CFHL Week 2

 Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day!  NHL and CFHL taking a 3 day break for the Holidays, but we resume action tomorrow!  

Here is a quick recap of the Week 2 action:

Goon Crew vs. Slapshots 3-2-1 - It was a close one but the Crew were able to edge the Slapshots behind three big wins from goalie Scott Wedgwood, who was put in for injured goalie Oettinger.  Slapshot blue liner Dahlin had a great week with 3 goals and 2 PPP.

Wedgewood playing well in relief 

Checkers vs. Assassins 4-2 - The Checkers get things right in Week 2 downing the Assassins 4-2.  Known for their hits, the Checkers racked up 39 hits including 16 from Jeremy Lauzon.  

Checkers mascot Chubby!

Space Monkey Mafia vs. Raisins 5-1 - This is a week to week league.  After a great start defeating the Slapshots 5-0-1 last week, the Raisins fall to the Mafia 5-1 this week.  The Mafia were led by Nathan MacKinnon (4-3-4-2) and Zibanejad (4-3-2-0).

Mackinnon had huge week for Mafia

Krampus Carols vs. Greek Empire  3-2-1 - Tis the Season for the Krampus.  They always start out strong in December as they grab their opponents, stuff them in a sack in beat them with a stick.  This week they stuffed the Greek Empire into their sack thanks to a Kirill Kaprizov's week of 4 goals 3 assists and 2 PPP.

Krampus fans scare me...

White Mamba vs. Who Gives a Puck 4-2 - As I said before, this is a week to week league.  Last week Puck scored a 5-1 win and Mamba a 1-5 loss.  This week was the opposite for both teams.  Mambas got great net play from goalie Ilya Sorokin who posted 2 wins and a .930 SV %.

Sorokin solid in net for Mamba

Three Stars of the Week:

Number 3 Star:  Mika Zibanejad, F, Space Monkey - 4 goals, 3 assists, 2 PPP

Number 2 Star:  Kirill Kaprizov, F, Krampus - 4 goals, 3 assists, 2 PPP, 2 hits

Number 1 Star: Nathon MacKinnnon, C, Space Monkey - 4 goals, 3 assists, 4 PPP, 2 hits

Goon of the Week:  Jeremy Lauzon, D, Checkers - 16 hits

Mackinnon's gal Charlotte Walker

CFFL Playoffs Round 1 & Round 2 Look ahead

 

Will the dominance of the Cherry's continue?  Two have advanced to the semifinals with a chance at playing each other in the Fantasy Bowl.  But in their way are two hungry teams from the Eastern Bloc.  How did they get there.  Read on..

Playoffs Round 1

Animals 50  Dragons 38 - The Dragons threw everything they had at the Animals, but the Animals appear to be a team of destiny.  Dragons got big games out of Russell who had 10 points. Mostert and Deebo "Dabo Sweeny" Samuel both tallied 12 points!  But it just wasn't enough.  It took a minute for the Animals to get rolling, but once they did during the late window, it was scoring smorgasbord.  Kyren Williams scored. CeeDee Lamb scored and then QB Brock Purdy lit it up with 16 points!  Game over.

Purdy put up 16 points for the Animals!

Cocktails 37  Warbirds 29 - The Warbirds were playing an up hill battle to start after the Cocktails got 12 points from their Raider Defense on Thursday night.  By the time that Jalen Hurts took the field, the lead was too great for even him, and when Kenneth Walker scored Monday Night, it was the nail in the coffin.  

Two scores from the Cocktails' Silver and Black!

Sinistars 35  Juggernauts 31 - The Sinistars had to hang on tight to survive this one.  They had a comfortable lead to begin, getting 12 points from Gibbs on Saturday and then 13 from kicker Fairbairn.  But the Juggs had McCaffrey and kicker "Big" Jake Moody.  McCaffrey scored 3 times and Moody had 9 points!  The game was only 35-31 and the Juggs had Metcalf yet on Monday night.  The owner of the Sinistars had to be on pins and needles the entire game Monday night, but thankfully for him, Metcalf was held scoreless.  

