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

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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.

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

Playoffs Week 1:

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

Playoff Year To Date:

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

Total Year To Date:

Gary…………………76-54    58.5%
Shawn………………74-56    56.9%
Pat…………………..73-57    56.2%
Caden………………73-57    56.2%
“Muffler” Mike…65-65    50%

Playoffs Week 2

“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk:

VAN @ BUF Game 1

Vancouver. Banditland can spell B-O-X all they want, but they can’t spell Christian Del Bianco without the “L”.

SASK @ HFX Game 1

Halifax. I’m taking the Thunderbirds as I feel they have slightly more momentum coming off a win in their first ever home playoff game. But make no mistake, this game should be  much closer than some of their previous matchups have been.

BUF @ VAN Game 2

Vancouver. I said several weeks ago that Vancouver would not lose another game this season. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Shawn Slaght:

Buffalo vs Vancouver (Game 1)

Pick – Vancouver

You can’t sleep on this Vancouver team, especially with CDB. Factor in the fact that Buffalo has struggled on home floor despite sell-out crowds, I have to go with the Warriors.

Buffalo vs Vancouver (Game 2)

Pick – Buffalo

The Bandits aren’t the two-time defend champs for nothing. When their backs are against the wall you’ll see this team come alive. Buffalo will force Game 3.

Saskatchewan vs Halifax

Pick – Halifax

Do I think Saskatchewan can take this series? Yes. But traditional they have struggled at The Nest and the Thunderbirds will look to make a statement. The trouble will come when the Thunderbirds have to come to SaskTel Centre.

Gary Groob:

Vancouver vs. Buffalo #1

Vancouver wins.

I like how this Warriors team matches up with the Bandits.  There is enough speed both on offense and defense to negate Buffalo’s transition game and create havic of their own.  This could be an even lower scoring game than the Bandits vs. San Diego if both goalies get hot!

Saskatchewan vs. Halifax #1

Halifax wins.

I am writing this with the premise that the Thunderbirds are disciplined!   If they stay out of the box, they match up very well with Saskatchewan.  If they start taking penalties, we’ll all beta are off!  On paper this is a very evenly matched game.  I give the slight edge to the home team.

Buffalo vs. Vancouver #2

Vancouver wins.

Even of Buffalo wins game one, I would still pick the Warriors in front of their home crowd to win.  This team is the hottest in the league, with the least amount of injuries.   The youthful exuberance, mixed with veteran leadership is as good as you will get.  Curt Malawsky and Christian Del Bianco have done this to the Bandits before, and history may very well repeat itself.

Roughnecks

Pat Bernard:

Vancouver vs. Buffalo #1

Buffalo

Saskatchewan vs. Halifax #1

Saskatchewan

Buffalo vs. Vancouver #2

Buffalo

Caden Balint:

Vancouver vs Buffalo #1

Pick – Buffalo

What a semifinals matchup we have here, and what a way to kick off the NLL weekend. I talked a lot on the show about how Vancouver is my choice to come out of this series, but I think Buffalo will take Game 1. After the lowest scoring game in the history of the NLL playoffs, the Bandits are gonna be gunning towards the net every chance they get as they will look to get into the head of Christian Del Bianco, and with a packed Banditland behind them, it’s tough for me to go against Buffalo.

Saskatchewan vs Halifax #1

Pick – Saskatchewan

I really do not know where to go here. While the obvious choice is just take the Rush as they have been the best team in the league behind Buffalo this entire year, the Thunderbirds do not quit. I will take the Rush on the back of their super high octane offense that is incredibly hard to silence. But once again, do not sleep on the Thunderbirds as they can pull away with it quickly.

Buffalo vs Vancouver #2

Pick – Vancouver

After what is bound to be a scorcher of a Game 1 in Buffalo, these two teams will be right back in action for Game 2 in the Rodgers Arena, and this is where the Warriors will shine. After having a playoff game against the Bandits under their belts, the Warriors will have the knowledge of what they need to do and the perfect game plan to take Game 2, tie the series and force a third game for next week.

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