I League Midseason Report.

So halfway through this glorious session, the question on everyone’s mind is…WHO WILL PLAY FOR THE KEG?

Unlike last session, pretty much every team give or take a couple still have an outside chance at making the prestigious Keg game. (last season it was a competition of 4 awesome teams, and then there was the rest of the league)…not so this season my friend.

The Top Dogs.

Fugaweez
Meet the Ohio State of I League….heck, they even have the same colors…Fugs have proven themselves to have a pretty good balance of Offense with Lehr, Doc and Sandlin, while on defense, points don’t come easily against Tilly and Co… not to mention goaltending when needed. The most they have scored this season is 3, so we don’t know if that’s the cap, or if they have another gear they haven’t hit yet. Big wins over the Patriots and Blue Devils, in regulation mind you, have been the proving ground for this well oiled machine. Being undefeated so far has put the Fugs in control of their own destiny. We can pretty much assume, unless a meltdown happens, Fugs will have the top spot, let the battle for 2nd begin….

Stickmen
With the Fugaweez seeming to be making all the noise, no one really noticed the Stickmen up there undefeated until last weekend, with the lowest GAA in the league. This is a stingy team much like the Fugaweez and Patriots. However the shocking loss to the Stingers in the Shootout may make some question this team’s resolve in tight games.

Spiders
Speaking of under the radar…this team came out of no where and is practically tied for 2nd place. A lot of people didn’t expect much from this team, especially after losing Rahul Sharma after last session. The come from behind win against the Wolverines has provided a spark for the spiders who just came off a trouncing of the Ice Holes. With momentum shifters in Chris Gallagher, Alex Atkins, and Patti Greco, this team is never out of a game. Like all the top spots in the league, this team can score, protect a lead, and goaltending to come up big when needed.

Patriots
Losing John Ellis was bad, but Picking up Jesse Gonzales made things well again. The Patriots really haven’t changed a whole lot from last session: Playing tight Defense led by Les and Sabrina York as well as Hockey Whore Rahul Sharma, scoring at the last minute, as well as having excellent goaltending. Goal Scoring has been a slight problem with only 7 goals so far, but little is much when Defense abounds. The Pats did lose a couple players in the transition of sessions, but at the same time, picked up speedy Phantom’s forwards Bryan Brookman and Nate Hodges, while still keeping excellent forward attack in Butch Hutchinson, Steve Benefield, and Co. This team has the weapons and talent to make it to the keg, But they’ll need to score points to get there.

In the Hunt

Stingers
Stingers are in the same position they were last session…..In the hunt…Goaltending by Dana “Total Eclipse” Fanili has always been a key to their success. Scoring from the random appearing Jason Isham as well as a couple other regular stingers, the Junker family, makes some think this team could actually pull off a couple wins and be there come mid december. With only 1 Regulation loss, this team knows how to play close games, and how to win them too.

Brewzers
With their Big wins to start the Season, some though the Brewzers would be off and running to their 2nd keg in 3 seasons. But 2 back to back losses have some thinking maybe not. Captain Jamir Jabri, after his 1st game tear has yet to really put anything on the board, even though he still leads the league in goals and points, and unless someone really breaks out, he will win the scoring title this session…..Yea, we just kinda randomly invented that just now….This team needs a big win and fast if its going to stay in competition with the herd running for the top 2 spots in the conference.

Got a Long Shot…

Blue Devils
Never Count Diablo Azul out of any scenario until they are officially out of contention. Blue Devils have shown to have offensive abilities, as shown in their 8-1 blow out of the Komets, but also have the ability to hang close with the top runners, evident in their 2-1 loss to the Fugs. Many would have though the departure of Mike Drago and company to D league would have spelt the end for the BD, but they’ve rallied, led big time by their Goalie Mike Redmond. If BD gets on a roll…fear them….one wonders…if Blue Devils make the Keg….would Blog Captain return for one last game with his old I League Mates?

Wolverines
After dropping their first two, Head Coach Bobby Sirkis Jr was upset. Now he can drink with a smile knowing that his team is in contention. 2 straight solid wins have some thinking the first couple of losses were flukes, which they might have been. Low bench numbers have always plagued the wolverines, but have always managed to find ways to win games. With scoring threats from Mustberger, the Ever Dangerous Conner Brothers as well as Robert Sirkis Sr, this team can turn on scoring at will and shut teams down as well. Goaltending from Chris Duran has always been amazing. If anyone is looking for a team on Fire (besides the fugaweez) here you go.

Ice Holes
This team confuses us. After going on a 7 game win streak from last session into this one, we thought we had a keg contender. But after a couple heart breakers, we the managment, don't know what the heck to think. The Ice Holes are the enigma of the I League. They've won the keg twice so they know how to get there, question is can they win their next 4 in a row?

Komets
Do you believe in Miracles? After starting the season being blanked by the Fugaweez, Komets’ fans across America braced for the worst…then celebrated when beating the Snipers….then came crashing back to reality in the slaughter by the Blue Devils….But with a shootout win over the Brewzers…..is it possible this team has gelled and is moving forward? Speed and Scoring opportunites exist with Scott Baldree, Dustin Nation, and Mike Gallagher. Goaltending this session has been 100% improved from last session with some of the saves goalie Brett Bryant has made. Evident in his perfection in the shootout, some think that this could have sparked something in the Komets…..The NCAA Tourney had George Mason…..The Euless I league has the Komets…..

Almost There

True.com
David Benson is a warrior. This team isn’t the new kid on the block anymore. The team, while a keg may be out of the question this session, next year….watch out. After pushing the Patriots to the verge of defeat, some wonder if true.com still has another gear they haven’t hit yet. With some solid defense behind them, true.com could play the role of spoiler this session, then raise havoc next season. Also, we want to know if they plan on getting a mascot anytime soon.

Struggling

Puckers
Not the best start the lucky puckers wanted. But the talent is there. Technically they aren’t out of the keg yet, but hopes are fading very quickly. Have the puckers ever made it close to the keg? We don’t know. But they have the options to hit the back of the net with the Lehr Brothers always a threat. Not to mention half the fugaweez team plays on this team, so enough said right there.

Shockers
A really good bunch of guys, however have just come a tad bit short in some of their losses. Chris Duran always comes to play in net. He has had a couple of bad breaks here and there. Many didn’t expect much from this new team, but with each and every game played, this team gels a little more. Fear this team next session.

Snipers
This is just an unfortunate start for the snipers. We know this team has just been the recipient of some bad bounces, but 0-4. ouch. Keg title is mathematically impossible. Start Rebuilding and hope for better bounces next season is all the management can say. Probably the best winless team ever to exist. We don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but this team is competitive.

So The Main Prediction:
Keg Game: Fugaweez vs Patriots…(patriots get in on tiebreakers)