year is looking much more comfortable with his new teammates and the trio of rookies keep getting better. I’m going to count Rochester’s usually strong defense giving up an insightly 21-goals to the Rush last weekend as a hiccup.
This division rivalry is always intense. The score will be low with the Rock running out of gas late, allowing Rochester to sneak by.
Pick – Knighthawks
Mia
The Rochester Knighthawks are such a tricky team right now. They have moments of brilliance and then slumps, and it is because of their inconsistency I have to go with the Rock. Sure the Knighthawks proved me wrong last time, let’s see if they can make it 2-for-2.
Pick – Rock
Tyson
Pick – Rock
Shanny
Pick – Rock
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #ROCvsTOR
Colorado Mammoth (4-3) at Saskatchewan Rush (4-2) – Saturday, 8:30pm ET
Andy
Colorado’s netminder Dillon Ward shut up to third spot in my ”NLL Goaltender Power Rankings” so I don’t think we’ll be seeing another 20-plus goal outburst by the Rush like we saw this past weekend. Mammoth are battlers, but the roll Saskatchewan is on and the fact they’re at home on a Saturday night…no way I’m betting against the Rush.
Pick – Rush
Mia
I have a feeling this will be another close one. Colorado has quietly sneaked up in the standings, but the Rush are playing like a team that has won back to back championships and I can’t really see anyone stopping them with how they are performing right now.
Pick – Rush
Tyson
Pick – Rush
Shanny
Pick – Rush
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #COLvsSAS
Vancouver Stealth (2-5) at Calgary Roughnecks (3-3) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
The Stealth is in full free-fall mode, losing five straight after a hot 2-0 start. Calgary has something to prove coming off of a defeat at the hands of the visiting Rock and I have no confidence in Vancouver right now.
Pick – Roughnecks
Mia
This is a must win game for both teams, but despite how strong Vancouver has been upfront, their defense has been lacking. Calgary has more of an all around game right now, and I expect their vets to step up big after falling in the division.
Pick – Roughnecks
Tyson
Pick – Roughnecks
Shanny
Pick – Roughnecks
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #VANvsCAL
Buffalo Bandits (???) at New England Black Wolves (???) – Sunday, 1pm ET
Andy
Black Wolves are a totally different team on their home turf and Buffalo has been unable to convert a ”W” on the road. The second of two meetings this weekend ends in a split as each club continues to try and keep pace in the East.
Pick – Black Wolves
Mia
I gave the first game of this home and home to the Bandits, but this one I have to give to the Black Wolves. They have been perfect so far at home, and I feel the 7th man has been a big part of their wins so far this season. Something about playing at the Mohegan Sun.
Pick – Black Wolves
Tyson
Pick – Black Wolves
Shanny
Pick – Black Wolves
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #BUFvsNE
Rochester Knighthawks (???) at Georgia Swarm (???) – Sunday, 6:05pm ET
Andy
The Swarm are always dangerous, but take it to another level when in Georgia where they are a perfect 3-0. Rochester will be coming off a hard fought battle with Toronto the night before and then have to jump on a plane down south for this matchup. Everything points to a big Swarm win here.
Pick – Swarm
Mia
Georgia return home and I feel their veteran presence will be too much for the young Knighthawks squad. Unless Rochester figures out how to play a full 60 minutes this season, it is going to be tough for them to beat a team like the Swarm.
Pick – Swarm
Tyson
Pick – Swarm
Shanny
Pick – Swarm
Tweet @NLL your prediction using #ROCvsGEO
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.
