Posts Tagged ‘2008 season’
Playoff Preview: Semifinals (Part II)
Thursday, October 16th, 2008Yeah, Fernando, We’re Going To Need You To Come In On Sunday…
#2 LBS, Inc. (15-3-1) vs. #10 Fresh Kills (10-8-0-1)
Location: Corlears South, 4:00 PM
All-Time Series: Fresh Kills leads 9-5
2008 Result: Week 15 – LBS, Inc. 6, Fresh Kills 3
Game Notes: As the #2 seed, LBS, Inc. was supposed to be in this game. They have looked nearly impenetrable throughout the regular season, and their momentum continued into the playoffs. In the opening round, they blanked Mexican Standoff 4-0, despite the absence of star player (and self-proclaimed “cleanest player in the game”) “The Alpha Male” Ken Poulin. They also weathered a spirited challenge from the Unicorns in the quarterfinals, ultimately prevailing in a shootout. As the #10 seed, Fresh Kills is the clear Cinderella story of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. After a mediocre regular season, Fresh Kills turned on the light switch for the postseason. In the opening round, they survived a 1-0 battle against the dangerous Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka-led Sky Fighters with gritty play and tenacity. They continued by stunning regular season champion What The Puck the following Sunday. Both LBS, Inc. and Fresh Kills have been cornerstones of the league for several seasons, resulting in a storied and competitive rivalry. Although LBS, Inc. defeated Fresh Kills in their 2008 regular season matchup, Fresh Kills is responsible for eliminating The Corporation from the playoffs in 2007.
Keys To The Game For LBS, Inc.:
1. “Hollywood” Jeff Lesser may be a star in some circles, but “The Alpha Male” Ken Poulin isn’t buying it. He warned, “We’re going to hand Jeff Lessy [sic] his ass implants back to him after the game.” Whether Poulin’s comments actually serve to motivate his team remains to be seen.
2. Karsten Pichon finished second in the regular season with 20 goals and has also added two more in the playoffs. When he is on, LBS, Inc. is tough to beat.
3. Captain Sascha Puritz is always quick to note that Seth Wachtell has been one of BTSH’s top goalies over the past few seasons, despite a limited amount of press. He is the only goalie remaining in the playoffs who has led his team to a championship.
Keys To The Game For Fresh Kills:
1. Alicia Walker returned to the team last week after a brief (and unexcused) hiatus to get married. While she does not score a lot of goals, she has already fit back into her familiar role as one of Fresh Kills’ top playmakers.
2. Dave Sokolyansky will serve as Fresh Kills’ offensive counter-punch to the scoring prowess of Karsten Pichon. Last week, Sokolyansky tallied a hat trick, including the game-winner in double overtime.
3. Don’t let Bob “Olmec” Weyersberg shoot.
Eli’s Pick: LBS, Inc. Every time The Alpha Male has run his mouth, they have followed it up with a win.
Derek’s Pick: LBS, Inc. Fresh Kills’ playoff run makes for a very nice story, but I don’t think it’s in the cards for them to advance another round.
Playoff Preview: Semifinals (Part I)
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008Bad Neighbors?
#3 Corlears Hookers (15-4) vs. #4 Filthy Gorgeous (14-4-1)
Location: Corlears South, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Corlears Hookers lead 2-0
2008 Result: Week 2 – Corlears Hookers 3, Filthy Gorgeous 1
Game Notes: Due to the intertwining history of the Corlears Hookers and Filthy Gorgeous, there is no shortage of bad blood between these two teams. Peter “Purple Rain” Putka, Chris Beauvois, and Josh Sadlier-Brown were all members of Filthy Gorgeous in 2006, but left the team the following season to establish the Corlears Hookers. There are a litany of other backstories in this rivalry, but decorum prohibits listing them here. Although their first round win over Cobra Kai was somewhat expected, the Hookers made an emphatic statement last Sunday by defeating the defending champion Dark Rainbows 8-0. With a nearly full roster (whither Dutch?) in attendance for the game, they finally showcased their full talent and potential. While Filthy Gorgeous hasn’t been as dominant as the Hookers offensively in the postseason, the defense has been just as stingy. Goalie Dan Owens and the Filthy D combined to shut out the Denim Demons, and they held the Mathematics to only two goals. Filthy Gorgeous has never beaten the Corlears Hookers, but a close game is expected as each of their two previous meetings was decided by just two goals.
Keys To The Game For The Corlears Hookers:
1. The Corlears Hookers boast what is arguably the best goalie tandem in all of BTSH. Regardless of whether Chris Beauvois or Dustin “Fake Dutch’s Brother” Olson starts for them this week, a shutout is always a distinct possibility.
2. Although their women tend to fly under the radar, they are just as responsible for the Hookers’ deep playoff run as the guys are.
3. Albert “Al” Huang’s aggressive and up-tempo style of play energizes and motivates his teammates, but it has occassionally gotten him into trouble with his opposition and the league’s referees. Al is quick to point out, however, that he could never possibly cheat…because “dudes with glasses just don’t do that”.
