NLL Insider

Everyone knows that the Saturday of the Masters is known as, “Moving Day.” Well let this be now known as “Moving Week” in the NLL.  All six games are going to have some dramatic affect on the league and will allow us to separate the contenders from pretenders.

Everyone talked about parity coming into the season, but I bet not a lot people would have said that in Week 8, we would be seeing so many games have such implication on the league. The boys are going to have to bring their A-games for sure this week or there could be quite the shuffle in the rankings.

Who will show up in the battle of the bottom feeders in the Rose City? Edmonton badly needs this W to stay close to Portland.  ‘Cause honestly, I really don’t see either of these teams beating anyone else in the league save for a lucky bounce or an off night. I have a love for a lot of the players on both teams, so fellas; take this as fuel for the fire.

Can the return of Glenn Clark right the sinking ship that is HMCS ROCK? This team has been a flagship since it moved to the Gardens and lately it has been a shadow of itself. Tutka thinks Mr. 7-11 (Aaron Wilson – open all day and night) will have a big game. I hope he does too as I have him in one of my pools, but it’s going to take more that just him to get this going. What happened to big bad D of Toronto lore?  I think what the Rock need is a serious line brawl to spark this team! If they were to drop this one, the Titans win and Roch wins, TO could be a few spots away from the playoffs.

But the three big deciding games this weekend will all involve eastern teams! Sorry west, until somebody proves otherwise, it’s the Mammoth’s title to lose again. The Minnesota-Buffalo rivalry is turning out to be a great one every year. The past few seasons have seen the Bandits knock the Swarm out of the playoffs, but I absolutely love what Dewey is doing in the land of 10,000 lakes. Is there a more potent offense in the league comprised of guys all under 28? With the injury bug running through the Bandits, we could see Swarm jump to 8-0! Not bad for a 4th year team with not a “real superstar.”

A suspected Champion’s Cup matchup that has yet to fulfill its build up is the ‘Necks vs. Hawks games. Two teams struggling to find past success lighting the lamp will be on showcase this weekend. The unfortunate thing for the ‘Necks is they will be without Chugger for this game and give the nod to still unproven Ryan Avery. My guess, my boy #37 – Pat “Cannonball” Campbell, makes a triumphant return to Rochester, comes off the bench, stands on his head and steals one! Welcome back PC, show ‘em who you are buddy!

I know I left it till the end, but the Mammoth-Wings match up is one of the most intriguing of the season. Can the mile high boys keep rolling, with their “no-name” D? Can the W-I-N-G-S WINGS continue their early season roll, even though they have only played 3 games in the first 8 weeks of the season? A-I continues to impress getting a 6-point night, but the Mammoth are just too strong, and at home nearly unbeatable!

OK, so you all probably hate me for wasting the past five minutes reading this, but let’s be honest, this is a huge weekend! Both Minny and Colorado can separate themselves from the pack as other teams just try to hang on as the Undefeated Express (no Montreal pun intended) continues to gain momentum. So “Moving Week” is upon us. Who will make a statement this weekend?

London fog out!

Jenner is a two-time Mann Cup champion with six years of NLL experience. Email him at ted.jenner@nllinsider.com also follow the Coquitlam Jr. A Adanacs and the Intermediate A Adanacs live, as Teddy brings you color commentary with Brad Challoner for the Jr's and play by play with Brody Allen for the Intermediates -- http://www.junioradanacs.com/multimedia.php

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