Cherry Cup Finals

For the third straight year the Cherry's Checkers are the Cherry Cup Champions.  They remain the only team on the Cherry Cup, hence the Cup was appropriately named.  The Cherry's Checkers have become the Montreal Canadians of the CFHL.  This year it wasn't very easy and once again the Checkers had to rely on some late game heroics and some luck.

Kopitar and Martinez squared off in the finals

Cherry's Checkers vs. The Enforcers (3-3)

The game was close through out the week.  The Checkers were in control of the goals, being in the lead all week while the Enforcers as predicted were in the lead in PIM the entire week.  Anze Kopitar "the Zombie" lead all players and earned Cherry Cup MVP honors scoring 4 goals, 1 assist and a +5.  Dion Phaneuf lead the Enforcers with 7 PIM, but that was his only contribution as he had no goals and no assists and a -1.  However Shea Weber had 6 PIM and was the Enforcers MVP tallying 2 goals, 2 assists and +2 to go along with his PIM.  

Shea Weber did what he could for the Enforcers

The Goalies is where this game would be won and lost...and for the Checkers case that didn't look good as they were really only playing with 1 goalie, Crawford, as Hiller had been benched by the Ducks.  Crawford managed only one win and got lit up on Friday for 4 goals and a bad SV%.  The Enforcers already had 3 wins between Khudobin and Bryzgalov and lead in SV%.  

Datsyuk's 2 assists looked like enough to win the Cup

On Sunday the Enforcers took a commanding lead 4-2 after getting 4 assists, 2 from Faulk and 2 from Datsyuk.  It really looked like it was over for the Checkers.  The Enforcers finally knocked off the 2 time champs.  I mean surely that is what was going to happen. The Checkers needed O'Reilly to notch 2 assists to tie the game and hope none of the other 5 Enforcers playing Sunday night wouldn't score any more assists.  You could almost hear the champagne corks popping in the Enforcers locker room...

But in the infamous words of Lee Corso; "Not so fast my friends!" Bryzgalov was having a bad day.  After 2 periods he gave up 5 goals...then one more in the Third. He completely blew up and cost the Enforcers the Cherry Cup!  The Checkers won the regular season series with the Enforcers thus any tie the Checkers win.  Completely unbelievable!  The Enforcers no longer lead in SV% and the game ended 3-3.

Bryzgalov after costing the Enforcers the Cup

Kopitar hoists up the Cherry Cup!

The interesting thing was that Bryzgalov was a waiver wire pick up just for this final series.  Had he not been picked up, the result might have been different...but then again, the Cherry Checkers seem to always find ways to win or just pure Fantasy Luck to pull off the impossible.  

The Cherry Checkers have threepeated.  They have done it with truly the same model every year.  They stick to the L.A. Kings players and other western conference players.  They dominated the regular season, although at the end they started to struggle slightly and almost didn't make it to the Finals.  Congratulations to the Cherry Checkers, this year's Cherry Cup Champions!  So now I wonder how many teams next year will be drafting L.A. Kings?

Owner of the Checkers Rick Cherry hoist
up his 3rd Cherry Cup in a Row!

CFHL Semifinals

Cherry's Checkers vs. Fluffy Bunnies (3-2)
The Bunnies put up a good fight and looked like it might stop the Checkers from returning to the Cherry Cup Finals.  However it was the Checkers that prevailed once again to make it to their 3rd straight cup. Pretty much everyone got in the act scoring goals for the Checkers as every player scored at least one goal except Seabrook.  Key to the Checker's victory was also a Sunday victory by Crawford and the Blackhawks to break the 3-3 tie to a 3-2 win.  It didn't hurt that Kunitz didn't play on Sunday either, pretty much smashing any hopes for the Bunnies to pull the upset.

Crawford was key to the Checkers victory

Chris Neil was not happy, 24 PIM in one game

Tyler Seguin continued to be the Bunnies MVP for the year and this week he scored 4 goals 2 assists a +4 and 10 PIM.  Speaking of penalty minutes, the Bunnies sent the Checkers to the finals bloodied and beat up.  The Bunnies ended up with 76 PIM!  Chris Neil had 26, Seguin 10, Pietrangelo 10, and Gudas with 12.  The 76 PIM was a CFHL record.


