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I think I like this being-in-charge thing. Last season, I was left in the dust with these staff pick ‘ems but this year’s looking a lot better. I’m not one to toot my own horn and a one-game cushion really isn’t anything to get all amped up about, but I’m definitely gonna enjoy this target on my back while it’s there.

Pilson, Shanny and Tutka aren’t all that far behind me so I’ve gotta maintain, especially when Jenner, Kojima and Ward aren’t really that far off the pace, either. So at 15-8 overall, alone I stand. The nice thing about this week’s picks is that there really isn’t a consensus game outside of any game Buffalo’s involved in. Have you ever seen a team more dominant right out of the gate? The Banditos have it all and as Tutka points out in his pick, they win no matter what’s thrown at them. Read on to check out what the rest of our staffers have to say about the weekend and who they picked.

	Chavez 15-8	Pilson 14-9	Shanahan 14-9	Tutka 14-9	Jenner 13-10	Kojima 13-10	Ward 13-10
Thursday
BUF @ EDM
Saturday
EDM @ SJ
POR @ BOS
TOR @ ROC
NY @ COL

Buffalo at Edmonton, Thursday

“Bandits in full stride right now and their goaltending is incredible. Rush offence better with Benesch, but not up to that challenge.” - Ty Pilson

“Just when you think you have the Bandits pegged, they find another way to win. This team is simply too good on all thirds of the floor to pick against them.” _ Bob Chavez

“The Bandits are just too good and too deep for the Rush to contain.” _ Ted Jenner

“Dietrich will probably put on a show but I expect more of the same of what we’ve seen from Buffalo, minus maybe a mid-game slump.” _ Lauren Ward

“I really think that Edmonton has a good chance to take this one but I’ve got to stick with the Bandits till they lose.” _ Brian Shanahan

“(Buffalo) is just so strong, so deep and are not only winning the high scoring games, they pulled out the close one last week too. They know how to win no matter what is thrown at them.” _ Paul Tutka

Edmonton at San Jose, Saturday

“The Rush have responded twice this year after a loss and think this team has shown a lot of character when their backs have been against the wall (in 09). I’m taking Buffalo on Thursday night, so think the Rush come back in Cali with a real sense of urgency.” _ Paul Tutka

“Edmonton’s O led by Teat and Benesch step up, and they compete like they did last Saturday – or SJ gets good goaltending, great offensive play from Zywicki.” _ Steve Kojima

“I’ve been making excuses for San Jose since the start of the year. The season will slip through their hand if the Stealth don’t take this one.” _ Brian Shanahan

“I don’t like picking Edmonton to go 0-2 this weekend and I really liked what I saw from Chris McKay and the D last week but to top SJ they’ll likely need a lot more than the 10 or so goals they’ve been putting up.” _ Lauren Ward

“As strong as the Stealth are, I just don’t think their team chemistry is back and who starts in goal?  Rush win a close one.” _ Ted Jenner

“I love the talent on the SJ roster, but they’re all still learning each other and my gut tells me Edmonton is on the cusp of great things. A Rush victory could really solidify their run at being a contender.” _ Bob Chavez

“Rush have tough travel night/day after what will be hard game against Bandits. Too big a hill to climb for Hamley’s improving club.” _ Ty Pilson

Portland at Boston, Saturday

“Boston won a couple over weak Philly side to raise some eyebrows. Portland too big and strong for expansion side and defence knows Dawson well.” _ Ty Pilson

“Boston’s weekend sweep was impressive, but the Portland defense is a bit different than the Philly defense. Keenan and his Jax staff will know how to put some clamps on Dawson and the Jax have been getting great play in goal.” _ Bob Chavez

“Will somebody other than Cory Conway step up for the Jax? I say no and yes … but the difference will be Cosmo standing on his head as the Blazers win 3 in a row” _ Ted Jenner

“Boston’s offense and Cosmo roll with last week’s momentum – or Portland, statistically third-best in the league for goals against, plays great D and receives production from their O and transition again, in an upset.” _ Steve Kojima

“Yeah the Jax probably know quite a bit about Dawson, as pointed out by Ty “sends his picks to everybody and then I cheat off them” Pilson, but they know the Dawson of ‘08 and from what we’ve seen so far I’d say his game has evolved. Boston in a wild one as their unpredictable offense confounds the Jax giants.” _ Lauren Ward

“A little confidence (plus Dan Dawson & Anthony Cosmo) can go a long way.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Don’t think the Blazers are getting enough credit for that sweep of Philly last week. Sure the Wings looked weak on O, but Boston looked really, really, really good all over the rug. If Daws can dish off the rock before getting crunched by the Jax hard hitting D, then think Boston takes this one. If Portland wins though, it’ll be all Dish in the W.” _ Paul Tutka

Toronto at Rochester, Saturday

“Pat O’Toole looked great last week and think he carries that confidence into this weekend. Guessing Toronto will have a host of changes on the floor, which might spell chemistry issues. I’ll take Rochester simply on Paddy’s slick play in his return.” _ Paul Tutka

“The Rock is a good team, so let’s see it.” _ Lauren Ward

“Rochester finally wins one in desperation with solid ‘tending by O’Toole and goals from Evans, Gait – or Toronto scores like they did in their opening win (15 goals) and Watson responds because it’s a crucial game.” _ Steve Kojima

“The Rock players need to impress their new coach.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Will the Batley era reign supreme in Toronto? Is this Paul Gaits last game if the Hawks loose? History tells us that no matter what happens it will be an awesome game to watch but I think the Rock are that much better than the Hawks this year and a fire sale will ensue along the Genny River. Rock win!” _ Ted Jenner

“Things look better for the K-Hawks with O’Toole back, but Toronto wins this battle of struggling offences.” _ Ty Pilson

New York at Colorado, Saturday

“Everything, including common sense, says the Titans will win this one. That said, Colorado will be motivated not to lay another stinker at home which will be difference.” _ Ty Pilson
“The Titans are playing some unreal lacrosse and Casey Powell is putting up some insane digits this year. But pride overmatches skill and the Mammoth win one in front of a raucous Pepsi Center crowd.” _ Ted Jenner

“Colorado at home used to be the safe bet but with any given member of the Titans offense always ready to explode for five goals I can’t give the Mammoth another pick based on past performance.” _ Lauren Ward

“It continues to unravel for the Mammoth.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Even if they somehow isolate Powell, New York has just too many weapons offensively to be completely held off the board. The Titans sport a heavily underrated D too, which sees a reeling Mammoth O that is likely learning a new O system over the past couple weeks. I’ll take New York with Jordan Hall blowing things up on the scoresheet.” _ Paul Tutka

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