Justin Ivey, NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Week One: 1-2
Week Two: 2-1
Week Three: 3-2
Week Four: 4-1
Week Five: 4-1
Week Six: 4-3
Season Total: 18-10
What a weekend! Across the board we were graced with exciting lacrosse games. My most erroneous picks of the weekend merit an apology. I am sorry San Diego fans and players. I did not think the expansion team would mesh so well to beat Calgary at home on Friday, and then come through again on Sunday and beat Vancouver on the road. In fact, with the way Calgary has been playing, I had them 2-0 for the weekend, but instead they dropped both. The only other game I picked wrong, I am actually happy with the result. The Colorado Mammoth, in their fourth consecutive home game to start the season, finally found a way to win. On the good pick side, I correctly called Georgia dropping both games they played – a loss in Toronto Friday, and a loss in New England on Saturday. The #1 team in the East entering the weekend dropped to #4 with the two-loss weekend. Also, I was only one goal off from calling the final of Buffalo and Philadelphia. Overall, I still hold my head high. Let’s see if I can keep it going this weekend.
Toronto Rock (4-1) at Philadelphia Wings (0-5)
Saturday, January 26 at 7:00 PM EST
Toronto really flexed their muscles last weekend holding the high-flying Swarm offense to just nine goals. In fact, the defense held Georgia to zero goals in the first quarter. I do not have the stats in front of me, but that must be the first time in a while that Georgia put up a goose egg for a whole frame. Philadelphia is struggling everywhere but the face off circle. Their closest loss of the season though was against this Toronto team in Toronto on January 4th. Crowley has had some more time with the team and I just have this feeling inside that this is the week. Philadelphia gets their first win.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Score: Toronto-12, Philadelphia-14
Buffalo Bandits (4-1) at Rochester Knighthawks (1-3)
Saturday, January 26 at 8:00 PM EST
Buffalo is so hot right now. Shawn Evans is tied for the league lead with 37 points (11G, 26A). They’ve won their last three games outscoring opponents 43-24 over the span. The tear they are currently on comes to a challenge this week when they visit their rival Knighthawks just up the street. Rochester has been struggling. After winning their first game, they have dropped three straight and haven’t mustered more than 10 goals in a night. A win would be a possible turning point in the season, but I don’t see it happening. Buffalo continues their dominance.
My Pick: Buffalo
Score: Buffalo-16, Rochester-10
Colorado Mammoth (1-3) at Vancouver Warriors (1-5)
Saturday, January 26 at 10:00 PM EST
Four teams make the playoffs from each conference at the end of the year, which means one of these two struggling teams gets in. This game could help determine a tiebreaker if both continue to under perform. Colorado won their first game last week, and Vancouver has dropped four straight since winning opening weekend. In that span, Vancouver has not scored over 10 goals. Colorado beat a Calgary team that before last weekend looked strong. Both teams have struggling goaltenders and in all honesty this game is a toss-up. Just don’t expect it to be high scoring…
My Pick: Colorado
Score: Colorado-11, Vancouver-9
Saskatchewan Rush (3-1) at Georgia Swarm (4-2)
Sunday, January 27 at 4:05 PM EST
The last two champions meet for a match up that is sure to be the highlight of the weekend. Saskatchewan’s only loss was their first game of the season in New England. Ben McIntosh is on fire. Georgia had an uncharacteristic weekend dropping two straight, but both were on the road. They are undefeated at home and I expect it to stay that way.
My Pick: Georgia
Score: Saskatchewan-14, Georgia-17
Buffalo Bandits (?-?) at New England Black Wolves (3-1)
Sunday, January 27 at 6:00 PM EST
New England hosts Buffalo for the back end of the Bandit’s two game weekend. Last year, Buffalo blanked New England in the season series winning all three games. The Black Wolves are playing like they have a chip on their shoulder. They are winning close games and are scrappy when needed. Their only loss was the season opening game in Georgia, and they just returned the favor last weekend. I think this game stays close, but New England once again pulls through.
My Pick: New England
Score: Buffalo-12, New England-14
Justin Ivey, NLL Correspondent
Lacrosse is Awesome©