This makes the third straight trip for the Checkers to the Cherry Cup Finals and seeking to still be the only name on the Cherry Cup

The Enforcers vs. Alex's Assassins (3-3)
The Assassins did almost everything they needed to beat the Enforcers, everything but beat them in the regular season.  It really came down to Fleury in net for the Animals and was having a pretty good game on Sunday as the SV% for the Assassins started to creep higher and higher closing in on the Enforcers.  With a shutout through 2 periods it looked like the Assassins might pull off the win and have the first ever father vs. son Final.  But Colorado ended up scoring 2 goals in the third to halt the Assassins SV% at .931 a .003 short.

Fleury gave up one too many goals

Landeskog continued to be hot, scoring 2 goals, an assist and 12 PIM.  In net Khudobin came through big for the Enforcers, who's weakest position was probably goalie, getting 2 wins and a .954 SV%.

Landeskog signs for a fan celebrating first trip to Cup

This is the first trip for the Enforcers to the Cherry Cup Finals.

2014 Cherry Cup Finals
Cherry's Checkers vs. The Enforcers

Well here we go.  The third Cherry Cup final and yet again the Cherry's Checkers are in the final looking to etch their name for the third straight time.  They will do it with a similar team as they had last year, the L.A. Checkers, or I mean the Kings...Kopitar the Zombie, Jeff Carter, Voynov all were on last years team and know what it takes to win a cup.

At Center:  Checkers come with a Zombie and a Stinky Stamkos while the Enforcers have Getzlaf and Fisher.  Kopitar has 25 goals and 40 assists and is a decent threat.  Stamkos can be a huge difference maker but in his last 3 games he has 1 goal, 0 assists,  and a -6.  Getzlaf is a stud and expect multiple goals and assists from him.  Edge: Checkers.

Zombie Kopitar sporting playoff beard

At the Wings:  More western power houses in Carter and Pavelski who have combined for 66 goals.  Brad "Little Ball of Hate" Marchand brings his +33 to the finals.  O'Rielly for the Checkers vs. Landeskog of the Enforcers will be an interesting matchup (both Avs.).  The Enforcers have Datsyuk back from an injury but may not be 100%.  Zach Parise is probably their best wing.  Edge: Checkers

Pavelski been key to the Checker offense

Blue Line:  Checkers blue liners are Doughty and Voynov from the Kings along with Kronwall and Seabrook. This group may help in the Assist category, but this group is not known to tally a ton of goals or PIM.  The Enforcers have big Shea Weber with his 100 mph shot and 21 goals.  Phaneuf will also be in the line up and will smack around some Checkers with pleasure.  Edge: Enforcers

Thanks Phaneuf for one more shot!

Between the Pipes:  Well as important as Goalies seem to be in this league, these two teams have made it here with some struggles in net.  Enforcers will go with Khudobin, who played great last week, and Bryzgalov has been playing well too.  Crawford may be the Checkers only hope as Hiller has become a basket case and players are being brought up from the AHL to replace Hiller.  Edge: Enforcers

Khudobin will face lots of pressure in the Cherry Cup

Outlook:  Can the Checkers become the Montreal Canadians of the CFHL?  Goals I see going to the Checkers.  Assists could go either way, but Enforcers edge them.  +/- might be close too, but he League leading Checkers in +/- will take that category once again.  This would leave the game 2-1 Checkers.

PIM will be won easily by The Enforcers who bring some heavy hitter and Checkers were not known to be goons.  With the edge in Goalies it would appear that Enforcers will win Goalie Wins. SV% could be close if Crawford plays well.

It would appear that it is getting harder and harder for the Checkers to continue their Championship Dynasty. This could be the year that a new name goes on the Cup.  However...there is that Checker Luck.  The Checkers will need a large lead going into Sunday as the Enforcers have a lot of skaters playing on Sunday, including their two goalies.  All things point to the Enforcers to end the Checkers reign...but something tells me the Checkers pull it out once again.

Checker Mascot ready to celebrate 3rd Cup in row!

Playoffs Round 1

Enforcers vs. USSR (4-2)
The Soviets run ended in the first round after they fought back into the playoffs, but just couldn't match the offense of the Enforcers.  The USSR, as predicted managed to win the goalie categories over the enforcers with only 2 goalie wins and a .940 SV%.  This wasn't hard considering the Enforcers goalies were Mike Smith and Kuemper from Minnesota.  Where the Enforcers won this game was on offense with the skaters beating the USSR by 5 in both goals and assists and 6 PIM.  Gabriel Landeskog was the Number One Star of the game.  He had 3 goals, 2 assists, +3 and 2 PIM.  But he wasn't the only one to tally 3 goals.  Zach Parise and Shea Weber both had 3 goals.  Iginla played a feisty game leading all players with 7 PIM including a fight.  The Soviets just couldn't keep up with the Enforcers skaters as they had only one player to score 2 goals and only one with more than 1 assists.  Enforcers move on to face the 2nd seed Assassins.

