Posts Tagged ‘Weekly Previews’
Week 13 Preview
Thursday, July 29th, 2010At Least One Person Likes The Mathematics
GAME OF THE WEEK
Gut Rot (4-6-0-1) at Mathematics (4-5-0-2)
Location: Tompkins East, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Game Notes: Two teams within striking distance of the MacNeil Division crown face off for the only time this season. Prior to last week’s tough loss against the Denim Demons, Gut Rot had won three games in a row. Included in this stretch were an overtime triumph against the defending champion Sky Fighters and a gratifying shootout victory over the Butchers (and many of their former teammates). The team is now third in the division, four points behind the first place Tompkins Square Riots. The Mathematics sit in second place, just three points behind the Riots. They have won their last three games, including last Sunday’s 4-2 victory over the Unicorns, their most notable of the season. They have also tallied 13 goals during this streak, which is more than half of their season total. With Gut Rot and the Mathematics finally out of the cellar of the MacNeil Division, neither will want to relinquish its momentum.
Keys To The Game:
1. Although much of the media’s attention has been on Fresh Kills rookie goaltender Patrick Barch, Gut Rot’s rookie between the pipes, Bill, has also had a very solid season. He has been a consistent backbone as the defense continues to build its chemistry following the offseason departures.
2. Mathematics defender Andy Pratt finally had his “Andy Pratt Game” last weekend, scoring three times against the Unicorns. His presence on the point also generates numerous scoring chances for his teammates.
3. Vicky of Gut Rot and the Mathematics’ Ali Corsi have been friends since attending the same high school. Much like Diana Hart, who was forced to watch her husband the British Bulldog and brother Bret “The Hitman” Hart wrestle each other during Summerslam ’92, Vicky’s sister Susannah Pasquantonio is torn between her allegiance to her sister and her good friend.
Watchability: 3.5 Gilligans. Mathematics spirit captain Laura is super excited and “can’t wait” for this game.
Week 12 Preview
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010“Damn It Derek, Enough With The Lime Green Shirts!”
GAME OF THE WEEK
Filthy Gorgeous (7-2-0-1) at Sky Fighters (6-3-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Filthy Gorgeous leads 2-1
Game Notes: Two of the league’s highest scoring teams face off in this Weyersberg Conference matchup. After a mediocre 2-2 start to the season, Filthy Gorgeous has steamrolled the competition, going 5-0-0-1 in its last six games. The team’s offense has been on fire yet again this year, with the trio of Sunny Mehra (10), “Gentleman” James Pereira (9), and Suvin “The Guru” Malik (7) combining for 26 of Filthy’s 39 goals. The Sky Fighters offense has also been potent, as the team has found the back of the net 36 times this season. However, unlike previous years, when the team relied heavily on Czech national Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka, the Fighters boast a deeper and more balanced attack. Six different players on the team have scored at least four goals, but no one has scored more than six. With only two points separating these teams in the overall standings, both squads will be thinking about potential playoff seeding as we begin the home stretch of the season.
Keys To The Game:
1. Dan “D.O.” Owens has been rock solid in net for Filthy Gorgeous this season. He has allowed more than two goals just twice. However, he is yet to record a shutout.
2. Sky Fighters starting goalie James Stein has listed himself as “out” for this game with a bad case of scurvy. Backup Robert Kucera is expected to start in his place.
3. To counteract the presence of the Sky Fighers’ teenage prodigy Sam Lassner, Filthy Gorgeous captain Monica Russo has enlisted the help of a third Pereira brother: twelve year old John “Scooter” Pereira.
Eli’s Pick: Filthy Gorgeous. They’ve quietly moved into second place in the Rubens Division.
Derek’s Pick: Filthy Gorgeous. Scooter’s speed and hard wrist shot should complement the abilities of his linemates Joe “Monster Mash” Essock and Liza Watts nicely.
Watchability: 4 Workys. With the Sky Fighters sporting their blue jerseys as the home team, will we get to see Filthy’s V-necks yet again?
Week 11 Preview
Thursday, July 15th, 2010Josh Wilson Lurks In The Shadows
GAME OF THE WEEK
Fresh Kills (6-2-0-1) at Dark Rainbows (5-2-0-2)
Location: Tompkins East, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Dark Rainbows lead 6-3
Game Notes: Division leaders collide as Fresh Kills and the Dark Rainbows face off for the first time since their opening round contest in the 2009 playoffs. Fresh Kills has ascended to the top of the Donohue Division thanks to the stellar play of its youth, something the team has not possessed in the past. Rookie forward Justin Ross has overshadowed his veteran teammates with seven goals and has scored in four of his last five games. Fellow rookie, goaltender Patrick Barch leads the league in shutouts with three and has been the backbone of a defense that has allowed the fewest goals in BTSH. The Dark Rainbows, after a disappointing 0-2 start, have climbed to a share of the Hackett Division lead with no regulation losses in their last seven games. John Nielsen is tied for fifth in the league scoring race with eight goals, including a stretch of five consecutive games with at least one. With each team fighting for supremacy in its respective division, can the veteran experience of the Rainbows win out over the relative youth of Fresh Kills?
