Josh Isn’t So Sure About This “Butchers’ Bandwagon”

#18 Butchers (7-8-0-4) at #5 Corlears Hookers (13-4)
Location: Tompkins West, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
2010 Result: Did Not Play
Game Notes: For the fourth straight season, the Corlears Hookers have advanced to the semifinals.  After cruising through their round of 16 matchup, an 8-3 win over Cobra Kai, the Hookers faced a stiffer test against Filthy Gorgeous in the quarterfinals.  The Hookers came out strong and jumped to an early 4-0 lead on the strength of Jason Eitel’s two goals.  However, as the shallow bench began to fatigue, Filthy took advantage and rallied in the second half to chip away at the seemingly insurmountable lead.  Although Filthy ultimately tied the game to force overtime, the Hookers discovered a second wind, and mid-season addition Tiffany Hagge clinched a trip to the semifinals with the game-winning goal.  The Butchers have been the surprise team of the playoffs and have knocked off the top two seeds in consecutive weeks.  Two weeks ago, they stunned the Hackett Division champion Rehabs with a thrilling shootout victory and advanced to the quarterfinals to take on the regular season champion Denim Demons.  With ardent support from a clearly partisan crowd, the Butchers pulled another rabbit out of their hat and shutout the top seed, 2-0.  Co-captain Ben Bloom scored the game-winning goal, his third of the playoffs.  With the Butchers expected to have the full support of the Tompkins crowd, can they knock off the top remaining seed once again?
Keys To The Game For The Corlears Hookers:
1. After receiving heavy criticism from the media for his lack of passing, Hookers forward Jason Eitel received a stern lecture from his mother, “Mrs. Eitel,” on the virtues of sharing, as she did not raise her son to be a selfish ball hog.  Although the stat remains unofficial, Eitel claims he had two assists in last week’s win.
2. Goaltender Dustin “Fake Dutch’s Brother” Olson allowed an uncharacteristic four goals in the second half of the Hookers’ quarterfinal matchup.  After giving up seven goals in two playoff games, he will need to clamp down between the pipes for his team to make the championship.
3. Team scientist Joshua “Doc” Sadlier-Brown has once again been experimenting with his time machine.  In his newest adventure, Doc has gone back to 2007 and 2008 to reverse the outcome of the BTSH championship games.  As a result, he now claims that the Hookers have actually won both.  Will the Butchers be intimidated by the (now) two-time champions?
Keys To The Game For The Butchers:
1. All-star goalie Eric Ramirez notched his second shutout of the playoffs last Sunday.  He has allowed just two goals in the Butchers’ three playoff wins and another stellar effort is critical to their chances.
2. Defenders “The Charismatic Enigma” Arthur Revechkis and Arnold Sanchez were assigned the difficult task of shadowing the Demons’ top scorers last week.  Their contributions were crucial in shutting down Zack Tinkelman, Mike Pereira, and the rest of the league’s third ranked offense.
3. In what has become a tradition, team goon Georgine “Mulva” Paulin has planned a series of wild activities to distract the Corlears Hookers the night before she plays them.  She has already received positive RSVPs from Dan Thompson, Peter “Purple Rain” Putka, and Gavin “Dutch’s Brother” Kearney, as well as teammate Jeff “Hawk” Hawkins.
Eli’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. The Butchers have made a nice run, but Olson returns to form and leads the Hookers to the championship game for the third time in four years.
Derek’s Pick: Corlears Hookers.  Although it is now chic to jump on the Butchers’ bandwagon, let’s not forget that Dutch Fever has been around for much longer.
Watchability: 4 Wingers