As the final two weeks of the regular season approach, we have a humdinger of a race. Basically the league breaks down clearly between Top Six and Bottom Feeders. We made telepathic contact with our friend The Swami for his view on who wins this thing. What'd he say? Read on ...
Phantoms
Record: 6-0, 12 points
Games remaining: Fugaweez (1-5), Stickmen (5-1)
Oddsmakers say: 2-1.
Swami sez: The Phantoms are the team to beat. They have solid goaltending (Jesse Gonzales), solid defense and plenty of scoring threats (Neal, Howard & Co.), not to mention the league’s loudest scream (defenseman Ryan Smith). They've beaten the Spiders and Stingers and Wolverines. (Oh, my.) If they don’t stumble against Fugaweez, Phantoms should be in line to play for the title before moving up to D League. (At least that’s what we hear.)
Patriots
Record: 5-1, 11 points (we stand corrected)
Games remaining: Spiders (5-1), REDRUM (2-4)
Oddsmakers say: 8-1
Swami sez: The Patriots always bring great goaltending, especially when Jon Ellis is in net. But scoring has been a challenge this season (just 2 goals per game), and the Pats haven’t beaten a winning team yet. This Saturday’s showdown with the Spiders will determine whether the Pats are for real.
Spiders
Record: 5-1, 10 points
Games remaining: Patriots (5-1), Blue Devils (2-4)
Oddsmakers say: 6-1
Swami sez: Last week’s 7-2 crushing of the Brewzers showed this team has something in its bag. They have decent goaltending and nearly four goals per game. True enough, they’ve not beaten a winning team except for the Wolverines (in a shootout), but they nearly beat the Phantoms. This could be a good keg matchup. We’ll see how they do against the Patriots.
Stickmen
Record: 5-1, 10 points
Games remaining: Wolverines (4-2), Phantoms (6-0)
Oddsmakers say: 15-1
Swami sez: They’ve played a soft schedule (no meetings against top teams), so it’s hard to tell on this bunch. They do have good goaltending (McCollister), and he’ll be tested against some of the best offensive teams in the next two weeks. We doubt they can pull it off. If they can beat the Wolverines on Saturday, we’ll re-evaluate.
Stingers
Record: 4-2, 10 points
Games remaining: Blue Devils (2-4), Puckers (2-4)
Oddsmakers say: 4-1
Swami sez: Stingers have played one of the toughest schedules and acquitted themselves well, losing in overtime to the Wolverines and in a shootout to the Phantoms. They’ve also beaten the Patriots. Not to mention they have the Jolly Green Giant (aka "Total Eclipse") in net (even if he has the highest GAA among top teams). Oh yeah, they also have the league’s highest scoring average (over 4 gpg) and a soft schedule in the last two weeks. We think they’ll have another shot at the Phantoms in the Keg final.
Wolverines
Record: 4-2, 9 points
Games remaining: Stickmen (5-1), Ice Holes (2-4)
Oddsmakers say: 10-1
Swami sez: The Wolverines had a chance to grab first place last week and stumbled badly against the Phantoms. Their only quality win was in overtime against the Stingers. They have plenty of scoring power and a good goalie, but they need a lot to happen before they can play for a second consecutive Keg. They must start by beating the Stickmen, then hope others lose.
So who plays for the Keg?
Swami sez: Phantoms over the Stingers in overtime.
14 comments:
Probably the greatest post ever on the website...Well done.
Does Vegas have the same odds?
I hate to correct the great blogcaptain...but I believe our noble statkeeper has made a blunder.
The Patriots should have 11 points...the loss in the shootout does result in 1 point, No?
forgive me sir.
Great analysis blogcaptain. It made my hockey weenie happy.
Re: Pats' record ... The great and powerful Blog Captain stands corrected, thereby demonstrating his great humility and kindness toward the I-League Nation. A thousand apologies to Patriots everywhere.
BC
this is why we come to this site. keep up the good work
Swami....so you are saying the stingers will beat your blue devils this weekend?
The Great and Powerful Swami steers clear of any prediction on the Stingers-Blue Devils clash ... In my country, we cherish the wisdom of the great Buddha Gautama Siddharta. One applies to the Blue Devils: “To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others." Another applies to the Stingers: "Life is suffering."
For this game, grasshopper, we leave the predictions to others and let the wisdom of the ages speak for itself.
The Stingers stand tall together but are always guided in their behavior by the philosophy espoused by practitioners of Zen Buddhism.
Except for that pesky
5th precept.
Just wondering, amidst all the Keg talk...where does the Almighty and Just Swami see the humble Komets in the near future...Spare no details oh suthsayer of slapshots...
"In my country, we cherish the wisdom of the great Buddha Gautama Siddharta"
Is that Raul?
After lengthy consultation with the Buddha, the Great Swami can offer the following wisdom to all Komets on the path to that elusive first victory:
Remember this, little bird, you cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself. We ourselves must walk the path. There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth, not going all the way, and not starting. Also remember, my small cricket, what we think, we become.
To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
And do not forget, tiny grasshopper, life is suffering. There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it. The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed. Work out your own salvation and do not depend on others.
When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.
This is Swami -- out.
the body aches for hockey... two weeks without is an eternity.
I hear the Pats are adding "Ringers" from other teams for the last 2 games and for the Keg game.
care to name names?
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