Landeskog earned Number One Star honors

Fluffy Bunnies vs. SLVB (4-2)
The difference in this game again was the goalies.  But it wasn't like the Killer Smurfs laid down in net with Ben Bishop's 2 wins and .915 SV%, however the Bunnies, fielding two of the NHL's best goalies didn't disappoint.  Carey Price had 3 wins while Rask had 2 including a shut out.  They combined for an impressive .953 SV%.  This pair could lead the Bunnies right to the Cup.  The Bunnies finished up SLVB by beating them in assists by 5 and PIM by 10 minutes lead by Joe Thorton and 6 minutes by Gudas.  The Killer smurfs wasted some great performances in the loss.  T.J. Oshie had 4 goals, 2 assists, and a +4, while Alex Steen had 3 goals, 3 assists and a +6.  The Bunnies make it to the semifinals and face a tough task ahead; the Number one seed Checkers

Rask leads the lead in shutouts

Playoffs Round 2 Semifinal Preview:

Cherry's Checkers vs. Fluffy Bunnies
This game should be a good one and will come down to who can get that extra category as I see the Bunnies winning both goalie categories with Rask and Price vs. Hiller and Crawford.  The Checkers will need to do a lot of scoring and they have the players to do so. Kopitar the Zombie and Stamkos anchor the center.  It will really comes down to the Kings as along with Kopitar, the Checkers have Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov, all will need to all come through to help the Checkers quest for a 3rd Cup.  The Bunnies have some fire power of their own, in Seguin, Flippula, and Kunitz who all have been hot lately.

Stamkos will need to be on his game for the Checkers

Outlook:  The Kings play 4 times this week.  This could be good for the Checkers.  Bunnies will get 2 wins with their net minders.  That might be enough as the Checker reign comes to an end.  No last game heroics this time.  Bunnies upset the Checkers.  (Now there is always that thing called Checkers Luck that might prevail and somehow they get the win...).

Fluffy Bunnies Ice Girls

The Enforcers vs. Alex's Assassins
It will be Getzlaf for the Enforcers vs. Corey Perry for the Assassins.  Both play on the same line so should be exciting when the Ducks go down ice for a score.  For the Assassins, David Backes is solid at center and has been playing well lately.  Hossa is strong on the wing and "Side Show Bob" Hartnell is always good for some PIM.  Oh and the Assassins also have on the ice one of the biggest Delta Bravos to put on a pair of skates, P.K. Subban.  Might have to give the Assassins the edge in PIM.  Enforcers have some injury concerns with Toews who is listed at day-to-day.  But key to their win will be if Iginla continues his hot streak, he has 30 goals on the season.  The Enforcers also have an impressive blue line with Boumeester (32 assists), Shea Weber (21 goals, 29 assists), Alec Martinez (10 goals), and Jake Gardiner (10 goals).

Getzlaf and Perry square off in the playoffs

Outlook:  With Varlamov and Fluery will be solid in net for the Assassins giving them the goalie wins.  PIM might be where this game is won and the advantage is to the Assassins.  If they can manage to win the +/-, because I see the Enforcers likely winning the goals and assists, the Assassins should get the win.

 

Final Week and Playoff Preview

The playoffs are upon us and the third season is behind us.  Here is a recap of last week's action and a look at the upcoming playoffs

USSR vs. Goon Crew (3-2-1)
In the biggest game of the week, the USSR needed some wins to capture the last playoff spot.  The Crew were just playing for pride.  The Crew controlled most of the game until the final day, starting out with 15 PIM from Blake Wheeler.  The Soviets got their top performance from an unlikely place, at the blue line with Mark Giordano who had 1 goal, 3 assists and a +3.  The other unlikely hero of this game was goalie Chad Johnson, who usually is only a back up, racked up 2 wins and a .964 SV%.  The win propelled the USSR into the playoffs in the final spot.

