Central Event 3 and CXBL Elite predictions

Hey there my paintball loving pals, 

I know you all must be filled to the brim with excitement for the weekend ahead, I certainly am! So excited that I spent Thursday and some of today at Flag Raiders helping to prepare the fields for you marker-toting superstars to enjoy. Let me tell you, I have a new found respect for the field and BuyPBL staff who truly spend HOURS and HOURS working to make the CXBL tournaments the best around. My aching knees and burnt shoulders tell a tale of someone who spent a large chunk of time working hard tying down mesh and wielding a pressure washer and yet, the work I put in doesn’t hold a candle to the work of the incredible albeit exhausted staff. I’m sure you realize that those fields don’t set themselves up but you might be shocked to see the planning and time that goes into hanging the mesh, gridding the fields, and setting the bunkers in their precise locations. The game you know and love wouldn’t be the same without the behind-the-scenes activities that the Flag Raiders and BuyPBL staffs orchestrate. If you haven’t taken the chance to show your appreciation, please do so! 

Now, with no further ado, I have taken the opportunity to once again formulate some predictions for CXBL Elite and Central Event 3. Remember- My predictions are simply educated guesses. They are not meant to offend anyone. Please take them with a grain of salt. Read on my friends and feel free to jump on board with your own thoughts on this weekend’s matches! 

CXBL

Drummondville Daytona Vs. Vancouver Thunder - While Drummondville has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, Thunder’s experienced and talented roster will allow them a comfortable win. This is the first of Vancouver’s four matches which suggests that they will come out energized and ready to rock. 

Medonte Ntwo Factor Vs. Scarborough Hustle – Medonte will take this match with confidence. Hustle has taken a beating this year and though I’ve tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, their sometimes scattered means of play has made this challenging. The team is not without its strength and certain players have certainly “shown up” at events but as a whole, some of the careless bumps and thoughtless attempted run-throughs made by this team have left me frustrated. Scarborough, if you care to hear my two cents, take the time to sit in your bunkers and roll your guns. Make SMART bumps, don't allow your emotions to get the best of you AND whatever you do, please do not attempt to run down the field directly into your competition’s lanes. 

Tremblant Cowboys Vs. Kitchener Recon – Rumour has it Recon will be missing one of their “main characters” on the field-Thomas Taylor will be spending time coaching thanks to his injury. I believe Tremblant will monopolize on the opportunities opened up as a result. I expect to see Cowboys take a tidy lead over Recon.

Mirabel Impact Vs. Vancouver Thunder – For being new to the CXBL division, Impact has proven that they deserve their spot. Sure, they still have marks of inexperience but overall they have a certain confidence on the field that almost makes me forget that just last season they were an MXL team. Unfortunately for Mirabel, Vancouver’s experience will trump their developing skills. 

Drummondville Daytona Vs. Cambridge Raiders – This is Raiders’ first match of the event and I happen to know that they have spent three days practicing within the last week. They are hungry for some kills and their appetites will be satisfied in this match. That being said, Daytona’s less predictable manner of play will certainly allow them to pull in some flag hangs against the more conservative Raiders. Cambridge will take this match but Drummondville won’t give in easy. 

Kitchener Recon Vs. Windsor Lockdown – I have a feeling that Lockdown will be playing without their Damage counterparts. Judging by their showing at Border Battle, this could be a good thing – It will allow their Canadian ballers to showcase their skills. I predict Windsor will come out with a W by a solid 4 points. 

Tremblant Cowboys Vs. Toronto Rockstar – Let’s not play around here - Cowboys will take this match. Rockstar came out stronger at Elite Event 2 than they did at Event 1 but even if they continue to pick up speed due to their added talent, Tremblant is overall a more consistent team. 

Mirabel Impact Vs. Kitchener Recon – This match may be tighter than most have imagined. Mirabel has improved throughout the season and I expect them to come out stronger than ever at Event 3. That being said, Kitchener is full of hardworking athletes who refuse to give in. Recon will take the win here but as I said, it will be a close match. 

Tremblant Cowboys Vs. Vancouver Thunder –Heading into this season, most of us didn’t know what to make of Vancouver Thunder and expected big things from Cowboys. After having seen Thunder at work at Elite Event 1, I had them pegged as the team to beat this season. This should prove an exciting match with two well-matched teams going point for point. Vancouver will pull through with a W in the end. 

Toronto Rockstar Vs. Scarborough Hustle – These teams have been hanging out at the bottom of the standings all season and now they get to face one another. If Hustle is meant to pull out a win this season, this would be it BUT Rockstar won’t allow that to happen. As I said, they have improved throughout the season and it is clear that they have learned to play together as a team. It seems they’ve also got an insurance policy, having added some extra skill to the roster. 

