NLL Insider

Well I’ve somewhat recovered from yesterday’s run that had me gasping and coughing worse than a chain smoker, but I’m back and better than ever, so lucky for you guys.

Anyways, not gonna waste your time, gonna get straight into how the East is lookin’ like as of today…

Minnesota Swarm (8-4 overall, 6-4 division)
Looks like that mid section of the season where Minny got nailed with some injury problems and were playing below par mighta happened at the perfect time. The Swarm O definitely looked like they were back on their game in the win over New York, especially in clutch situations. The Swarm really made a name for themselves in the early part of the year, cashing in late and securing wins. That’s the magic they seemed to have again this past weekend. If they keep building off this past weekend’s win, they could be on that climb that has them peaking right when the post-season hits. Another stinker during this last quarter of the season might shoot them back down the chemistry totem pole. With the way they played in that fourth period against the Titans though, you gotta think they’re back to kinda where they were at the start of the year. Their two shorties with Noah Talbot in the box were pretty sick too. That’s the kinda balls out stuff they’ll need to build off of.

Philadelphia Wings (8-4, 6-4)
These away games really seem to be hurtin’ these guys. They were on cruise control during their front heavy first half, but 1-4 on the road over the stretch. Coincidence? I actually think it might be just that, a coincidence. Whether teams are pullin’ up their socks a bit more when they play these guys this year after that crazy o-fer run or just bad luck, I don’t think what turf these guys play on has as big a bearing on their play as their record would suggest. One of their biggest wins of the season came on the road, their 15-13 win over the Mammoth in the mountains. They brought some new bodies into the mix and are probably re-gelling right now, plus not having T Wray and Nads in the loss to Chicago definitely didn’t help. I say they go at the worst 2-1 to close out their road travels and make an example outta Portland this coming week. I’m even gonna go out on a limb and say Nooch ties Gait’s record on Friday night, breaking it with his first goal against Minny on Saturday. This is a big weekend to reestablish themselves as the team that had everyone dropping a deuce in their drawers to start the season.

Buffalo Bandits (8-5, 6-5)
I know they’re not the tops in the East, dropped one between the sheets against TO two weeks back, but I gotta tell you, I am loving the way this team is built for a serious Cup run. Doesn’t seem to matter who they have between the pipes, they are getting great starts outta both Mike Thompson and Kenny Montour (for the most part). Although most say they think Buffalo lost the Mike Accursi for Dan Teat (and multiple picks) swap, I think if you breakdown that trade and only look at this season, the Bandits would easily come out on top (just look up the sick games Mike had in last year’s post-season, he was my playoff MVP fave). And I think this year, it’s all about, well, this year. It’s obvious Darris wants a Champion’s Cup this season, and nuthin’ short of it will be deemed a failure. They’re goin’ for broke this year folks, and I think they definitely have the legs to make a good, long run. Can easily see ‘em closing out their regular season with three straight too.

Toronto Rock (7-6, 4-6)
Due to their Canuck connection, think the Rock are pretty lucky to get as many West battles as they’ve gotten this year. Was just rifling through their results and they by far have the most games against teams on the other side of the league, well at least so far they have. Their 4-6 East only record is just a game better than last place Chicago and are actually 1-3 in their last four against Eastern based clubs. Can’t think that record bodes well for them (hopefully) heading into the post-season. Like I mentioned Monday, don’t think gassing Greg Van Sickle will do much for their struggling O game. I gotta say too, you don’t usually see just one assistant coach gassed in any sport, especially this late into a regular season. It’s usually the head honcho alone, or him and his boys gone. Weird timing on the blockbuster trade deadline deal and weird timing on this recent axing. Not saying they were bad moves, just oddly timed moves, that I can’t see doing much for their post-season aspirations.

New York Titans (6-6, 5-5)
Still seem to be most people’s dark horse to not only nab that four spot but also make some noise once they get through the door. They got out played against Minny when it mattered most, and ya gotta think they’re kickin’ themselves for not capitalizing on that Talbot penalty at such a crucial time in the game. Actually, think this year I’ve seen more five minute majors end up helping the team that got nailed with the call versus the other way around. Killing five and scoring twice on it like the Swarm did is one of the biggest confidence builders you could ask for. They’ve got a reasonably tough four to close the year out with and a doozey against the K’Hawks in their last one. You’d have to think they need at least two, maybe even three W’s outta this final stretch. Their season may come down to a winner takes all finale against Rochester in MSG. Could be a crazy night and a classic NLL showdown.

Rochester Knighthawks (6-7, 5-5)
Whether they catch that last spot or not, think we’ll see some pretty major changes this coming off-season in Rochester. They’ve really looked outta sync on O this year and the rumor all year has been that a number of key guys on that O are clashing somethin’ fierce. Something’s gotta give. With that said, most people I’ve been talking to seem to feel that if they do sneak into the post-season, the boys will pull it together and be a serious contender for a Cup win. The ownership issue that NLL Insider first reported on seems to have hit a bit of a snag, but it also sounds as if a resolution isn’t far off either. We’ll have more on that as we hear how things are shakin’ out.  

Chicago Shamrox (4-7, 3-6)
Another monster win for Chicago that actually still has them mathematically in the post-season hunt. Sounds like the team is just takin’ things one game at a time and are gonna let the chips fall where they may. There seems to be a belief with that team that just wasn’t there before. The buzz is that Brad Self will make his first appearance for the Shamrox this weekend now that his hockey season in Germany has come to a close. It’d be a huge plus if the team could ever get him playing a full season with the Rox, but for now, they’ll at least have him for another five games (maybe beyond). They’d need something like a 5-0, maybe 4-1 run, to close out the year to even get a sniff at the playoffs, but with the way they’ve been comin’ up beyond clutch of late, wouldn’t rule ‘em out just yet. They’ve got Toronto and New York over their next two. Two wins there and ya never know. It’d have Chicago at 6-7, Toronto at 7-7 and NY at an identical 6-7 too (not factoring in those teams non Chicago games over the same stretch though, so they could be better or even worse). But hey, ya never know, right?

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