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.

Sky Fighters (6-3) at Gut Rot (3-5-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Game Notes: In their last game, the Sky Fighters exploded for nine goals against the Rehabs.  The win allowed them to remain tied for the Hackett Division lead with the Dark Rainbows.  However, Gut Rot has also been hot in recent weeks, with consecutive 4-3 victories against the Butchers and La Famiglia.
Eli’s Pick: Sky Fighters
Derek’s Pick: Sky Fighters.  When they’re at full attendance, few teams in BTSH can slow down this offensive onslaught.
Watchability: 2.5 Sokolyanskies

What The Puck (7-1) at Denim Demons (8-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: What The Puck leads 11-3
Game Notes: This game has been canceled.  There will be an open scrimmage on this court in its place.

Tompkins Square Riots (5-3-1) at Rehabs (4-4-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Game Notes: This will be the Rehabs’ first game after their “team-building” retreat at Anita Khar’s beach house during the fourth of July weekend.  After their tiff following the three-legged race, will Bryan “Stork” Welch and Stacy S. