All Lacrosse All The Time Weekly NLL Pick ‘Ems – Week 18

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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. Mr. Groob's other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.

All season long the All Lacrosse All The Time Crew will put together their picks for the upcoming week of NLL games.



Week 17:

“Muffler” Mike…4-2
Shawn……………..5-1
Gary…………………4-2
Pat…………………..4-2
Caden………………4-2

Standings:

Shawn……………..64-35   0.646
Pat…………………..59-40   0.596
Caden………………57-42   0.576
“Muffler” Mike…57-42   0.576
Gary…………………55-44   0.556

Week 18 picks:

“Muffler” Mike:

Halifax vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia. The Wings are all but eliminated from playoff contention; however, players will be playing for jobs next year. It won’t be easy facing a Thunderbirds team looking to rise above the heart-wrenching finish to last week’s game.

Georgia vs. Ottawa

Ottawa. Sure, Georgia scored 17 last week in a win. But if Halifax was able to rally from a 10-goal deficit in the fourth quarter, imagine what the Black Bears can do if they keep the game as close or closer in the final frame.

Rochester vs. Oshawa

Oshawa. The Knighthawks have dominated the FireWolves in the recent past. But with subpar performances leading to a mid-season coaching change, this Rochester team appears fractured – not beyond repair, but likely beyond a playoff run. Oshawa welcomes them to the outside of the playoff window.

Buffalo vs. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan. Chip, meet shoulder. The Rush are 1-3 in their last four games, a slide that started with a loss to Buffalo. They will be chomping at the bit to get revenge, end their slide, and end Buffalo’s 4-game win streak, as well as staying undefeated at home.

Calgary vs. Las Vegas

Las Vegas. The Desert Dogs have set a new franchise record for wins in a season and are in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Roughnecks will keep it close, but the veteran leadership will continue to guide Vegas into the W column.

Toronto vs. Philadelphia

Toronto. We saw this Rock team keep pace with Saskatchewan a week ago. Expect them to run roughshod over a Wings team that will run into the proverbial “doubleheader wall” near the end of the game.

Shawn:

Halifax vs. Philadelphia

Pick – Halifax

The Wings are all but playing for next season and potentially the first overall pick. While Halifax’s playoff hopes are also fading, they had a lot more to play for.

Georgia vs. Ottawa

Pick – Georgia

An interesting case for two teams that are looking for some consistency. We’ve seen for the last couple of games that Ottawa can’t always rely on fourth-quarter comebacks.

Rochester vs. Oshawa

Pick – Rochester

A lot of question marks for both teams. Among the chaos, I think the Knighthawks still have enough talent to right the ship.

Buffalo vs. Saskatchewan

Pick – Saskatchewan

The Bandits always seem to have Saskatchewan’s number. However, we are talking about a Rush team that plays their best in the friendly confines of the SaskTel Centre. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is another overtime affair.

Calgary vs. Las Vegas

Pick – Las Vegas

Often using a two-goaltender system doesn’t work. Yet, in the case of the Desert Dogs, it is. I like what Calgary is building; it’s their time to be still going to be bumps in the road.

Toronto vs. Philadelphia

Pick – Toronto

Two teams going in opposite directions. The Rock look good, and their young team is coming together. As stated above, the Wings are picking up the pieces and working for next season.

Gary:

Halifax vs. Philadelphia

Halifax wins.

Halifax still has some fight left in them, and while Philadelphia is playing for jobs, they are also playing for 1st overall pick in the upcoming draft.  Look for the Wings to look at all their assets throughout the weekend.


Georgia vs. Ottawa

Georgia wins.

While Ottawa has been playing well, the Swarm showed how dangerous they can be when firing on all cylinders last week.  Look for even more transition from Georgia this week.

Rochester vs. Oshawa

Oshawa wins.

I really like both teams!  Both have had struggles this year, but both really have unlimited potential.   With playoffs not likely for either team, look for practice squad guys to slowly start making their way into the lineup.

Buffalo vs. Saskatchewan

Buffalo wins.

Saskatchewan has had some trouble recently, and normally I would dismiss it.  However, the Bandits are white hot!  Buffalo is pushing for a home playoff game, while Saskatchewan has already clinched.  I’m very interested in the chess match between two of the greatest minds lacrosse has ever seen in Tavares vs. Keenan.

Calgary vs. Las Vegas

Calgary wins.

Calgary keeps impressing me.  Las Vegas is coming along, but still need some defensive help.  If Landon Kells plays as well as he did in relief last week, the Desert Dogs can definitely pull off a victory, but I’ll lean to the upstart Roughnecks.

Toronto vs. Philadelphia

Toronto wins.

These teams have been traveling in different directions for weeks.  The Rock want a home playoff game.  Last week’s win against Saskatchewan was the most complete game this team has put together this year.  I still think they have more to show  – this could be that game.

Warriors

Pat:

Halifax vs. Philadelphia

Halifax Thunderbirds

Georgia vs. Ottawa

Georgia Swarm

Rochester vs. Oshawa

Rochester Knighthawks

Buffalo vs. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Rush

Calgary vs. Las Vegas

Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Toronto vs. Philadelphia

Toronto Rock

Caden:

Halifax vs. Philadelphia

Halifax-

I’m taking Halifax. They tend to grind teams down and play a more complete game, while Philly can get a little chaotic defensively if things start slipping.

Georgia vs. Ottawa

Georgia-

Give me Georgia. Their offense usually has more firepower, and if they get rolling early, Ottawa can struggle to keep pace.

Rochester vs. Oshawa

Rochester-

I like Rochester here. They’re typically more disciplined, and that matters in these tighter matchups where possessions are everything.

Buffalo vs. Saskatchewan

Buffalo-

Buffalo all day. They’re just deeper top to bottom, and in big games they usually find another gear late.

Calgary vs. Las Vegas

Calgary-

I’ll roll with Calgary. Vegas has flashes, but Calgary feels steadier and less likely to beat themselves.

Toronto vs. Philadelphia

Toronto-

Toronto’s my pick. They play with a bit more structure, and Philly on a second matchup here feels like a spot where mistakes could pile up.

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