NLL Insider

It’s almost like no one wants to win this thing. Yours truly and Ty Pilson are tied again up at the top of the standings with 29-17 records and even though Brian Shanahan is bringing up the rear with a 23-23 record, he’s just six games out of it. The rest of the staff packs up the middle like a tight penalty-killing unit, but a 5-2 weekend for Paul Tutka was prolly the most impressive of the bunch last week. So what’s up for Week 9? Read on to find out who has what to say about what.

	Chavez 29-17	Pilson 29-17	Kojima 27-19	Tutka 25-21	Ward 25-21	Jenner 24-22	Shanahan 23-23
Friday
MIN @ TOR
PHI @ EDM
Saturday
CAL @ NY
MIN @ BUF
SJ @ BOS
TOR @ ROC
PHI @ POR
Sunday
SJ @ NY

Minnesota at Toronto

“This Rock team is getting better while the Swarm continue to struggle. Minny’s offence is a big concern and just can’t seem to generate enough goals. Scoring by committee is not working this season. For that reason, I give the edge to the Rock.” _ Ty Pilson

“If the Rock brings the game they had last week against Buffalo, they win this one easily.” _ Bob Chavez

“Toronto played well offensively against Buffalo and did well defensively until the wheels feel off late with some botched assignments on Steenhuis and JT. Minny is struggling too much for me to take ‘em in this one, but with the way the NLL plays out from week to week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Swarm win again in TO here.” _ Paul Tutka

“Other than the embarrassment in Buffalo, the Toronto Rock has not been that bad this year.” _ Brian Shanahan

Philadelphia at Edmonton

“The Rush are starting to gel as a team and after squeaking out a win at home over Colorado, I think they’ll increase the Rexall Place win streak to two.” _ Ty Pilson

“The Rush need home wins in a bad way! Philly does look to have a healthy AI back but I think the Rush build off their win over Colorado last week and win another!” _ Ted Jenner

“Both teams had big confidence-boosting wins, but I was more impressed with Philly last week than I was with Edmonton, who still struggled to post too many goals in their W over Colorado. I’ll take the Wings with Nooch finishing with at least another hat trick.” _ Paul Tutka

“This is a huge game for the Rush as they’re looking draw fans with a $1 ticket promo and deliver them the thrill of victory. Will they? Philly also needs a win to keep pace out East and has a better transition game.” _ Steve Kojima

Calgary at New York

“New York has Casey Powell back and Calgary’s little blip (2 losses) will become a three-game slump.” _ Brian Shanahan

“This game starts at 12:30, but it’ll be 9:30 on the body clocks for a lot of the Roughies. That’s rough, man.” _ Bob Chavez

“I haven’t been bucked off the Necks wagon just yet, not after just two one-goal losses against a couple (at the time at least) hot teams. Apparently Powell was banged up to the point he couldn’t play last weekend. A high pressure, in your face, not-gonna-give-you-a-second-to-think Calgary D isn’t gonna make life any easier on the MVP contender. Shooter with upwards of seven helpers as Calgary takes this one by a good three-goal margin” _ Paul Tutka

“After blowing back-to-back fourth-quarter leads to lose two straight games by one goal, all’s not well in Roughnecks land. The team’s offence was abysmal in the final frame of Calgary’s loss to Boston, making bad passes and taking some terrible shots. I expect a much better effort against the Titans. It’s gut check time for the Roughnecks.” _ Ty Pilson

“Calgary has lost two straight and head out on a big road trip. The Titans just don’t seem to be slowing down. The ‘Necks could take this one if it turns rough and the Titans will win the track meet. So let’s toss a coin … looks like the ‘Necks win.” _ Ted Jenner

“New York could go 2-0 or 0-2 this weekend. Will be interesting to see how they respond to two teams who have the ability to match their athleticism.” _ Steve Kojima

Minnesota at Buffalo

“I almost took TO last week but had to go with Buffalo. I was kicking myself when Toronto took that lead before Steenhuis flipped the switch again, but the Bandits know how to win in any situation this year and obviously did it again at the ACC. I hate to go against Minny cuz I’ve been a big fan of theirs for the past couple years, and I never woulda guessed they’d have a potential 2-7 record staring them in the face, but I gotta go with the boys in orange.” _ Paul Tutka