Johnson coming up big

Nyquist earned MVP of the week honors

Around the league...Assassins tuned it up for the playoffs tying the Krampus Carols 3-3.  Assassins had two players score 3 goals each, Hartnell and Backes, while Matt Moulson "ice"  tallied 3 goasl, 3 assists for Krampus.  Goalies forgot to play in this game...Bunnies finally get back on the winning track beating the AshBusters 3-2 behind Flippula's 3 goals, 2 assists and 2 PIM.  AshBusters finished the season strong in net getting 6 wins between Lundqvist and Howard....The Enforcers knocked out the Mayhem from the playoffs.   Iginla for the Enforcers had 5 goals on the week while Getzlaf had 5 assists....Checkers were on auto pilot tying Who Gives a Puck 3-3.  The scariest part of this game?  As if the Checker's weren't good enough, Stamkos is back and scored 5 goals 2 assists, +2 and 2 PIM against Who Gives a Puck. Nyquist however out did him, scoring 6 goals, 1 assist, a +5 for the Puck.  SLVB ends Heisenberg's Ice season 4-2 sending Sid "The Kid" Crosby home for the playoffs.  Bishop for SLVB was the only Goalie to post stats in this game.  Whats up with that?

Round One Playoffs:

The Enforcers (3) vs. USSR (6)

Iginla has been on fire

The Enforcers are entering the playoffs hot.  Iginla has ben red hot scoring 8 goals in the last 2 weeks.  After being shut out by the Checkers 6-0 the Enforcers enter the playoffs on a 3 week winning streak.  They are a dangerous team with Getzlaf, Toews, and of course Iginla.  To counter the Enforcers, the USSR will need to have Ovechkin live up to his reputation considering The Enforcers lead the league in goals scored.  In goal the edge might go to the USSR who will be putting in net Louongo, now with Florida, and back up Chad Johnson, in hopes the Bruins will continue to rest Rask from time to time.  The Enforcers on the other hand will rely on the goalie glove of Mike Smith.  The other goalie for Enforcers is a rookie Darcy Kuemper who has had 1 win in his last 6 starts.
Outlook:  Despite the questions in goal for the Enforcers, its hard to go against them as they are on a roll and lots of fire power.  Even if Ovechkin tries to put the Soviets on his shoulders the same result will likely happen as did the Olympics; early exit.

Fluffy Bunnies (4) vs. SLVB (5)
This should be a good one.  Inter-office rivalry.  Both teams have some strong skaters.  Seguin and Kunitz are top scorers for the Bunnies and you can't forget about Flippula and MacKinnon with the big Center Joe Thornton.  SLVB are hoping Steen and company can match the Bunnies offensive power.  T.J. Oshie adds a good offensive threat while Milan Lucic brings some nastiness to the game with 78 PIM.  Radko Gudas might have to say something about that for the Bunnies as he has 138 PIM on the season!  Would like to see these two heavy weights go at it!  In net, the Bunnies have Rask and Price, rivals in the NHL, teammates in the CFHL.  They are potentially the best goalie duo in the league.  Bishop is solid for the Killer Smurfs and has carried the goalie stats as Bernier has been struggling.

Gudas getting a noogie from Iginla

Outlook: This one will be close.  Can the Bunnies get their offense scoring again and if they do will the SLVB be able to keep up?  If most of the skater stats end up being close or tied, the edge would go to the Bunnies with Rask and Price.

Bunny fans ready for the playoffs

Tax Increase on Cigars in Ohio Not Right

It came to my attention the other day while listening to The General Cigar Dave, that here in Ohio, Governor Kasich has proposed, as part of his budget bill, an increase to the tobacco tax.  The plan for this increase, among other tax increases, is part of an effort to help fund a state income tax cut.  This increase in tax on tobacco is not only focused on cigarettes, but other tobacco products, including cigars, pipe tobacco, and even e-cigarettes.  (E-cigarettes too?  Really?)

Tobacco is the easiest tax to increase, with only 23% of Ohioans as smokers, leaving a hefty 77% of non-smokers who would likely favor this tax increase since it doesn't affect them at all.  But lets take a deeper look at the real reasons for these tax increases.

This is truly an effort for the Ohio government, with pressure from anti-smoking organizations, to try to dictate how people should live their lives and live healthier.  Hey, no one disagrees that smoke free is healthier than not.  No one says that smoking is good for you.  However, everything in moderation is just fine and is the given right and freedoms we have here in the USA.  And this is why cigars should not be included in with cigarettes, that contain addictive qualities, while cigars are enjoyed in moderation and are not addictive, nor do most people have to chain smoke them one after another like cigarettes, but I digress.

