Archive for the ‘Weekly Previews’ Category
Week 8 Preview
Thursday, May 19th, 2011That’s Restaurant Quality Iced Tea
GAME OF THE WEEK
Denim Demons (3-2-0-1) at Unicorns (4-1-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Denim Demons lead 6-5-2
Game Notes: Two of the league’s top goaltenders go head to head in this inter-conference matchup. After a slow start to the 2011 season, the Denim Demons’ Aaron “Coach” Pagdon has returned to the form that helped him capture last season’s “Best Goaltender” award second best goals against average. In his last four games, he has allowed just two goals and recorded two shutouts. During that stretch, however, the offense scored a paltry three goals, resulting in a 2-1-0-1 record. With Craig “Ug” LaCombe between the pipes, the Unicorns have allowed the fewest goals in BTSH. LaCombe, who had the top goals against average last season, has given up less than one goal per game and leads the league with three shutouts. His goaltending, along with strong defensive play from the rest of the team, has boosted the Unicorns into a tie for first place in the Donohue Division. With bragging rights at stake between good friends Pagdon and LaCombe, goals will be at a premium when these teams collide.
Keys To The Game:
1. After averaging 3.8 goals per game last season, the Denim Demons’ offense has struggled this year, averaging just two goals per game. Zack Tinkelman and Mike Pereira, who combined for 31 goals in 2010, have scored just once so far. It is clear that Pereira’s lack of attendance this season has hurt the team.
2. The Unicorns’ offense has revolved around the top line of Joe Polowczuk and Chris, who have collectively scored more than half of the team’s goals. Polowczuk leads the team with five goals on the season. In addition, after playing with the Rehabs in a guest role against the Happy Little Elves, he is also tied for their team lead with three goals.
3. Unicorns captains Courtney and Lindsay were recently spotted tape recording a supposedly closed Denim Demons practice in an attempt to procure footage of David Kenneth Fraser’s sprinting prowess. Furious, Demons captain Adam “Legend Killer” Rubens has filed a formal complaint with league manager Adriano “Muscles Marinara” Bratta and noted, “I’ll go to the papers if I have to.”
Eli’s Pick: Denim Demons. Pagdon has been a little better than LaCombe in recent weeks.
Derek’s Pick: Denim Demons. Their deeper bench gives them a boost when they need it most.
Watchability: 4 Joe Tinkys. With both goaltenders keeping goals off the board, this game should stay close until the end.
Week 7 Preview
Thursday, May 12th, 2011The Rainbows Are Thrilled To Face What The Puck
GAME OF THE WEEK
What The Puck (5-0-0-1) at Dark Rainbows (5-0-0-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: What The Puck leads 6-5
Game Notes: The top two teams in BTSH face off in a battle for first place in the Hackett Division. What The Puck’s offseason additions have assimilated into Larry “Mad Dog” Zimmer’s game plan extremely quickly, resulting in a five-game winning streak. The team boasts the top offense in the league, averaging five goals a game, which is a full goal more than any other team. Despite the boost from the new arrivals, however, it is WTP’s cagey veteran, defender Darrell “Accurate Bob” Hartman, who has led the scoring with seven goals on the season. Unlike their opponents, the Dark Rainbows’ roster changed little during the offseason. As a result of this stability, the Rainbows opened the season with a four-game winning streak and have yielded the third fewest goals in BTSH. Goaltender John Meyer currently ranks fourth in the league with a 1.33 GAA, and he has not allowed more than two goals in a game this season. Meyer and the Rainbows will face their stiffest challenge to date when they go head to head with the relentless What The Puck offense this Sunday.
Keys To The Game:
1. What The Puck has used three different goaltenders this season, each winning at least one game for the team. This speaks to both the team’s versatility in having several capable options, as well as its raw ability to light up the scoreboard regardless of who’s between the pipes.
2. The Rainbows’ 3-2 win over Poutine Machine last week stands as a true testament to the team’s resiliency. Trailing by one late in the second half, the Rainbows scored twice in the last 4:30 to comeback against the MacNeil Division leaders.
3. As a special treat for fans of these two teams (yes, even What The Puck has fans), halftime will feature an exhibition game among the several dozen children who are usually in attendance at these teams’ games. Baby John Nielsen is expected to lead the Mini-Rainbows to victory.
Eli’s Pick: What The Puck. They look unstoppable right now.
Derek’s Pick: What The Puck. Mad Dog won’t rest until he wins the division.
Watchability: 5 Starks. These are the top two teams in the league. What else do you want?
Week 6 Preview
Thursday, May 5th, 2011Nick Will Use His Intelligence To Beat Cobra Kai
GAME OF THE WEEK
Cobra Kai (3-1-1) at Fresh Kills (4-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: Fresh Kills leads 7-1-1
Game Notes: Former division rivals renew acquaintances in this inter-conference battle. After suffering their first loss of the season, Cobra Kai responded last weekend with 6-1 thumping of the Tompkins Square Riots. Rookie linemates Sarab Lalri and Marc Beland combined for three of the goals. The duo has ignited the Dojo’s offense this season with seven of the team’s 12 goals. Fresh Kills also had a big win last weekend, as the team shutout the previously undefeated Corlears Hookers 2-0. The victory marked the team’s third win in a row and once again proved that captain Dave Sokolyansky and company belong in the Weyersberg Conference. In fact, despite the team’s promotion, Fresh Kills still boasts the second best offense in BTSH with 17 goals. However, this week may pose the stiffest test yet, as the offense will attempt to penetrate Cobra Kai’s second-ranked defense.
