Archive for the ‘Weekly Previews’ Category
Week 5 Preview
Thursday, May 13th, 2010Everyone’s Excited For Rehabs-Demons!
GAME OF THE WEEK
HOCKEY NIGHT IN TOMPKINS (National Telecast)
Rehabs (2-1) at Denim Demons (2-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 6-6-1
Game Notes: For as long as the Rehabs and Denim Demons have been in BTSH, their rivalry has been one of the bitterest and most intense in the league. However, numerous events this offseason have led to a thaw in their once frosty relationship. The animosity began to dissipate when Demon veteran (and Stacy S. Kehoe award winner) Abby Meisterman allowed long time Rehab Stacy S. Kehoe to borrow her hockey stick during a scrimmage. The Rehabs reciprocated the goodwill when team firecracker Gina Hackett offered Demons captain Adam “Legend Killer” Rubens a swag bag of Rehabs merchandise (including a t-shirt, bandana, Romeo Shampoo, Mike Bartlett Cupcake mix, and a Villano Edition iPod). Rubens was reportedly “totally amped” over the gesture. The Rehabs’ generosity continued when known agitator and instigator Jon “Dinner Plate” Feldman sent the Demons a care package of fine China to replace the plates he broke in a 2007 clubhouse raid. These teams buried the hatchet once and for all during a black-tie mixer, hosted by Bryan “Stork” Welch of the Rehabs and “Hacksaw” Jim Dandaneau of the Demons. Aaron “Coach” Pagdon and Meredith “Danberg” Ficarelli were coronated as the king and queen of the event.
Keys To The Game:
1. Though his attendance has been inconsistent since joining the Rehabs, Adam Skuse has averaged more than a goal per game. If he plays, the Demons’ defense will have to monitor him closely.
2. Denim Demon forwards Mike Pereira and Zack Tinkelman are tied for the league lead with five goals each. However, Tinkelman’s father, Joe, is not happy about his son’s transition from a shutdown defender to an offensive dynamo.
3. Both of these teams are coming off of three-goal losses to a Rubens Division opponent. Despite the newfound congeniality between the squads, they will both be playing hard to get back on the winning track.
Eli’s Pick: No pick. Eli will be reffing this game.
Derek’s Pick: Rehabs. According to Ellery, the Demons suck, and he’s the most reliable source I know.
Watchability: 5 Khars. “Hey guys, come to my game! There’s going to be pie!”
Week 4 Preview
Thursday, April 29th, 2010Will Made Sure We Got His “Good” Side
GAME OF THE WEEK
Cobra Kai (2-0) at Corlears Hookers (1-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Corlears Hookers lead 3-1
Game Notes: Cobra Kai is on top of the world, as well as the Donohue Division, as the team is off to the best start in its five season history. In week 1, the Dojo rallied from a halftime deficit against La Famiglia to secure its first opening day victory ever. The momentum carried to week 2, when Cobra Kai notched a solid win over Mega Touch. The Corlears Hookers also won their first game of the season with an impressive triumph over Rubens Division rival LBS, Inc. However, the Hookers stubbed their proverbial toes in week 2 with a stunning loss to the underrated, yet generally uninspiring, Happy Little Elves. After overlooking the Elves, have the Hookers learned their lesson as they take on a much improved Cobra Kai team?
Keys To The Game:
1. For the second straight season, Will Kuhns leads Cobra Kai’s offensive attack. He has scored two goals in each of the team’s first two games and attributes his success to his camouflage t-shirt, which he claims keeps him hidden from the opposing defense’s view.
2. Jason Eitel led the Corlears Hookers with 22 goals in the 2009 season, but has missed the team’s first two games due to a long bout with measles. However, he was granted a clean bill of health earlier this week by team doctor Josh “Doc” Sadlier-Brown and is now listed as probable.
3. Cobra Kai and the Corlears Hookers last met in week 21 of the 2009 season. The Dojo prevailed in a shootout 4-3, even though the afternoon was otherwise marred by “rain fears”.
Eli’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. They rarely lose two games in a row.
Derek’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. Eitel should have a big game if he does return.
Watchability: 3.5 Biagionis.
Week 3 Preview
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010The Media Is Always Watching You
GAME OF THE WEEK
Happy Little Elves (1-0-0-1) at Unicorns (2-0)
Location: Tompkins West, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 1-1
Game Notes: Both the Happy Little Elves and the Unicorns teams enter this critical Fairy Tale Cup contest coming off of impressive wins. Last Sunday, the Elves stunned the Corlears Hookers 7-4 to open their five-game road trip. “The Chairman” Ben Chadwick led his team by example with two second-half goals, while Rich Glanzer made the smart coaching decision not to play himself for the second straight week. Meanwhile, the Unicorns knocked off the defending champion Sky Fighters in a hard-fought 4-3 victory. After shutting out the Dark Rainbows on opening day, goaltender Craig “Ug” LaCombe played spectacularly once again and fended off a barrage of shots (mostly from Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka) to preserve the win. With both the Elves and Unicorns looking sharp early on, this game will not only be key in deciding the Fairy Tale Cup, but also the Hackett Division.