"Tobacco tax increases are a highly effective means of reducing smoking and other tobacco use, but the increase must be large enough to have the desired public health impact."  This was a statement made by the American Lung Association in a joint statement with the American Cancer Society.

In another interesting comment, and this is the one that really shocked me, made by Ohio Tax Commissioner Joe Testa, Joe Testa said, "These tobacco taxes will absolutely help people decide to quite or not start a tobacco habit."  Really?  What kind of country are we living in where the government starts calling the shots, or passes ridiculous bills to force people to live the life THEY want us to live.

Government dictating how we live.  How we should live.  Deciding whats best for us.  Hmm.  Sounds a bit like Communism, wouldn't you say?

The exorbitant increase in tobacco tax would be an increase from 17% to 49% on wholesale prices.  While I am not a cigarette smoker, I certainly enjoy a fine hand rolled premium cigar from time to time.  And this proposed tax increase in Ohio it would increase the retail price of an $8 cigar to nearly $12 per stick.  That is just simply unacceptable.

Now some people might say, "Well I don't smoke at all," said 77% of Ohioans.  "This is good if it helps reduce the number of people that smoke, because smoking kills."  Okay, well whats to stop the Government to come after the next thing that is not "good" for you?  Why not increase tax on sugar, candy, soda pop, butter, crisco oil, red meat... I guarantee that there is something that everyone of us enjoys that would be deemed unhealthy in some fashion.  Remember Mayor "Bloom"berg of New York City that wanted to pan 40oz sodas?

I am, or at least I used to be, a fan of Governor Kasich.  I liked his no-nonsense attitude.  I liked his support for the disabled, the veterans, the elderly, the mental health, and developmental disabilities.  But this stance on increase tax on tobacco to help the "health of Ohioans" is too much government control and begins a slippery slope.

So as I conclude this, while smoking a fine cigar and sipping on a wonderful scotch, consider what this tax really means and the direction we are heading.  Speak out and be heard.  Don't let our freedoms continue to be diminished.

Week 18

3 wins this week for Niemi

Quick recap on Week 18 and an update on how the final week is shaping up and who will make it to the playoffs....

Goon Crew 4 Who Gives a Puck 1 - Goon Crew pick up a nice win but too little too late.  They dominated the goalie category tallying 5 wins and a .943 SV% with Mason and Niemi while Puck's goalie woes that started the season seem to be rearing their ugly head as they had no wins at all.

Krampus Carols 3 Heisenberg's Ice 3 - In another meaningless game as both teams are out of playoff contention, Carols and Ice tie it up.  If it wasn't for the huge difference in goalies, the Krampus might have not fared as well as they only tallied 2 goals and 9 assists.  Sidney Crosby had 2 goals and 2 assists to lead the Meth Dealers.

AshBusters 3 SLVB 3 - The Killer Smurfs struggled against the last place AshBusters as they continued to hold onto the 5th spot.  It was an Assist Fest as the two teams combined for 41 assists with the AshBusters coming out on top 24-17.  Giroux had 5 and Karlsson had 4 for the AshBusters while Okposo lead the Smurfs with 6!

Giroux' Girlfriend...oh these hockey players...

Mayhem On Ice 2 Checkers 1 - Checker were playing for nothing while the Mayhem are fighting for the final playoff spot.  And the showed.  The Mayhem took it to the Checkers punching them right in the neck with 40 PIM! Two guys for the Mayhem were in double digit PIM; Jamie Benn with 14 and Erik Johnson with 10.

Assassins 4 USSR 2 - The Soviets continue to fight to try to catch the Mayhem, and even with a only 2 win week for the Mayhem, USSR couldn't take advantage of it getting only 2 wins of their own and still remain 2 points behind.  The Assassins are pretty much locked into the 2nd playoff spot. Ovechkin took a shit this week with only 1 goal and a -6.

Ovechkin had a bad hair week too I guess

Enforcers 4 Fluffy Bunnies 2 - Enforcers move to the 3rd playoff spot with the victory over the somewhat mild Bunnies.  However the game wasn't mild with a combined 53 PIM.  Dion Phaneuf lead all players with 20 PIM for the Enforcers, and we all love it when Phaneuf makes the news letter, don't we??

Dion we love when you play well! Hi Elisha!

