Elite 8: 2025 Playoff Preview
2:15 PM Vertz vs Cobra Kai (West)
The Vertz have a juggernaut offense led by a number of former college hockey players whom I can only assume Brian Hicks recruited with the same energy as White Goodman in Dodgeball. That being said, the heart of this team remains with long-time ball hockey degenerates; Brian and Sarah, Russo, Ramy, Minsky, etc [eds note., Minsky out this week]. This team moves the puck in five-player units better than any other BTSH team. There have been a number of times this season where the Vertz absolutely bullied some really good teams, scoring goals in bunches.
Cobra Kai are an experienced team with number of players with strong work ethics and high-end hockey IQs. I think Tom McGuire is BTSH’s Patrice Bergeron because his all-around game is unflappable. The Cobra Kai f/nb players are all really hard-working and have the capacity to score a timely goal. Without knowing whether Sonj or Campbell is slated to start in goal, both are technically and mentally strong net minders who won’t be fazed by the Vertz’s weapons.
These two teams played a tight game back in May. If the Vertz get an early lead then Cobra Kai could be in trouble as they’re forced to start taking risks, but in a tight, low-scoring matchup Cobra Kai may have the temerity and discipline to pull through. -Herman
3:30 PM Renaissance vs Denim Demons (West)
Two fun squads; one, a group of close friends that do basically everything together, and the other, a rather eclectic mix of old timers with some free agent recruits sprinkled in.
It’s hard not to credit GM Adam Herman with this year’s ascent to the top of division four thanks to an under-the-radar offseason for the ages and some nifty coaching throughout the year. But the Rens are a darn good team, both deep and well rounded. The Demons did have the edge in the one meeting this season by a score of 6-2, but playoffs are playoffs. Sure the Rens barely outed the Fighters last week, but I’m unsure the Demons will be a tougher opponent than the quietly underrated Sky Fighters.
That all being said, the dangerous combination of elite team chemistry and Halloween weekend debauchery could cause some issues for the Renaissance come Sunday morning, but alas I’m sticking with the Rens (sorry Herman), though this will likely be a close game once again. -Minsky
2:15 PM Poutine Machine vs Mega Touch (East)
Poutine Machine eked one out last week in the shootout against the Lbs in a game slightly closer than most predicted, while Mega Touch bested the Dark Rainbows 4-1 in a game probably also closer than most predicted.
These were our top two ranked teams in the preseason preview, and for a reason- they are each quite stacked. Both teams have offensive firepower, oodles of depth, strong ladies, and solid goaltending. While Mega have the better women, and came out on top a few weeks ago, the Machines might posses the edge in net, and much of the playoffs come down to goaltending.
I can easily see this game go either way, and it will certainly be an elite eight matchup they’ll be recounting for generations to come, but gun to my head, I’d take Poutine by mere centimeters. -Minsky
3:30 PM Fresh Kills vs Instant Karma (East)
It’s a matchup between what I believe are the two underestimated teams in BTSH. Fresh Kills have a deep roster with solid communal offense and a number of players who battle hard to protect their net front and tilt the court in their favor. The offseason addition of Sebbi Foster has proven massive, as he has the skill on the ball to individually turn a stalemate into a win.
Instant Karma, meanwhile, feature what I believe is the league’s most underrated duo in Sean Clarke and Alexander Vukasin. Clarke brings electric north-south speed while Vukasin is pure muscle and is a threat to muscle his way to the net or rip a shot from distance. Kev McKinlay is also the type of defenseman who has the endurance to withstand a lengthy playoff battle and take advantage of tired teams late in close games.
According to league sources, Instant Karma are expected to be without the services of multiple key players, including Goaltender of the Year candidate Steve Friedman. Attendance could end up being the determining factor in this matchup. -Herman
-BTSH Media Team
All rankings and blurbs are the opinions of the writers and do not reflect the endorsement of the league’s leadership (even if they are written by individual members of the league’s leadership).