Gibbs rambles for two TDs

Chislers 33  Legion 25 - Chislers cruised to a fairly easy victory.  They jumped to a 20-0 lead after getting 12 points from Addison "Not Mattison" and 8 from Browning.  The Legion would connect on a 10 point connection when Love hit Reed for a 17 yard TD.  However, Chislers would get insurance from newly acquired off waivers Demarcus Robinson,  The Ram WR found the end zone.  Chislers' Midas Touch continues...

Addison "Not Mattison" scores twice for the Chislers

Playoff Preview Round 2:

Cocktails at Animals (-1) - Its really hard to slow the Animals down.  He can go either Purdy or Prescott.  Mixon and Williams consistently score.  Plus they have a plethora of WRs.  CeeDee Lamb and Davnate Adams to name a few.  These Molotov Cocktails hope they have some animal tranquillizers in those bottles.  They need a better performance from Tua than 4 points.  Don't sleep on their WRs either with Aiyuk and A.J. Brown.  

Take the Animals on the Money Line. Cocktails won't be getting 12 points from their defense this week. Animals 38-27

Chislers at Sinistars (-4) - The key to the Sinistar victory will be if he can make the right moves with his line up.  The  Sinistars have a ton of talent, but can't start everyone.  Josh Allen is leading the league in scoring once again.  Gibbs and/or Montgomery will get you points every week.  Chislers are always dangerous when they get into the playoffs.  They have 12 trips to the Fantasy Bowl and 7 titles.  

You got to go with the Chislers and the points don't you?  Too much history to bet against. Chislers 33-30

Last week went 3-1 ATS.

CFHL Week 1

We drop the puck on the 13th CFHL season this week.  At the draft Who Gives a Puck hoisted the Cherry Cup in celebration of last years championship run.  

Week 1 action on the ice...

Krampus vs. Goon Crew 4-1-1

Brady Tkachuk bruised the Goon Crew with 20 hits, which led all starting skaters for the week.  Jack Hughes was able to net 4 goals for the Goon Crew but the story was Krampus Goaltender Darcy Kuemper.  He managed to come away with a shoot out win on Sunday to flip the game from a tie to a 4-1-1 win!

Kuemper makes huge save for the Krampus

Raisins vs. Slapshots 5-0-1

The California Raisins got a huge week from forward Brock "Lesner" Boeser who scored 5 goals!  Defenseman Noah "Ark" Dobson had 8 assists earning 3 Star honors for the Raisins.  It was an easy victory over the Slapshot, whose owner didn't log in until after puck drop...

Don't think he is as big as Lesner

Greek Empire vs. White Mambas 5-1

In another lopsided victory, the Empire got a huge week out of their net minders.  Connor Hellebuyck and Husso combined for 3 wins and a SV% of .938.

Hellebuyck was Hell-a-good for the Empire

Space Monkey Mafia vs. Assassins 3-2-1

The Space Monkeys were led by Nathan MacKinnon and Mitch "Moss" Marner on the ice.  "MacDaddy" MacKinnon had a 3-7-5-5 week  and Marner went 4-5-2.  The Assassins goaltenders kept the game close at least.  Thatcher Demko had 3 wins and a SV% of .957 and Swayman "Nightman" posted a .942 SV%

MacKinnon the Space Monkey

Who Gives a Puck vs. Checkers 5-1

And in the game of the week on ESPN, we had the two most crowned franchises in CFHL history, combining for 8 cups (Checkers with 5 and Puck with 3).  Well the history was more interesting than the game as the Puck had little trouble with the checkers behind Auston Matthews 5 goals and 3 assists along with Rantanen's 3-5-4-5 week.

Mikko Rantanen helped Puck to a win!

Three Stars of the Week:

Number 3 Star:  Noah Dobson, D, Raisins - 8 assists, 1 PPP and 2 hits

Number 2 Star:  Filip Gustavsson, G, Space Monkey - 2 wins, .959 SV%

Number 1 Star:  Auston Matthews, C, Puck - 5 goals, 3 assists and 2 PPP

Goon of the Week:  Brady Tkachuk, F, Krampus - 20 hits

Auston Matthews' girlfriend 
Emily Ruttledge

CFFL Week 14 & Playoff Preview

Eight teams play on.  Eight teams sit at home and wait until August...brutal.  The controversial Week 14 is in the books with illegal rosters and questionable line up decisions.  

