Archive for the ‘Weekly Previews’ Category
Week 16 Preview
Thursday, August 6th, 2009The Unicorns Are Planning Another Upset
GAME OF THE WEEK
Unicorns (8-6) vs. What The Puck (11-3)
Location: Tompkins West, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 7-7
Game Notes: What The Puck captain Larry “Mad Dog” Zimmer has had this game circled on his calendar for a month and a half. Week 11 saw What The Puck swagger into the first matchup between these Woodsworth Divisioin rivals, undefeated and cocky. However, with Adriano “Muscles Marinara” on the disabled list for Larry’s Orange Juggernaut, the Unicorns were victorious 3-2, handing WTP its first loss of the season. Since then, both teams have struggled, as the Unicorns have gone 1-3, and What The Puck has gone 2-2. Each team will look to shake out of the doldrums in this pivotal divisional tilt.
Keys To The Game:
1. After a four-game absence, What The Puck forward Adriano “Muscles Marinara” Bratta returned with a bang, scoring five goals in the team’s 10-2 victory over Mega Touch last week. He is now the league’s second leading scorer with 17 goals on the season.
2. Although it is difficult to tell by just their first names, Unicorns 2009 acquisitions Susanna and Victoria are indeed sisters. Thus, they possess a chemistry on the court that few will ever comprehend.
3. With the Mad Dog out of town, Mike “The X-Factor” Woodsworth took over the reins of captain for What The Puck last week. Is this a sign of a potential power struggle in the future?
Eli’s Pick: What The Puck. Larry will not let his team lose twice to the same opponent.
Derek’s Pick: What The Puck. They looked very impressive last week, and that was with onlyl half the roster present.
Watchability: 4 Ventolieris. It would have been 5, but Ant is playing in this game.
Week 15 Preview
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Karsten’s A Slick One
GAME OF THE WEEK
Dark Rainbows (10-2-0-1) vs. LBS, Inc. (10-3)
Location: Tompkins East, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: LBS, Inc. leads 6-5-1
Game Notes: This battle of Schloeder Division rivals features two of the league’s three 10-win teams. The Dark Rainbows enter this game in second place in the standings, on the strength of an eleven game stretch without a regulation loss. However, in a minor upset, the Rainbows were stymied by another division foe, the Sky Fighters, last week, in what captain Sean Reynolds deemed one of his “most embarrassing sports moments ever.” LBS, Inc. has little to be embarrassed about as the team has won seven consecutive games and now sits in a three-way tie for third place. The corporation has scored the second most goals in BTSH with 55, with the offesnive tandem of Karsten Pichon and “The Alpha Male” Ken Poulin accounting for 31 of them. The Dark Rainbows, who defeated LBS, Inc. 4-2 in Week 3, will have to clamp down on this explosive scoring attack if they want to sweep the season series.
Keys To The Game:
1. Although LBS, Inc.’s duo of Pichon and Poulin generate more accolades, the Dark Rainbows pair of John Nielsen and P.T. Walkley should not be overlooked. The two have combined for 24 goals on the season.
2. LBS, Inc. has the second best goal differential in the league. Although this is mainly bolstered by their high-octane offense, Seth Wachtell’s zen-like approach to goaltending has been a major factor as well.
3. After reading in the Week 14 News and Notes that LBS, Inc. stuffs a $100 bill into the mouth of every goalie the team beats, Rainbows keeper John Meyer has considered throwing this contest…as times have been real tough.
Eli’s Pick: No Pick. Eli will be reffing this game.
Derek’s Pick: LBS, Inc. Although the Rainbows will be looking to avenge last week’s tough loss, LBS is like Hansel and thus, so hot right now.
Watchability: 5 Pichons
Week 14 Preview
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009Too Close For Comfort
Editors’ Note: We have heard your suggestions loud and clear, so this week, we are proud to debut a new component to our weekly game previews. In addition to the game notes and our picks, we will also include a “watchability” rating to help you decide which games will be the most interesting. Games will be judged on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “unwatchable” and 5 being “can’t miss.”
GAME OF THE WEEK
Denim Demons (8-0-2-2) vs. Rehabs (6-4-0-2)
Location: Tompkins West, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Rehabs lead 6-5-1
Game Notes: The media are not above embellishing the intensity of a rivalry to promote a storyline. However, it isn’t hyperbole to say that these teams legitimately do hate each other, and the rift between them continues to grow each time they play. In their 2008 matchup, the Demons outlasted the Rehabs 3-2 in a bitter week 12 struggle that took both teams to the limits. Down, but not out, the Rehabs struck the last blow that day by showering the Demons with a barrage of water balloons. Although the Demons were ready to seek revenge in week 5, forces beyond their control cancelled the game, making this week’s affair their only shot at the Rehabs in 2009. With all this pent up aggression and frustration ready to be released, someone may leave this game in a body bag.