Playoff Picture...Checkers game really doesn't matter as they have #1 spot locked up and with Stamkos back it might be a third time in a row with the Cup...Assassins have a 5 point lead over the Enforcers for the #2 spot and are in the lead over Krampus Carols 4-2.  Only 2 goals and a +1 separate them from the Krampus so still up in the air...Enforcers are doing all they can to capture the second spot, and the bye, as they are up 5-1 (was 6-0 earlier).  With big leads in goals, +/- and SV% Enforcers are gunning for the Assassins...The Bunnies are not exactally entering the playoffs at their peak as they are down 3-1 to the last place AshBusters and facing their 4 straight losing week...SLVB is content with the 5th spot but as the Bunnies falter they will likely move up to the 4th spot...

Fluffy Bunnies may have the best fans in the league

Biggest race is for the 6th and final spot as the USSR are outside looking in on the Mayhem as the Mayhem lead by 2 points.  Mayhem are getting it handed to them by the Enforcers right now 5-1, that's not good.  The USSR are tied with the Goon Crew 3-3, that's good! If scores hold the USSR sneak into the final spot.  With lots of games left for both the Crew Goalies and the USSR its still in question and will come down to the end of the week, but looking good for the Soviets thus far (Putin needs some good news these days)

CFHL Week 17

SLVB owner apparently was
distracted late in the game.

Only 2 weeks left in the regular season left.  There are only 7 teams still alive as 5 of the 12 are eliminated and one has already clinched the number one seed.

Checkers vs. SLVB (3-2-1)
The Checkers are just waiting for the playoffs to begin. They have wrapped up everything they can in the regular season.  But that didn't stop them from making a comeback on Sunday to beat the Killer Smurfs who were leading going into Sunday Evening.  But in typical Checker fashion their late night Kings came through.  This time it was Jeff Carter who not only tallied 2 goals but 10 PIM to give the Checkers the victory in PIM which was the difference in the game.

Ball sack had 2...goals that is.

Assassins vs Heisenberg's Ice (4-1-1)
The Assassins continue their strong play and would be leading any other division but they happen to be playing in the Norris with the Checkers.  They had 3 guys tally 2 goals a piece!  Bozak "Ball Sack", Corey "Dog" Perry, and "Stig" Maatta.  Fleury and Varlamov were both strong in net combining for 3 wins and a .938 SV%.  If they hang on to their current spot in the standings they could get a bye in the first week of the playoffs along with the Checkers, both from the Norris Division.

Who Gives a Puck fan!

Who Gives a Puck vs. Fluffy Bunnies (5-1)
In the upset of the week, Who Gives a Puck took it to the Bunnies winning all but goal categories.  In an otherwise disappointing season for the Puck this one might have made their season, knocking off one of the top teams in the league.  "Hard to take this loss," said Bunny owner Fluffy Tyler,"when you have the best player of the week!"  He was referring to Tyler Seguin who had 4 goals and 5 assists and a +2 (how do you have 9 points and only a +2?).  Puck goalie Quick singlehandedly won the goalie stats with 3 wins and a .937 SV%.

Enforcers vs. Krampus Carols (4-2)
This was a tale of two weeks.  Last week the Enforcers got shut out by the Checkers and the Krampus beat the Goon Crew 5-1.  This week it was Enforcers turn.  They were lead by Toews 4 goals and Weber's 12 PIM.  Hard not to mention Krampus Carol's goal tending.  They had 5 wins between Ryan Miller (who now with the Blues should get plenty of wins), and Old Man Brodeur.

USSR vs AshBusters (5-1)

Holtby struggling (can't say I mind that)  

USSR has been playing playoff hockey for the past few weeks and this week played hard enough to take a 1 point lead for the final spot over the Mayhem.  Its not like they had a tough match up with the AshBusters the worst team in the league.  If the USSR are going to continue their quest they will need to get a little more goal production (no one scored more than 1 goal) and get better goalie play.  That might be tough.  Luongo is now playing for the Panthers (not exactly a power house) and Holtby might lose his job to Halek.

Bergeron and wife Stephanie
Very Sharp!

Goon Crew vs. Mayhem on Ice (2-2-2)
In a game where the Mayhem needed a win to keep in front of USSR, the Goon Crew managed to tie up the game late in the week on Sunday.  The game was 4-1-1 for the Mayhem going into Sunday.  Bergeron  tallied a goal to tie goals and had a +2 to go along with McDonagh's +2.  This ended up being a +5 swing in favor of the Crew to give them the +/- category and tying the game at 2s.

Player of the Week: Tyler Seguin, Fluffy Bunnies - 4 goals, 5 assists +2

Goalie of the Week: Jonathan Quick, Who Gives a Puck, 3 wins, .937%