All Lacrosse All The Time’s Weekly NLL Pick ‘Ems – Week 2

Picture of Gary Groob

Gary Groob

Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media. An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to "grow the game", Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history. Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse, Ontario Series Lacrosse, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, CUFLA, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them. In the year 2019, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page "Global Lacrosse" with a membership of 14,000+ members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022 with a membership of 19,000+. Gary also has been the media person for Ontario Series Lacrosse (Senior B) since 2023. Mr. Groob also covers the Green Gaels for their excursions to Prague at the Ales Hrebesky tournament since 2022. In 2024, when Major Series Lacrosse was in need of a media person, Gary stepped in as their interim media person. His tasks were running their social media, as well as their website until a full time person was found to fill the role. In 2025 Gary was voted onto the Board of Directors for Ontario Series Lacrosse. Mr. Groob hosts a weekly lacrosse interview show formerly on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, now on StreamPunkEnt.com, Youtube, as well as Spotify. Groob also hosts a lacrosse talk show and podcast for All Lacrosse All The Time seen live Sunday nights at 8pm (ET), and archived on the All Lacrosse All The Time YouTube page, as well as Spotify. Gary also wrote a weekly lacrosse editorial column for La Portada Canada News both in print and online for three years from 2021-2024. In 2025, Mr. Groob joined the ownership ranks, becoming a minority owner of StreamPunk Entertainment, ensuring Lacrosse will always have voice in media. Gary was voted onto the board of directors as the social media director for Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) in November of 2025. In 2026 Mr. Groob was nominated for the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, made a voting member of the NLL media, was put as a voting member in the Ales Hrebesky Tournament awards, and was nominated for the Tom Borelli Award as media person of the year for the NLL. Mr. Groob's other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.

The All Lacrosse All The Time Crew is back with their Playoff Pick ‘Ems

Playoffs Week 1:

Gary…………………3-1
Shawn……………..0-4
“Muffler” Mike…1-4
Caden………………2-2
Pat…………………..0-4

Playoff Year To Date:

Shawn……………..0-4
Gary…………………3-1
Caden………………2-2
Pat…………………..0-4
“Muffler” Mike…1-3

Total Year To Date:

Shawn……………..79-51
Caden………………77-53
Pat…………………..74-56 
Gary…………………72-58
“Muffler” Mike…..71-59  

Playoffs Week 2

“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk:

Game 1: San Diego at Toronto

San Diego. Much has been made of the officiating error that led to the game-winning goal over Colorado last weekend. What isn’t seemingly being discussed is the possibility that the Seals use the vitriol being sent their way by detractors as fuel to galvanize themselves further and prove everyone wrong. I think San Diego comes together under fire to take the early series lead.

Game 1: Halifax at Georgia

Georgia. Both teams are clearly firing on all cylinders. However, while Halifax’s offense has been steady all year, Georgia’s front end seems to have found that elusive playoff gear. Both goalies will keep the scoreboard from lighting up too much, but I think the Swarm will do just enough to get the series edge.

Game 2: Toronto at San Diego

Toronto. Newly galvanized or not, the Seals did not perform well at home this year. The Rock will bounce back, and their youth will prove to be the difference as they force a Game 3 back home next week.

Shawn Slaght:

Game 1: San Diego vs Toronto

Pick – Toronto

Last weekend’s controversial OT win for San Diego can do one of two things: be bulletin board material or be a distraction. I feel like it will be a cloud over them in Game 1.

Game 1: Halifax vs Georgia

Pick – Georgia

Halifax’s win over Vancouver sent shockwaves throughout the league, but can they pull it off again? Brett Dobson continues to put up video game-like numbers in net, and Lyle Thompson and the Swarm offence have found their stride at the right time.

Game 2: Toronto vs San Diego

Pick – Toronto

I’m going to go with the series sweep for the Rock. I really like the make-up of this team. The youth have injected new life into the franchise, and Nick Rose has been lights out since coming back from injury.

Gary Groob:

San Diego Seals vs. Toronto Rock (Game 1)

Toronto wins.

The Rock may have a lot of rookies, but they have played in huge games in their careers.  This is why their pedigree is so strong.  Toronto has a 6-1 all time record against the Seals, and this will continue.  Toronto won both meetings this year, and are healthier now than in those meetings.  If San Diego has a chance, they need to jump on the Rock early, and NOT TAKE PENALTIES!

Halifax Thunderbirds vs. Georgia Swarm

Georgia wins.

As much as the Thunderbirds are the feel good story, so is the Brett Dobson story.  The Georgia defense is no joke!  They are stifling!  If Halifax is playing from behind, I don’t like their chances.  Now that the Swarm offense has caught up to the defense, this team is really dangerous.

Toronto Rock vs. San Diego Seals (Game 2)

Toronto wins.

+165 is the odds for a Toronto sweep.  I am jumping on those odds.  The travel is tough on both teams, but for the younger Rock squad, I think they recover quicker.  If the Rock defense plays as hard as they can, they will punch their ticket to the NLL finals.

Warriors

Pat Bernard:

San Diego Seals vs. Toronto Rock

Toronto Rock

Halifax Thunderbirds vs. Georgia Swarm

Georgia Swarm

Toronto Rock vs. San Diego Seals

Toronto Rock

Caden Balint:

San Diego vs. Toronto (Game 1)

Pick: Toronto

Toronto Rock just feel more settled heading into a Game 1—especially at home where they usually dictate tempo. San Diego Seals have the firepower, but they can get streaky, and that’s risky against a disciplined Rock defense.

Halifax vs. Georgia

Pick: Halifax

Halifax Thunderbirds play with a chip on their shoulder and tend to thrive in these tighter playoff-style matchups. Georgia Swarm can absolutely score, but Halifax’s physicality and goaltending usually wear teams down over four quarters.

Toronto vs. San Diego (Game 2)

Pick: San Diego

This feels like a bounce-back spot for San Diego Seals—they’ve got too much talent to stay quiet twice in a row. If Toronto Rock take Game 1, there’s a good chance they ease up just enough for San Diego to steal one and even things out.

Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 8pm (ET) on StreamPunkEnt.com

n̈

i

Popular Posts