Cambridge Raiders Vs. Vancouver Thunder – I have really struggled to make a prediction here. As I am sure you are aware, it’s sometimes difficult to put aside emotions to make unbiased predictions. Admittedly, I have flip-flopped on my feelings about this game. Thunder is such a strong, consistent team and they have managed to pull out Ws whilst missing half their roster. Similarly, Raiders play a safe, smart game while knowing when to stir things up and make bigger, more aggressive plays. In the end, I had to consider more than the strengths and weaknesses of the teams. In this case, I am relying on outside factors to help me establish a solid prediction. Thunder plays four games this event and their match against Cambridge is the final of those matches.  If their roster is short-handed again at this event, they will come out tired and that may be just what Raiders need to pull out a W here. I predict a slow match with both teams holding down their bunkers and emptying pods. 

Medonte Ntwo Factor Vs. Windsor Lockdown – This should be an exciting match! After witnessing Medonte’s win over Cowboys at Border Battle, I expect them to continue playing strong this event. That being said, Lockdown is a stellar team filled with bold, experienced players. I believe Lockdown will take this match but Medonte won’t be far behind! 

Tremblant Cowboys Vs. Drummondville Daytona – The smart, consistent Cowboys will take a win over the sometimes erratic  Daytona. 

MXL

Hespeler Hooligans Vs. Barrie Freeze – Freeze has had kind of a rough season. Hooligans will take this match with ease.

Oshawa Fury Vs. Sarnia Energy – I suspect that this will be a close match with Sarnia taking the win. 

Brooklin Fingers Vs. Waterloo Wolves – While both teams have proven themselves very strong, I predict Wolves will come through with the win. It will be an extremely tight match.

Georgina Rebels Vs. Barrie Freeze – These teams are very well-matched. This game will likely go point for point but I think Freeze is ready to step up and take the win. Either way, this match won’t have more than a 2 point spread. 

Winnipeg 420 Army Vs. Woodstock Semper Fi – In this match, the two lowest ranked teams face head to head. Semper Fi has fought hard throughout the season thus far but has consistently fallen short. This is their time to step up and take a well-earned win. 

Georgina Rebels Vs. Hespeler Hooligans – Hooligans wide range of skilled, experienced players will allow them a smooth victory over the less-experienced Rebels. 

Oshawa Fury Vs. Winnipeg 420 Army – Winnipeg spends too much time in the box and Fury will use this to their advantage. 

Sarnia Energy Vs. Winnipeg 420 Army – Energy is currently sitting fourth in the rankings. They will do everything they can to move up and secure a spot for NAX including a big win over 420 Army. 

Oshawa Fury Vs. Waterloo Wolves – Wolves is going to walk through this match with their heads held high, coming out with a solid W.

Brooklin Fingers Vs. Woodstock Semperfi – This match features the current leaders and the current weakest link. It will be an easy match for Fingers and they will take the opportunity to increase their plus/minus headed into NAX. 

Hespeler Hooligans Vs. Winnipeg 420 Army – This match will mark an easy W for Hespeler.

Georgina Rebels Vs. Waterloo Wolves – Wolves have experience and skill on their side. This match belongs to them. 

Barrie Freeze Vs. Woodstock Semper Fi – I’m sorry to say that Semper Fi will suffer another loss by a small point spread. 

RXL

Essex Distortion Vs. Guelph Silence – This will be a close match with Distortion pulling through by a hair.

Joyceville Venom Vs. Mississauga Hate –Hate has been playing hot while Venom has not. This match goes to Mississauga. 

Brockville Beast Mode Vs. Niagara Aces –Aces will win this match by a mitt full. 

Dundas Demolition Vs. Guelph Silence –Dundas has proven their worth this season and they need to continue playing well to earn a spot at NAX. They will win this match.

Vaughn Vipers Vs. King City Extreme – Vipers have been swimming at the bottom of the barrel all season and I am afraid that’s where they will stay. 

Brockville Beastmode Vs. Joyceville Venom – These teams are essentially tied at this point in the season. Why not keep it that way? Tie game. 

Dundas Demolition Vs. Essex Distortion – This will be a VERY exciting match to watch. Both teams have had a decent season thus far and both are fighting for a NAX position. I am going to give this match to Distortion. 

Mississauga Hate Vs. Vaughn Vipers – First place team playing last place team, gee I wonder what will happen here. 

Joyceville Venom Vs. Niagara Aces – Aces have been drilling hard and it will show during this match. 

Brockville Beastmode Vs. King City Extreme – King City has the upper hand and will keep it. 

Essex Distortion Vs. Vaughn Vipers – Distortion will win this match by a landslide. 

Dundas Demolition Vs. Niagara Aces – This will be a tight match. Both teams are hungry for NAX and that will make this THE game to watch at the RXL level. Aces will take it but not by much. 

Guelph Silence Vs. King City Extreme – This will be another close match with Extreme pulling ahead by 1 point.

     I'd like to once again wish my best to each and every team. If you aren't happy with my predictions then prove me wrong this weekend! All of you need a big dose of confidence going into this event and I truly would love to see things stirred up. Best of luck to all competitors! 

Signing off, 

The Paintball Wife

P.S. While you are here, check out the last post to find out how you could win a one-of-a-kind headband!