predictions?

Yes! The schedule is finally out (http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players-division-schedule.html?divisionid=17603) and the excitement is building.

Twelve hungry teams will enter the rink to fight it out (or hug it out) over a nine game session. Most of them are the regular names we have seen for several sessions now, some with new rosters. Of course the new team: Army of the Twelve Monkeys looks to make a corpulent impression on our little league, their first practice is tonight. I thought, as your humble blogger, that I might give you my take on each of these teams in their current incarnations.

W L OL

The Grave Diggers- 3 6
The surprise sophomore team will stumble a bit this season. Sirkus (the senior) has assembled a new look team and the cadets will struggle with deciding weather gravedigger is one word or two. Watch out for last session's "most improved" Grave Digger, she is anxious to move to MVP status.

The Brewzers- 4 3 2
The best looking team in the league will scrape together a respectable season with their all but immutable cast. For some reason these guys have trouble making their games. If they can restore their passion for the game, this could be one of the elite teams...

The Blue Devils- 4 4 1
The venerable devils will not taste the ambrosia of I-league supremacy. Uninspired offense, chaotic defense, if any team could use a new look it's this squad (Drago, I'm looking at you).

The Warriors- 6 2 1
The returning champions will have the bull's eye on their back, but few will hit the mark. Without the stifling coaching of Dallas Lehr this team should be consistently performing at their keg game level. GET YOUR POPCORN READY!

The Patriots- 5 3 1
Les York has seen the writing on the wall and with several key trades and acquisitions looks to gain the dominance he lost in the last game he played... But it will take more than nine games to restore this franchise.

The Komets- 4 3 2
Prove me wrong mighty Komets. I just don't think you're ready. This team needs more than a super girl, they need a super man (I can feel your anger, use it, use your anger, Mel, strike me down).

The Snipers- 3 5 1
Another oldie but goody team, maybe too old, a team plagued with multi-team players, they never seem to have the stamina for three periods of demanding I-league hockey and without an IV of fresh bodies I don't see this team making it out of the basement.

The Ice Holes- 7 0 2
The stingy Ice Holes won't be allowing many goals this session either, handing out virtually all of the overtime losses to the league. Can Doug Taylor's decrepit body handle all of those extra minutes? They will lose their playoff game(s).

The Spiders- 4 3 2
The word on the street is that a little known goal tending commodity will be in the Spider stable and I ,for one, hope this is true. The Roach's diminutive frame houses a great talent. If the remainder of the team can score the timely goal this posse will easily surpass my predicted record.

The Puckers- 1 7 1
The lowly Puckers. Could a more terrible record happen to such a distinguished troupe? The giant killers are unable to string together two wins this season, but who will fall victim to these lovable losers this session?

The Stickmen- 4 2 2
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. The Stickmen need a striker. Perennial all star goalie Blubaugh (coming off of injury) must feel like Hasek, when he played for Buffalo. I don't imagine that the Sticks will turn into the Redwings in the next couple of months. Keep your stick on the ice, pal.

The Army of the Twelve Monkeys- 8 wins, 0 losses, 1 overtime loss (but who to?)
I never saw this movie but I think it has quite a bit to do with mental illness, what better source to draw on for a hockey team, right? From what my sources tell me this team will be stomping its skate right down on the throat of this league. To be a freshman team in Euless doesn't always mean a struggle, many ringer squads have shown-up and knocked the rest of us in the face but this one looks to take it to a new level. The fee for using this ATM may mean losing by 3-5 goals. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, after all, as a great man once said,"There's no right, there's no wrong, there's only popular opinion."

Well, I'm pooped. Good luck to those at practice tonight. See everyone starting on the twenty sixth.

In parting here is my word of the week (the word week is used loosely)

CLOYING adj. causing or tending to cause disgust or aversion through excess, especially with food or pleasure. Daniel Grimes felt the cloying sweetness of his keg winning hangover upon waking to the cold splash of his lawn sprinkler.
bcIII