Keys To The Game:
1. Similar to years past, Fresh Kills sports one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the league. Eight different players have tallied at least one goal this season, with five of them scoring multiple times.
2. Goaltender Peter Lang and the Cobra Kai defense have surrendered just six goals in five games, good for second in the league. With the offense finally finding its groove last week against the Riots, the Dojo could be a legitimate dual threat going forward.
3. Last season, these teams split two fairly spirited contests, each winning 5-2. This will be their only regular season matchup of 2011, and both teams would like to win the rubber match.
Eli’s Pick: Fresh Kills. They did beat Cobra Kai for the Donohue Division title last year.
Derek’s Pick: Fresh Kills. Experience triumphs over youth.
Watchability: 4 Sladeks. This will be a classic matchup of old school versus new school BTSH.
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Week 5 Preview
Thursday, April 28th, 2011Everyone Wants A Piece Of The Rainbows
GAME OF THE WEEK
LBS, Inc. (2-1-0-1) at Dark Rainbows (4-0)
Location: Tompkins East, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: LBS, Inc. leads 7-6-1
Game Notes: Two BTSH mainstays clash in this highly anticipated Hackett Division matchup. Despite tallying three goals in each of its first two games, LBS, Inc. started the season slowly, earning just one point during this stretch. However, the defense buckled down, and the Corporation rebounded with wins against Filthy Gorgeous and the Tompkins Square Riots. The offense has largely revolved around the Ken-Karsten-Karen line (Poulin, Pichon, and Erickson), which has produced eight of the team’s 13 goals. Although the line previously had a nickname, the Corporation’s public relations department quickly nixed it due to negative press. For the Dark Rainbows, their early season returns have been overwhelmingly positive. At 4-0, they are one of three teams with four wins and boast the third best goal differential in BTSH. The team currently sits in first place in the extremely competitive Hackett Division, bolstered by divisional wins against the Sky Fighters and Fresh Kills. LBS, Inc. will be the Rainbows’ third Hackett game of the season. Can they remain undefeated in the division and overall?
Keys To The Game:
1. LBS, Inc. new hire Lawrence Goldstein has made a good early impression on his bosses with three goals on the season. As veterans Ken and Karsten see their pensions continue to grow, the Corporation will look to his leadership in the upcoming fiscal years.
2. Goaltender John Meyer has been sparkling between the pipes for the Dark Rainbows, allowing just four goals in four games. He already has one shutout on the season, and his steady performance has allowed captain Sean Reynolds to successfully implement his “run and chase” style of offense.
3. Reynolds recently made a shrewd mid-season pickup with the acquisition of Luisa Mirarchi, formerly of Cobra Kai. In addition to boosting his own team, Reynolds infuriated fellow Hackett Division captain Larry “Mad Dog” Zimmer of What The Puck. Zimmer, who has always prided himself on being a step ahead of his peers, was busy scouting Rehabs defender Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli to bolster his blue line.
Eli’s Pick: Dark Rainbows. May Day is John Nielsen’s favorite holiday.
Derek’s Pick: Dark Rainbows. This win would officially propel the Rainbows back into BTSH’s elite.
Watchability: 4 Rudds. Both teams are playing great hockey right now, and divisional pride is at stake.
Week 4 Preview
Thursday, April 14th, 2011Poutine Machine Is Sitting Pretty
GAME OF THE WEEK
Poutine Machine (2-0-1) at What The Puck (2-0-0-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Game Notes: After a stunning win against the Denim Demons last week, Poutine Machine is looking to shock the league once again as the team prepares for its matchup against What The Puck. Although Poutine entered last week’s game against last season’s Prince of Weyersberg Cup champions as heavy underdogs, the team buckled down on defense and produced a 1-0 win. Defenseman Kevin MacDonald scored the lone goal late in the game, and goalie Tim Brown turned aside every Demons shot to preserve the victory. However, Brown and the Poutine defense will have their hands full once again this week against the offensive depth of Larry “Mad Dog” Zimmer’s Orange Juggernaut. After losing their opening game to Fresh Kills in a shootout, What The Puck has performed as expected, producing quality wins against Gut Rot and the defending champion Happy Little Elves. After a brief adjustment period, it seems as though Mad Dog’s offseason acquisitions have become acclimated to their new team’s style of play. With What The Puck’s offense finally clicking, Brown will have to turn in another stellar performance for Poutine Machine to win.
Keys To The Game:
1. Rookie forward Ashish Nagpal leads Poutine Machine with two goals. He has already done an outstanding job in helping to fill the very big void left by the departure of “Double J” Jeff Jewett.
2. What The Puck’s Hartman brothers, Darrell and Oliver, each have two goals on the season. They are a critical part of What The Puck’s extremely balanced offense, which ranks third in BTSH.
3. Distant cousins Kevin MacDonald of Poutine Machine and What The Puck’s grizzled veteran Tom MacDonald have already had a budding rivalry since the MacDonald family reunion of 2003. Tom has always taken offense to Kevin’s insistence that the Toronto Blue Jays are superior to the Montreal Expos.
Eli’s Pick: What The Puck. Forward Mike “The X-Factor” Woodsworth thinks poutine is delicious.
Derek’s Pick: Poutine Machine. I promised Jo-Ann I’d pick them if they beat the Demons last week. So.
Watchability: 4 Therriaults. This should be a true test to see if What The Puck is as good as everyone thinks, or if Poutine is better than everyone assumed.
