At Least It’s Not The Feldman Division
GAME OF THE WEEK
Dark Rainbows (8-5-0-2) at Rehabs (9-5-0-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Dark Rainbows lead 5-4
Game Notes: Two teams in contention for the Hackett Division crown face off for the first time this year on the final Sunday of the regular season. After leading the division for the last few months, the Dark Rainbows now find themselves in third behind the Rehabs and Happy Little Elves. However, a Dark Rainbows win and a Happy Little Elves loss or tie is all the Rainbows need to claim the division. The Rehabs, on the other hand, have the benefit of being in control of their own destiny. If they defeat the Rainbows, they win the division. In addition, if they tie and the Happy Little Elves lose or tie, they would still win the division. Of course, regardless of the exact order of finish within the Hackett Division, the Dark Rainbows, Rehabs, and Happy Little Elves should all enter the playoffs with a fairly high seed.
Keys To The Game:
1. Dark Rainbows captain Sean Reynolds has already assigned teammate John Nielsen with the task of adding an extension to the Rainbows’ trophy case. Reynolds has noted that he fully expects it to house the Hackett Division trophy as well as the Fairy Tale Cup and 2007 championship trophy following this game.
2. The Rehabs recent five-game winning streak has coincided with the addition of explosive newcomer Brock Bosacker. He has already chipped in six goals in his short time with the team, and is reminiscent of a young Adam Skuse in 2009.
3. Due to “rain fears,” the first meeting of the season between these teams was canceled. Their last meeting was in Week 20 of the 2009 season, when the Rehabs defeated the Dark Rainbows 6-3. “The All-American Canadian” Adam Skuse tallied a hat trick in that game.
Eli’s Pick: Rehabs. This result will save all of us from a deluge of potential Elves gloating.
Derek’s Pick: Rehabs. The division trophy presentation is tentatively scheduled to take place at Anita Khar’s beach house on the Connecticut shoreline.
Watchability: 4.5 Meyers. The Elves will be watching this one intently.
Continue reading ‘Week 18 Preview’
Josh Wilson Lurks In The Shadows
GAME OF THE WEEK
Fresh Kills (6-2-0-1) at Dark Rainbows (5-2-0-2)
Location: Tompkins East, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Dark Rainbows lead 6-3
Game Notes: Division leaders collide as Fresh Kills and the Dark Rainbows face off for the first time since their opening round contest in the 2009 playoffs. Fresh Kills has ascended to the top of the Donohue Division thanks to the stellar play of its youth, something the team has not possessed in the past. Rookie forward Justin Ross has overshadowed his veteran teammates with seven goals and has scored in four of his last five games. Fellow rookie, goaltender Patrick Barch leads the league in shutouts with three and has been the backbone of a defense that has allowed the fewest goals in BTSH. The Dark Rainbows, after a disappointing 0-2 start, have climbed to a share of the Hackett Division lead with no regulation losses in their last seven games. John Nielsen is tied for fifth in the league scoring race with eight goals, including a stretch of five consecutive games with at least one. With each team fighting for supremacy in its respective division, can the veteran experience of the Rainbows win out over the relative youth of Fresh Kills?
Keys To The Game:
1. Fresh Kills captain Dave Sokolyansky and his brother Mike are not twins. Despite this fact, however, they have both scored four goals this season, and they also wear matching shirts for each game.
2. The Dark Rainbows are still on a high from capturing the prestigious (yet imaginary) Fairy Tale Cup for the first time in franchise history. They hope to carry the momentum over into this game, despite a three-week layoff.
3. In their last meeting, during the 2009 playoffs, the 11th seed Fresh Kills upset the 6th seed Dark Rainbows 3-1. However, a lot has changed for Fresh Kills since then, as one of their three goal scorers, as well as their starting goalie for that game now play for the Tompkins Square Riots.
Eli’s Pick: Fresh Kills. I can’t pick against a sensitive guy like Kevin “The Planet” Foster.
Derek’s Pick: Dark Rainbows. They seem to have shaken the early season rust and are in prime position for another solid run.
Watchability: 4 Sokolyanskies. It should be noted that this rating scale is named after Mike, and not Dave.
Continue reading ‘Week 11 Preview’
Congratulations To Your 2010 Fairy Tale Cup Champions!
After several grueling weeks of competition, a new team has emerged as the 2010 Fairy Tale Cup champions: the Dark Rainbows. With their 3-2 defeat of the 2008 and 2009 cup holders, the Unicorns, last Sunday, they have clinched this prestigious (yet imaginary) trophy.
Continue reading ‘Week 10 News and Notes’
Dan Hopper Is Having The Best Week Ever
GAME OF THE WEEK
Dark Rainbows (1-2-0-1) at Sky Fighters (2-2)
Location: Tompkins West, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: Dark Rainbows lead 4-3
Game Notes: Past champions collide in this highly anticipated Hackett Division battle. The Dark Rainbows struggled to open the season, with losses to the Unicorns, What The Puck, and Gouging Anklebiters. However, they are now coming off an impressive 4-2 win against the Happy Little Elves in a Fairy Tale Cup matchup. 2009 team scoring leader John Nielsen led the way in this contest with two goals, including the game-winner. The Sky Fighters were also slow out of the gate, as they too lost to What The Puck and the Unicorns. However, they have turned things around with back to back shutouts of Mega Touch and Poutine Machine. With both teams coming off of momentum-building wins, this matchup looks a lot better than it did a week ago.
Keys To The Game:
1. Although the Dark Rainbows are tied for most goals against in BTSH, goalie John Meyer played impressively last Sunday, holding the Happy Little Elves’ potent offense to only two.
2. Sky Fighters netminder James Stein has not allowed a goal in more than 100 minutes of play. How long can he continue this hot streak?
3. Due to attendance issues last week, Sky Fighters captain Dan Hopper almost had to break out his patented “50 Minutes of Martin” strategy. However, with an extra player showing up five minutes into the game, Martin played just a scant 40 minutes instead.
Eli’s Pick: Dark Rainbows. They’ve gotten rid of all of their offseason rust.
Derek’s Pick: Sky Fighters. I’ll go with the more recent champions.
Watchability: 4 Abdos
Continue reading ‘Week 6 Preview’
Once Again, The Dark Rainbows Lead Off The Previews
Color: Pink
Year Founded: 2004
2009 Regular Season Finish: 14-6-0-1 (6th place)
2009 Playoff Result: Lost to Fresh Kills in first round
2009 Leading Scorer: John Nielsen, 20 goals
Conference: Weyersberg
Division: Hackett
Home Arena: Rainbow Palace
Key Additions: Jennie Brown (back from pregnancy), Janica Lee (free agency)
Key Losses: none
Continue reading ‘Season Preview: Dark Rainbows’
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