Keys To The Game:
1. Fresh Kills captain Dave Sokolyansky and his brother Mike are not twins. Despite this fact, however, they have both scored four goals this season, and they also wear matching shirts for each game.
2. The Dark Rainbows are still on a high from capturing the prestigious (yet imaginary) Fairy Tale Cup for the first time in franchise history. They hope to carry the momentum over into this game, despite a three-week layoff.
3. In their last meeting, during the 2009 playoffs, the 11th seed Fresh Kills upset the 6th seed Dark Rainbows 3-1. However, a lot has changed for Fresh Kills since then, as one of their three goal scorers, as well as their starting goalie for that game now play for the Tompkins Square Riots.
Eli’s Pick: Fresh Kills. I can’t pick against a sensitive guy like Kevin “The Planet” Foster.
Derek’s Pick: Dark Rainbows. They seem to have shaken the early season rust and are in prime position for another solid run.
Watchability: 4 Sokolyanskies. It should be noted that this rating scale is named after Mike, and not Dave.
Week 10 Preview
Thursday, June 24th, 2010Who Doesn’t Enjoy A Good Popsicle?
GAME OF THE WEEK
Denim Demons (7-1) at Corlears Hookers (5-2)
Location: Tompkins West, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Corlears Hookers lead 3-1
Game Notes: In the short time since the establishment of the Corlears Hookers in 2007, the Denim Demons have become one of their fiercest opponents. The rivalry took off in 2008 when the Demons became the first team to hand the Hookers a loss at Moffo. In 2009, the animosity intensified even further when league scheduler Jeremy “The Foot” Schumacher assigned both teams to the same division (later named the Rubens), forcing them to face off twice in the regular season. The Hookers took the first of these games in Week 2, when they squeezed past the Demons with a 3-2 win in a shootout. In Week 19, the Hookers completed the season sweep with a 4-1 win. However, the Fightin’ Rubens had the last laugh, as they ultimately won the Rubens Division title and were the top seed in the playoffs. With both the Denim Demons and Corlears Hookers once again in the Rubens Division, they will duel twice more this season, with the second matchup taking place on September 26. As this rivalry opens a new chapter in its history, expect an intense game from both sides.
Keys To The Game:
1. After a string of four successive one-goal victories, the Demons won another close game last Sunday, 4-2 against Mega Touch. Their ability to come through in high-pressure situations will only serve them well against the veteran and talented Hookers.
2. Due to excessive absences and freak injuries, Jason Eitel has been a very small part of the Hookers’ offense this season. However, proud parent of Dutch’s niece, Gavin “Dutch’s Brother” Kearney has picked up the slack and leads the team with eight goals.
3. Congratulations to Denim Demon Steve Chernoski, who will be tying the knot on Saturday. Although he is happy to have several of his teammates in attendance for this joyous occasion, he may be in for an unexpected surprise. Unfortunately, when Chernoski requested to have “Rubens’ Rock” at the wedding, the DJ misunderstood him and will thus be playing only Steely Dan.
Eli’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. I’m not quite sure what the state of the Demons will be after an intense night of partying.
Derek’s Pick: Denim Demons. An intense game in the summer heat goes to the team with the deeper bench.
Watchability: 5 Chernoskis. May your first child be a masculine child.
Week 9 Preview
Thursday, June 17th, 2010Sven Is In No Mood To Deal With Bob Again
GAME OF THE WEEK
Poutine Machine (3-3) at Tompkins Square Riots (4-3)
Location: Tompkins East, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Tompkins Square Riots lead 1-0
Game Notes: The top two teams in the MacNeil Division face off for the second time this season on Sunday. In the first meeting between Poutine Machine and the Tompkins Square Riots, the Riots blanked the Machine 5-0. Five different players scored a goal, while Dave Gil de Rubio recorded his only shutout of the season. However, Poutine captain Patrick “Sven” Larsen did not let the loss destroy his squad’s spirits. Since then, the team has split four games to stay within striking distance of the division lead. With a win on Sunday, Poutine Machine would split the season series with the Riots, but more important, move into a tie for first in the division.
Keys To The Game:
1. Poutine Machine currently ranks last in BTSH with only eight goals and has already been shutout twice this season (including Week 2 against the Riots). In order to win, Sven and Company will need to rediscover the offense they exhibited in Week 3, when they defeated Gut Rot 4-3.
2. Patrik Blohmé and Alexandre Frenette have combined to account for half of the Riots’ goals this season. One league member remarked last week that this Swedish-Canadian combo is reminiscent of Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic when they led the Avalanche to two Stanley Cup championships.
3. Poutine Machine’s Kevin MacDonald has an unusual way of getting amped prior to every game. He eats a complete breakfast, begins stretching 20 minutes before the opening whistle, and listens to rock songs on his iPod.
Eli’s Pick: Tompkins Square Riots. This game will be closer than their first matchup, but in the end, the Riots sweep the season series.
Derek’s Pick: No pick. Derek will be reffing this game.
Watchability: 3.5 Blohmés. Both of these new teams are still trying to establish a name for themselves.