Keys To The Game For Filthy Gorgeous:
1. Although star forward James Pereira was held off the scoreboard in the quarterfinals, Filthy still managed to rally behind him to seal the victory. However, as his first round output of five goals indicates, he is still fully capable of taking over a game offensively.
2. Rookie sensation Matt Workman scored Filthy’s only goal in their regular season meeting with the Hookers. He has been a key player for them all season, and they will need another strong performance by him in this game.
3. While Dan Owens has been very solid in goal, and we believe he has a firm lock on the position, Filthy does have an extremely capable backup in Liza Watts. She has already notched a victory in the highly competitive Women’s All-Star Game this season.
Eli’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. Defense wins championships, and they have allowed, by a very sizable margin, the fewest goals in the league (23 goals in 19 games).
Derek’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. Each of the other three semi-finalist teams implored me not to pick them at some point on Sunday, so this is a way to make at least one of them happy.
Photo of the Week
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008Motivational Techniques
“If we beat Filthy, everybody gets one turn!”
Quarterfinals Box Scores
Monday, October 13th, 2008Business As Usual For LBS, Inc.
#2 LBS, Inc. 3, #9 Unicorns 2 (2OT-SO)
LBS, Inc.: Jason Bogdaneris, “The Alpha Male” Ken Poulin
Unicorns: Courtney, Jesse
Shootout: LBS, Inc. wins 2-1 in three rounds. Successful attempts by Sam Anthony (LBS), Karsten Pichon (LBS), and Jesse (UNI).
#3 Corlears Hookers 8, #6 Dark Rainbows 0
Corlears Hookers: Reilly “Fake Dutch” Olson 3, Josh Sadlier-Brown 2, Jason Eitel, Gavin “Dutch’s Brother” Kearney, Peter “Purple Rain” Putka
Shutout: Dustin “Fake Dutch’s Brother” Olson
#10 Fresh Kills 4, #1 What The Puck 3 (2OT)
Fresh Kills: Dave Sokolyansky 3, Alicia Walker
What The Puck: Darrell “Accurate Bob” Hartman 2, Corey “Chongo” Winters
Game Notes: Winters scored the tying goal with 30 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Sokolyansky scored the game-winning goal in double overtime.
#4 Filthy Gorgeous 3, #5 Denim Demons 0
Filthy Gorgeous: Suvin “The Guru” Malik, Matt Novick, Dan Owens
Shutout: Dan Owens
Game Notes: Yes, you read that correctly…Filthy Gorgeous goalie Dan Owens scored an empty net goal.
Happy Little Elves 5, Bad Touch 4 (2OT)
Happy Little Elves: Demetri Adrahtas 2, Garrett Carrino, Rob Muggeo, Jarome “Hornswoggle” Ramos
Bad Touch: Martin Olson 3, Mark Anderson
Game Notes: Anderson scored the game-tying goal late in the second half of regulation. Carrino scored the game-winner with forty-five seconds remaining in the second overtime period.
Tuques 3, Mighty Squirrels 2 (OT)
Tuques: Alfred Liu, Zoe Markwick, Sarah Moore
Mighty Squirrels: Jason “Cheek” Cheek, Jesse Kalb
Game Notes: After both teams were scoreless in the second half, Markwick scored the overtime winner for the Tuques.
Rehabs “Defeat” Sky Fighters Via Forfeit
Game Notes: With Amy Lott and Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka both injured, the Sky Fighters were forced to forfeit due to a lack of attendance.
Mexican Standoff 3, Gouging Anklebiters 2
Mexican Standoff: Gary Cohen 2, Len Guinto
Gouging Anklebiters: Eric “El Guapo” DiPierri 2
Cobra Kai 9, Mathematics 0
Cobra Kai: Adriano “Muscles Marinara” Bratta 3, Rem Garavito 3, Ray “Domino” Chan, Morgan “Secretary of Defense” Doninger, Becky Pear
Shutout: Paul “P.J.” Lopez
October 12th Consolation Games
Friday, October 10th, 2008The Elves Finally Get Top Billing
Happy Little Elves (1-15-1-1) vs. Bad Touch (2-16-1)
Location: Corlears North, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Bad Touch leads 1-0
Game Notes: The Elves are looking to snap a 14 game losing streak.
Mighty Squirrels (7-8-3) vs. Tuques (8-10)
Location: Corlears South, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Tuques lead 6-1
Game Notes: The Squirrels are looking to snap an eight game losing streak.
Gouging Anklebiters (4-14) vs. Mexican Standoff (3-13-2-1)
Location: Corlears North, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Gouging Anklebiters lead 8-3
Game Notes:Eric “El Guapo” DiPierri of the Gouging Anklebiters is questionable for this game, as he may be serving a team suspension.
Sky Fighters (11-7) vs. Rehabs (10-6-1-1)
Location: Corlears South, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Sky Fighters lead 4-3
Game Notes: This is actually a decent game.
Mathematics (6-12) vs. Cobra Kai (5-11-1-1)
Location: Corlears North, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Mathematics lead 5-0
Game Notes: Sheena Otto of the Mathematics will be looking for revenge against her former team.
