GOTW: Gut Rot at Cobra Kai (by Derek)

Last week, we saw the Happy Little Elves defeat Fresh Kills in an intense Game of the Week battle.  This Sunday’s contest promises to be just as exciting as Cobra Kai and Gut Rot face off for Greene Division supremacy.

Keys to the Game for Gut Rot:
Remember whatever it is you did in Week 7.  It was only three weeks ago that Gut Rot played perhaps its most impressive game of the season and defeated the Dojo 4-3 in a shootout.  The win came in the middle of a three game winning for the Gutties, which has propelled them to second place in the Greene Division.  Although that streak ended last week, the team still gained a point and a potential moral victory by taking LBS, Inc. to a shootout.

Keys to the Game for Cobra Kai:
Continue to spread the ball around.  Cobra Kai has 10 different players on its roster with at least one goal, which is the third best in the league (Math is first with 12 [14, if you include Cherie and Michelle]).  And the best part about all of these scorers is that no one knows what any of them look like.  Liam Martens is one of BTSH’s top 10 scorers with seven goals so far this season, but good luck figuring out who he is, and his picture is even on this very website!  This air of mystery surrounding the team and its deep roster of talent combine to be very lethal combo for the opposition.

Prediction:
Cobra Kai currently sits atop the Greene Division, leading second place Gut Rot by three points.  A win would give the Dojo a nearly insurmountable five point lead as we head into the Independence Day break.  A win by Gut Rot, however, would close the gap to just a point, as well as give the Gutties the head to head tiebreaker.  With such large divisional implications at stake, I say Cobra Kai wins a nail-biter, 3-2 in a shootout.
Rich’s Pick: Gut Rot has a ton of heart, Cobra Kai has a ton of talent. Talent trumps heart this Sunday, 3-1.
Eli’s Pick: Gut Rot has been taking a lot of games to shootouts in recent weeks.  Unlike Week 7, though, this time Cobra Kai gets the win in a shootout, 2-1.

Other Games

Mega Touch at Tompkins Square Riots (by Richie)
Is Alex the new Adriano? This guy is on a tear. But the Riots just pulled off a big upset of Poutine. The hits keep on coming as Alex scores again but this time in a 3-1 loss.
Derek’s Pick: Even the Mathematics couldn’t prevent Alex from scoring.  Nevertheless, the Riots pull out a 2-1 win.
Eli’s Pick: Alex does not score this week, but Mega wins, 4-3.

Poutine Machine at Butchers (by Richie)
There is a long history for these two expansion teams that came into BTSH in the glorious year of 2010. The Butchers have gotten the better of Poutine in the past, and that trend will continue as they romp Poutine 2-1. Hopefully Matt finishes the game this week for Poutine.
Derek’s Pick: Not sure that 2-1 qualifies as a “romp,” but I’ll agree that the Butchers win…3-1.
Eli’s Pick: Richie needs to expand his vocabulary…or learn how to count. Poutine with a 2-1 win.

Fresh Kills at Denim Demons (by Richie)
Is Barch back yet? Hopefully Gabe learns how to shoot a little slower and his balls stay in the net longer. 4-1 FK.

Derek’s Pick: The Demons looked impressive in their win against WTP last week.  Kamen goes off in this one, and the Demons sneak out a 3-2 victory.
Eli’s Pick: Fresh Kills responds to last week’s loss with a 3-1 win.

Filthy Gorgeous at La Famiglia (by Richie)
Filthy is Jekyll and Hyde, and the Tuques keep winning, but not as much as before. Careful Tuques, this ain’t no gimmie. Though I’ll still pick you 3-2.
Derek’s Pick: Every once in a while, Filthy just decides to play out of their minds…like their huge win over LBS, Inc. several weeks back.  Filthy in my UPSET SPECIAL, 4-2.
Eli’s Pick: Wow, all caps there…Famiglia takes this one, 5-2.

Gremlins at Mathematics (by Richie)
Math lost Cherie to the Butchers and now Becky to Cambodia. If I were Derk and Elly, I’d make sure Roxy stops speaking to Soko. I’ll take Math 3-2 here.

Rehabs at Dark Rainbows (by Richie)
Rehabs rebound after pitiful loss to Math. They win this one 4-1.
Derek’s Pick: ‘habs bounce back with a win over Big Pink, 4-1.
Eli’s Pick: Is Hector done as a goalie? Either way, Rehabs 3-0.