Week 14 action:

In the North...It didn't look like any team in the North wanted to play.  With the playoffs on the the line the Crew only managed 6 points and lost to a Ferret team that had given up.  15 points from Ferret kicker Aubrey did in the Crew...With the North division on the line, the Chislers scored only 6 and it was from their defense!   Animals win 20-6 and claim the North.

Kid couldn't miss for the Ferrets

In the South...The Warbirds defeated the Killer Bees 30-28 on a last minute pick six by their defensive lineman from the  Dolphins!  The Dragons, needing to win to get in, did just that, defeating the Titans 39-11.  They got 12 points from both Mostert and Deebo "Dabo Sweeny" Samuel.

Warbirds' defense get the pick six for the win!

In the East...The Sinistars were able to hold on to defeat the Cocktails 22-17.  The Cocktails had Tua, AJ Dillon, and Derrick "King" Henry going Monday night, but couldn't get enough production to pull off the win.  In fact only Henry would score for the Cocktails...The Krauts get a last minute TD from Hopkins to defeat the Juggernauts 41-38!  Juggs still clinch the division with the sweep of the Sinistars during the regular season.

Hopkins catches the game winner for the Krauts!

In the West...Cam's Killers were able to send the Crush home with their 12 loss on the season 31-12. All 31 points came from Killers' Buccaneer players...The Legion got a late 10 point connection on Monday, but wasn't enough to sustain the 12 points the Whales got from Barkley on Monday night.  Whales fall jut short of making the playoffs and defending their title.  They lose the points tie breaker to the Dragons 401-355.

Barkley soars into end zone for Whales

Player of the Week:  Baker Mayfield, QB, Killers - 14 points

Congratulations to our Division Winners:

North:  Alex's Animals 12-2:  They win the North by 2 games and are the odds on favorite to win the Fantasy Bowl.  This is only the Animals' 2nd division title and their 10th trip to the post season.

South:  Weiland's Warbirds 10-4:  Pretty much ran away with the south winning it by 3 games.  After starting 9-19 since entering the league, this is their first trip to the playoffs.

East:  Jakes' Juggernauts 9-5:  They tied the Sinistars for the division, but won the head to head battle sweeping them.  This is the Juggs' 5th division title and their second in a row.  

West:  Iron Legion 8-6:  The Legion enter the post season on a three game skid.  This is their first division title as well as their first playoff appearance.  

Playoff Round One Match ups:

(8) Dragons at (1) Animals -6 - Animals are rolling.  They have won 12 in a row and are loaded at every position.  Dragons stumbled in the second half of the season, but managed to pull it together in the final week to make playoffs.  Could be dangerous with Lamar Jackson and Mostert.  

Take the Animals and lay the points.  Too much for the Dragons.  Animals 42-23

(7) Cocktails at (2) Warbirds -10 - Warbirds tend to rely on Jalen Hurts, but have formidable RBs in Achane and Etienne.  The Cocktails are hungry for a championship.  Not sure this is the team though.

Take the points with the Cocktails.  Will be close with Warbirds winning a close one.  Warbirds 27-25

(6) Sinistars at (3) Juggernauts -1 - The third act for these two East division rivals.  In the Week 7-8 home and home series, the Juggernauts won both games, 45-29 and 43-35.  Will they get their third in a row?  They say it's hard to defeat a team three times in one season in the CFFL...

Grab Juggeranuts on the ML.  Kamara, McCaffrey and Metcalf are hard to beat.

(5) Chislers at (4) Legion -10 - Legion limping into the playoffs, losing their last 3.  I can't imagine the Chislers will only score 6 points again.  Legion are a very dangerous team focused on Packers and Cowboys.  Looks like it will be Love all the way now with Herbert out of the year with a broken finger.

10 points is way too much.  Take the Chislers and the points.  Keep an eye out for an outright upset win too.  Chislers 38-36

Vegas odds board to win Fantasy Bowl:

Animals +250

Juggernauts +350

Legion +450

Chislers +450

Warbirds +600

Cocktails +750

 Dragons 12/1

Happy Holidays!

CFFL Week 13

 We have made it to the final week.  11 teams are still in it.  7 have clinched.  So yes, 4 teams will battle this week for the final playoff spot.  Two teams have clinched their division, the Iron Legion and the Warbirds.  Two other divisions up for grabs.  But let's first see what happen in Week 13...