Keys To The Game:
1. The Elves have had a propensity for late game heroics this season, as a last minute goal by Garrett “Ax” Carrino salvaged a point against the Rehabs, and five second half goals (including the two by Chadwick) flipped a 3-2 deficit into the win against the Hookers.
2. Unicorns free agent acquisition Joe has scored a goal in each of his team’s first two games. He is stepping in well to fill the shoes of key losses Nelson and “Biff” (Ted).
3. The Elves defeated the Unicorns last season, prompting Rich Glanzer and “The Chairman” Ben Chadwick to believe that they had won the prestigious (yet imaginary) Fairy Tale Cup. However, the win actually forced a three-way tie in the series, ironically allowing the Unicorns to maintain possession. Glanzer still does not understand this concept.
Eli’s Pick: Happy Little Elves. Sorry, Rich.
Derek’s Pick: Happy Little Elves. I’ve heard rumors that Chris “Crush” O’Neil will be back for this week, making the Elves even more dangerous.
Watchability: 4 Clavicles
Week 2 Preview
Thursday, April 15th, 2010Maybe This Is Why Anita Left
GAME OF THE WEEK
HOCKEY NIGHT IN TOMPKINS (National Telecast)
Mathematics (0-0-0-1) at Rehabs (1-0)
Location: Tompkins East, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: Rehabs lead 3-0-1
Game Notes: Due to a flurry of offseason player movement between the Mathematics and Rehabs, this once friendly rivalry has become a lot more intense. The Mathematics struck the first blow with the additions of league sideshow Hector “$howT!m3” Melendez and Sean “$howJu” McClain. While both served as key components of the Rehabs’ offensive attack last season, the Mathematics targeted Melendez for his goaltending skills and their own amusement. In retaliation for these acquisitions, the Rehabs added former Mathematic Anita Khar to their roster. Although Khar’s ice hockey background makes her one of the top female players in the league, the Rehabs may have added her to fill the tomfoolery void left by $howT!m3 and $howJu’s departures.
Keys To The Game:
1. Despite losing their opener to Poutine Machine in a shootout, the Mathematics controlled the majority of play throughout the game. They will need to maintain this control to beat the explosive Rehabs.
2. While the Rehabs were victorious in overtime against the Happy Little Elves last week, they blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2. This may play to the Mathematics’ strength, as the team overcame several halftime deficits last season, in addition to one last week.
3. This game marks the culmination of a week-long birthday celebration for Hector “$howT!m3” Melendez. Other events include a flip-cup tournament, a piñata, and an ice cream social.
Watchability: 4.5 $howJus. The personalities on both sides of the ball should make this a very exciting game.
Week 1 Preview
Thursday, April 8th, 2010The X-Factor’s Offseason Regimen Does Not Inspire
GAME OF THE WEEK
What The Puck at Sky Fighters
Location: Tompkins East, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Sky Fighters lead 7-2
Game Notes: The best game of BTSH’s opening weekend pits perennial contender and 2009 runner up What The Puck in a championship game rematch against the Sky Fighters. Larry “Mad Dog” Zimmer’s Orange Juggernaut boasted the league’s top offense in 2009, and with all of their primary scorers returning, the team is expected to light the lamp often once again. Despite a mid-season ankle injury, Adriano “Muscles Marinara” Bratta led the team with 20 goals. This year, the offense should be further bolstered as he returns at full health. The Sky Fighters were led by defender Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka, who also registered 20 goals. However, unlike previous seasons, Cejka had a much stronger and more noticeable supporting cast, including David Cernan and Greg “Mr. August” Cohan. Together, Cernan and Cohan combined for three of the Sky Fighters six goals in the championship game. With revenge still on What The Puck’s mind, the defending champs will need this supporting cast to step up once again.
Keys To The Game:
1. With the Sky Fighters raising their championship banner in an elaborate pre-game ceremony, they will have a clear mental edge as the game begins.
2. Although What The Puck lost in the championship game, the team is quick to point out that it was their second game of the day, as they had just finished a grueling semifinal against Fresh Kills. The team is looking forward to the chance at avenging its loss while fresh.
3. This contest will feature the two most recent August centerfolds from the BTSH Hunk Calendar. What The Puck’s Salvatore Malguarnera, Jr. was showcased in 2009, while the Sky Fighters Greg “Mr. August” Cohan will be highlighted in 2010. Interestingly, 2008’s Mr. August, Bryan “Stork” Welch, will be reffing.
Eli’s Pick: Sky Fighters. They weren’t intimidated for the championship game, and they won’t be here either.
Derek’s Pick: What The Puck. Mad Dog is too crafty to lose to the same team twice in a row.
Watchability: 5 Hoppers. It’s the championship rematch and also Opening Day.
