NLL Insider

My picks are late this week because I’ve spent most of Friday traveling from Toronto to San Jose for the Saturday TV game between the Stealth and the Calgary Roughnecks. Shortly after arriving I met up with a couple of NLL referees (Chet Couture and Grant Spies) for an early dinner as they had tickets for the Friday’s hockey game between the Sharks and Ducks. I mentioned in an previous article how Canadians like to compare everything to hockey and if it helps entice hockey fans to take a look at lacrosse I’m all for it. For example most of you know that my brother Brendan is a hockey star. Derek Keenan is married to Joe Nieuwendyke’s sister. The Buffalo Bandit’s John Tavares is the uncle of perhaps the best 17 year old hockey player in the world, John Tavares Junior ( nobody calls him “John Tavares Junior” but I declare that all lacrosse fans must call him this in honor of his uncle). Well Chet Couture’s son , Logon, is a first round draft choice of the San Jose Sharks. He’s still playing Junior hockey in Canada but may get a chance to join the Sharks when his playoffs are over.

When I got back to the Hotel there was a message on my machine from Chris Hall. He and his wife Pam, were driving back from a golf vacation in Palm Springs and decided to stop in San Jose to catch the lacrosse game. Now that’s a diehard lacrosse guy when you fit lacrosse games into your vacation.  I went to his room to find the Halls along with part of the San Jose coaching and management all watching the Toronto Rock Edmonton game on Chris’s laptop.

All this is to explain why I didn’t get my prediction blog in on time. So far I am 1-1 on the weekend. I correctly picked Toronto over Edmonton and was wrong on the Portland Colorado game. I was a little surprised at how easily Toronto handled Edmonton but they must be happy with the contribution of Matt Taylor who scored 3 goals in his first game of the season. How does it feel for Brian Langtry in Colorado? He has a career night with 9 goals, yet he can’t enjoy it because his team lost the game 16-15 in Portland.

Toronto at Buffalo: Toronto probability played their best game of the season this year when they defeated the Bandits 11-8 on February 15^th at the ACC. Throughout the history of the Toronto franchise the Rock has dominated the Bandits, especially in Buffalo. Even last season when the Rock finished a dismal 6-10, they still beat the swept the 10-6 Bandits. But history is history and I can’t see the Rock matching up against the Bandits. The Bandits have overcome injury problems that would have decimated most teams and they have become a more confident stronger team because of it. Unless Watson puts on another MVP performance, the Bandits will take this game against the tired Rock.

Calgary at San Jose: These two teams met twice early in the season with each team winning the road game. Since the last meeting , in which Calgary won 16-13, the Stealth have gone 4-3 while the Roughnecks have been 3 and 5 - and have been terribly inconsistent. The latest report is that Kelusky will not be playing. The Roughnecks have officially stated that they are resting him for the playoff run but the unconfirmed reports are that he suffered another concussion. I’m sure there will be a lot more talk on this one later. Take San Jose to win this one for a share of first place.

Chicago at Rochester. The Shamrox are going nowhere this year and coach Jamie Batley is probably feeling like a beaten man. The danger for Rochester is that Chicago has nothing to play for now except the pride goes along with being a spoiler. Even though Batley coaches many of the Rochester boys in the summer league, he would love to take down the Knighthawks with him. After last weekend’s loss Rochester better get off to a good start because they are a group that has a fragile confidence at best. Having said that I’ll still pick Rochester.

Philly vs. New York (at Trenton New Jersey). I have not convinced myself either way in this one. New York has played tremendously well since losing 4 in a row after their season opening victory. After their fourth loss the Titans have won 4 of 5 with the only loss coming to the Wings in Philadelphia. Philly has been the class of the league so far this year but the Titans have been strong in every aspect of the game after their poor start. Their offence is good and athletic (like Philly), their defense is mobile and tough, goaltender Matt Vinc hay played very well. They are also the only team in the league with a faceoff man (Jamie Hanford) who will give Snider a good battle. As far as Philly goes, I think I’ve given up on any one stopping Iannucci but they have to show me they can play as well on the road as they have at home before I am convinced they are the favorite to win it all. I’m taking Philly in this one.

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