“Even though they lost a squeaker to the Bandits in Minnesota earlier in the year, the Swarm has had their confidence shattered since that point.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Facing their Easter foe, the Swarm are in tough and could be in trouble of losing their sixth straight game. Unfortunately for them, the Bandits aren’t exactly going to roll out the red carpet. The Bandits flex their muscle and beat up on a tired Swarm team.” _ Ted Jenner

“Buffalo at home? Gotta take the Bandits. That said, I hope Ken Montour has earned his starts and Buffalo puts in a complete effort. Minny will be in desperation mode.” _ Steve Kojima

San Jose at Boston

“This one was a toss up for me. After seeing Boston live, I’m sold on this team. The Blazers offence moves the ball and finishes well, the defence plays smart and they’re getting solid goaltending. San Jose was my pre-season favourite to finish first in the West and looked great beating Colorado. My gut says take Boston, though.” _ Ty Pilson

“Boston is playing a team concept system that is just killing teams right now, but San Jose was also pretty impressive last week against the Mammoth. Matt Roik played some really clutch ball late in that game too, and if they can get a similar performance from Roik, then think the Stealth can take this by a goal or two. Gotta start making up some W’s too, and think most Insiders will go with the Blazers, for good reason, so gotta go agaisnt the norm.” _ Paul Tutka

“SJ heads out on a huge two-game road trip and the question is will they be able to solve their former teammate Anthony Cosmo? I don’t think so – the Blazers are playing absolutely amazing right now and Tom Ryan has to be the odds on favorite for coach of the year at the half way point.” _ Ted Jenner

“Both teams looked really good last weekend. Lots of good story lines here, too, including Cosmo versus his old team, DDD vs. Doyle, plus a look at the ROY race with Veltman and Duch.” _ Steve Kojima

Toronto at Rochester

“Toronto has never won a regular season game in Rochester … sooner or later, you know Toronto has to end their record of futility.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Did you see that insane goal Bobby McBride scored last week? He burned his man, went MJ through the crease, pulled a fake in the air, and then hit nuthin’ but net. That and Nooch’s goal were for me, the best of the best last week. Either way, McBride in the lineup gives the Hawks an element that the Rock have had trouble containing. I’ll take the K’Hawks with at least five goals coming outta their own end.” _ Paul Tutka

“A huge eastern battle with two teams that battling for that last play-off spot. A fresh Hawks team will show that the trade for Point and Hill was a great move and they will beat the Rock at home.” _ Ted Jenner

“Take into account how Toronto plays Friday, but Rochester is on a semi-roll and they won the first clash between these two teams.” _ Steve Kojima

Philadelphia at Portland

“Think a lotta Insiders will go against Portland due to their layoff. Even though the Wings’ O finally seems healthy and hitting good form, I think Disher continues the pace he set for himself and the Jax edge out the Wings in what could be the best game on the sked this week.” _ Paul Tutka

“Portland only plays twice in 6 weeks so they should be very fresh. The Wings will be making the short trip from Edmonton but the size of the Jax will be too much for them to handle.” _ Ted Jenner

“Portland has been one of the bigger surprises of the season as they are playing better this year than they did in the regular season last year.” _ Brian Shanahan

” Provided the ‘Jax aren’t too rusty early, think this is a good opportunity for them to remind fans how good they can be. First quarter action will be key.” _ Steve Kojima

San Jose at New York

“Both teams playing their second of the weekend. Both teams will be coming off games against pretty athletic up tempo teams. Really think this one could go either way, but I’ll go with New York because I really loved that chick named after the city in Flavor of Love. Go journalism!!” _ Paul Tutka

“New York has been good this season but they have rarely shown dominance.” _ Brian Shanahan

“Battling two of the top 3 Eastern teams is never easy, especially on back-to-back nights. NY gets back-to-back home games so I wonder if this will help boost some fan support. The Stealth will be hungry to play well against the Titans and this will be an absolute track meet. I’d love to see the Stealth steal one but the Titans will just be too strong in the latter stages of the game and split their home games.” _ Ted Jenner

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