Keys To The Game:
1. The Rehabs have allowed just 23 goals this season, tying them for second in BTSH. Despite their struggles over the last few weeks, the defense has remained one of the top shot blocking units in the league.
2. To counter the returns of Jon “Dinner Plate” Feldman and Stacy Kehoe to the Rehabs, Denim Demons captain Adam “Legend Killer” Rubens is reportedly bringing back one of the Demons’ greatest forwards from the past, “Hacksaw” Jim Dandeneau.
3. In a possible sign of a thaw in relations between these two teams, Mike Pereira of the Demons and Rob Blandi of the Rehabs were spotted having lunch together at an undisclosed (though supposedly trendy) upscale Manhattan eatery. The bill was split 50-50.
Eli’s Pick: Rehabs. They’ve lost each of their last five games by one goal and are due for a huge win.
Derek’s Pick: Denim Demons. They have promised to bring Rubens Rock to this game, so you know they’ll be giving 110%.
Watchability: 5 Hacketts
Week 13 Preview
Thursday, July 16th, 2009The Demons Will Need Their Defense To Stop Those Guns
GAME OF THE WEEK
Sky Fighters (7-4) vs. Denim Demons (7-0-2-2)
Location: Tompkins East, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Denim Demons lead 4-2
Game Notes: Although this is one of the few inter-divisional matchups on the docket this week, through an odd scheduling quirk, this will be the Sky Fighters’ fourth consecutive Rubens Division opponent and the Demons’ third consecutive Schloeder Division opponent. The Sky Fighters have looked like a more complete team this season, as several players have contributed to their success. In the past, their scoring attack has revolved solely around Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka, but in recent weeks, the team has found other ways to win. Newcomer Greg Cohan led the team with two goals in their week 12 victory over Fresh Kills, and goalie Robert Kucera recorded a shutout against the Rehabs in week 11. With the Denim Demons’ win in week 12 against the Mighty Squirrels, they continue to remain the only team in BTSH without a regulation loss. The team has clearly relied on its defense and goaltending this season, as the Demons now rank first in the league in goals against (16) and shutouts (4). However, with five goals in the Demons’ last two games, forward Jeff Kamen has established himself as the hottest scorer in BTSH. The Sky Fighters will have their hands full as they try to stop him and the Fightin’ Rubens.
Keys To The Game:
1. There may be a goalie controversy brewing in Sky Fighters camp, as both James Stein and Robert Kucera have performed well this season. Although Stein is listed as the official starter, Kucera has both of the team’s shutouts this season.
2. All eyes will be on Demons forward Micael Holmström and Sky Fighters defender Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka. They are two of the most skilled players in BTSH and both have the ability to take over a game.
3. Captain Adam “Legend Killer” Rubens has promised to take the entire team out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday should the Demons win. Ana Hurka-Robles is especially excited, as she has always been a fan of their Thai Phoon Shrimp appetizer.
Eli’s Pick: Sky Fighters. Martin’s due for a big game.
Derek’s Pick: Denim Demons. According to Ruby Tuesday’s website, Thai Phoon Shrimp is “the perfect storm of texture and flavors.” Just like the Demons.
Week 12 Preview
Thursday, June 25th, 2009Not Pictured: Derek And Rich Shopping At Toys R Us Together
GAME OF THE WEEK
Happy Little Elves (4-6) vs. Mathematics (3-4-1-2)
Location: Tompkins East, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Mathematics lead 1-0
Game Notes: Despite the sub .500 records of both of these teams, few games have had as much buildup and intrigue to them this season. The Happy Little Elves, based primarily on their 2008 performance and choice of team color, have become a favorite target of the Mathematics-run media’s jokes. The Elves have responded in kind by swamping the comments section of posts with non-sensical ramblings and incoherent jibber-jabber directed at the Mathematics. Although the volleys from each side generally remained friendly and lighthearted, the rivalry took a nasty turn two weeks ago, when Mathematics defender Sarah “T-Bone” Torneten defected to the Elves. As a result, Mathematics captain Derek Tagliarino has ordered team goon Georgine “Mulva” Paulin to go after Torneten’s weak knees on their first shift together. In an additional storyline, Happy Little Elves walking punch line Rich Glanzer and Tagliarino have pumped up the intensity even further, by wagering their prized championship belts on the outcome of this matchup. Although there is only one point separating these two teams in the standings, more is at stake in this game than a simple win or loss.
Keys To The Game:
1. After serving a two-game suspension, recent Elves addition Eric “El Guapo” DiPierri is now eligible to play his first game with his new team. Though sluggish at times, DiPierri does posses one of the better shots in the league.
2. With six of their nine points coming from games they trailed at the half, the Mathematics have proved to be a very resilient team. However, they will need to play two solid halves to beat the Elves.
3. This is the first ever Game of the Week apperance for the Happy Little Elves, due to their residence at the bottom of the standings. Will they rise to the occassion or crack under the pressure now that they are firmly in the spotlight?
