NLL Playoffs Round One: Recaps

What an exciting night in the NLL! I was there first hand to see the Orlando Titans beat out the Boston Blazers in a thriller, 12-11. Here are your recaps:

* Toronto beat Buffalo, 13-11

* Edmonton beat Calgary 11-7.

* Washington beat Minnesota 14-10

* The Titans did a great job of containing Dan Dawson all night, only allowing one goal from the Blazers superstar. Meanwhile, Casey Powell scored five goals and lit up the Blazers defense.

* Matt Disher stopped 60 shots for Edmonton, leading them to their first playoff win ever.

* Ryan Ward had eight assists for the Rush

* Rhys Duch scored six goals for the Stealth.

* Stehphen LeBlanc scored five goals for Toronto.

* Games next week will be Toronto @ Orlando at 7:35 pm and Edmonton @ Washington at 10:30.

* Predictions: Edmonton and Toronto win.

NLL Playoffs Scehdule and more

The NLL playoffs begin Saturady and I will be at the Blazers-Titans game, so the live thread will be without me this week.
Here is your playoff schdule:
Rush @ Roughnecks 3:00 pm
Blazers @ Titans 7:35 pm
Bandits @ Rock 7:35 pm
Swarm @ Stealth 10:30 pm

Here are my picks for these games, you can make yours in the comments:
Blazers over Orlando- The Blazers have the Titans number all season
Rush over 'Necks- I really like the Rush this year
Rock over Buffalo- This pick seems easy
Stealth over Swarm- Another gimmie

I pick the Rush to beat the Rock for the NLL championship game, which, by the way, will be aired on Versus according to an NLL press release.

NLL Playoffs Set

The NLL playoffs where finalized last night, with Buffalo and Boston getting the final bids. Buffalo beat Boston 13-9, clinching them a playoff spot and a shot at the Toronto Rock. The Blazers clinched when the Washington Stealth beat Rochester 14-9, knocking the K'Hawks out. The matchups are as they follow:

Buffalo(3) @ Toronto (2) Saturday
Boston(4) @ Orlando (1) TBA

Edmonton(3) @ Calgary(2) Saturday
Minnesota(4) @ Washington (1) Saturday

The Edmonton Rush made the playoffs for the first time in their history. The Roughnecks are the defending champions, and the Titans the defending East Division champs.

NLL Week 16 Picks

I missed last night's games, with Orlando and Calgary winning. I would have picked those two teams anyways.
Tonight- Boston @ Buffalo- Boston
Orlando @ Minnesota- Orlando has nothing to play for, and they can't risk injury, while Minnesota would look to enter the playoffs on a high note- Minnesota
Rochester @ Washington- Rochester

Chat about the Games here!

NLL Games Open Thread

Chat about tonights games between the Orland Titans and Phildalphia Wings, plus Calgary Roughnecks vs Colorado Mammoth.

NLL Inside the Teams- Toronto Rock

The Rock started off this season 6-1 and soaring. Then they went on a five game losing streak, and everything went downhill. The bandits and Blazers overtook them in the Eastern Division. Now after clinching a playoff spot, the Rock have a good shot to go far. They will play either the Knighthawks, Blazers, or Bandits. Here is an in-depth look at the Toronto Rock:

Season schedule: January 9: Win @ Boston
1/15: OT win vs Boston
1/23: win vs Rochester
1/30: Loss at Rochester
2/5: win vs Philadelphia
2/6: Win @ Buffalo
2/12: win vs Edmonton
2/14: Loss @ Calgary
2/12: loss @ Edmonton
2/27: loss vs Orlando
3/12: OT loss vs Buffalo
3/27: loss @ Orlando
4/2: Win vs Calgary
4/3: Win @ Philadelphia
4/10: Loss @ Buffalo
4/16: Win vs Rochester

Rock Roster:
Jeff Gilbert F
Sandy Chapman F
Colin Doyle F
Creighton Reid F
Brandan Doran F
Pat McCready F
Mike Hobbins F
Anthoney Lackey F
Garret Billings F
Rob Marshall F
Blaine Manning F
Stephn LeBlanc F
Phil Sanderson F
Cam Woods F
Josh Wasson F
Kasey Beirnes F
Scott Campbell F
Stephan Hoar F
Geoff McNulty F
Drew Petkoff F
Mike Hominuck F
Bob Watson G
Steve Dietrich G

Rock facts:
Bob Watson was goalie of the year in 2008
The Rock have won championships in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005
They are formerly the Ontario Raiders

NLL Game Recaps

The Blazers won a key game this weekend with Rochester and Buffalo losing. A win or Rochester loss next week gets them into the playoffs. The Orlando Titans clinched the number one seed in the east, while The Mammoth where officially eliminated. The rock clinched a playoff berth.

Notes:

* The Rush beat the Stealth in OT, which means a Roughnecks and Stealth loss next week gives them the number one seed in the west. They finish their season 10-6.

* Geoff Snider scored four goals for the Wings in their win over the Minnesota Swarm. John Christmas had the hat trick for Minnesota.

* Buffalo suffered a tough loss to Orlando, which means next week's game vs Boston is a must win.

* Toronto absolutely dominated Rochester, which means they clinch a playoff spot. A win and a Buffalo loss, and the Knighthawks make the playoffs.

* Nick Rose, the backup goalie for Boston, was spectacular at the end of the game. Anthony Cosmo was ejected for illegal equipment in the third quarter.

*Josh Sanderson scored the hat trick and a game winner in OT for the roughnecks vs the Rush.

Next week is the last week of the regular season! Boston plays Buffalo, Orlando plays Philly, Calgary plays Colorado, Rochester plays Washington, and Orlando plays Minnesota.

Week 15 NLL Picks

Here are my predictions for this week's games:

Buffalo Bandits @ Orlando Titans
This is an interesting game. Buffalo could use the win, and Orlando can clinch a playoff spot. I say Buffalo pulls this out. Bandits

Boston Blazers @ Colorado Mammoth
Again, this is a game the Blazers need. Colorado is fighting Minnesota for a playoff spot though. I say Boston wins. Blazers

Rochester Knighthwaks @ Toronto Rock
The Knighthawks could easily find themselves in a playoff position with a win. I say Toronto wins a tough game in OT. Rock

Calgary Roughnecks @ Edmonton Rush
I love the Rush. They've played well, so I'll take them over the newly clinched Roughnecks. Rush

Philadelphia Wings @ Minnesota Swarm
The Swarm are falling out of playoff contention fast. I say they're swoon continues with a loss to Philly. Wings

Edmonton Rush @ Washington Stealth
A good matchup here. I think the Stealth win here. Stealth

Make your predictions at the comments.