Animals 44  Wrecking Crew 22 - Animals are quickly becoming the odds on favorite to win it all.  They have firepower everywhere.  This week they got 26 points from their QB Prescott and Kicker  GAY!  Plus he has strong backups that included Davante Adams, Joe Mixon (who had 12 points) and Gus Edwards (who was on bye).  

Prescott scored 13 points for the Animals

Chislers 44 Ferrets 31 - Chislers won in dramatic fashion late in the game to just about eliminate the Ferrets from the playoffs.  The Ferrets had a 31 -22 lead going into Sunday night.  Chislers would get 6 points from Isiah "Peak at my Butthole" Pacheco to make the score 31-28.  On Monday night the Chislers had Jake Browning and Ja'Marr Chase going.  Browning would hit Chase on a 76 yard TD pass for a 10 point connection and the victory!  Ferrets believe it or not are still not eliminated.

Chase scores the game winner for the Chislers

Dragons 42  Killer Bees 29 - The Dragons kept their playoff hopes alive beating the hated Bees.  They got 18 huge points from Deebo "Dabo Sweeny" Samuel. Russell Wilson did pretty good pinch hitting for Lamar Jackson during his bye, scoring 10 points for the Dragons.

Wilson came in for Dragons and scored 10 points

Warbirds 45  Titans 7 - Warbirds are tuning up for the playoffs as they easily defeated the Titans 45-7.  Titans were in trouble at the QB position with "Danny" DeVito on bye and Mac Jones being benched.  Warbirds got 10 points from Hurts and 12 big points from Achane who is back much to the Warbirds delight.  

Achane is back scoring TDs for the Warbirds

Cocktails 45  Juggernauts 39 - Cocktails punched their ticket to the playoffs and still have chance at winning the East.  Derrick Henry scored 2 more times and has scored two TDs for two weeks in a row.  He left the game with a possible concussion but early reports are he is not in concussion protocol.  DK Metcalf for the Juggs had 18 points in the defeat.

Henry scoring one of his two TDs for the Cocktails

Sinistars 39  Krauts 15 - Sinistars clinch a spot in the playoffs and are still fighting to win the East.  Trevor Lawrence had 14 points in the win, but left game with a bad high ankle sprain.  Good thing they traded for Josh Allen, who was on bye last week.  

Lawrence scored 14 points before getting hurt

Crush 33  Legion 31 - The Crush got only their second win of the year upsetting the Legion behind 12 points from James Conner.  The Legion were let down by two of their top players, Herbert and Keenan Allen.  They were shut out in the loss.

Conner celebrating one of his TDs for the Crush

Killers 31  Whales 18 - Killers pulled off an upset of their own defeating the Whales 31-18.  They got 12 points from the Cheetah Tyreek Hill.  Hill hauled in two long passes of 78 and 60 yards!  A Whales win and they would have been in the driver seat for the final playoff spot.  But now its a dog fight.

Hill ready to ride the roller coaster after his first TD

Player of the Week:  Deebo "Dabo Sweeny" Samuel, WR, Dragons - 18 points

Playoff Picture

Division Leaders                      Wild Card                              Lurking

1. x-Animals 11-2                    5. x-Chislers 10-3                  Whales 6-7 (321)

2. x-Juggernauts 9-4 (426)      6. x-Cocktails 8-5 (391)         Crew 6-7 (321)

3. y-Warbirds 9-4 (423)           7. x-Sinistars 8-5 (373)          Ferrets 5-8 (403)

4. y-Legion 8-5                        8. Dragons 6-7 (362)

Animals travel to the Chislers.  Winner is King in the North since Chislers beat the Animals 22-9 in Week 1.

If Juggernauts defeat the Krauts they are East Champs.  If they lose and Cocktails beat the Sinistars, Cocktails win the East based on sweeping the Juggs in the regular season.  If Juggs lose and Sinistars win, Juggs still win the East based on sweeping the Sinistars.

Four teams fighting for the final wild card spot.  If Dragons beat Titans, they are in.  If they lose and Whales beat the Legion, the Whales get the final spot.  If Dragons and Whales lose and the Crew win, Crew are in. If Dragons, Whales and Crew lose, and the Ferrets win, the Ferrets make the playoffs based on total points at 6-8!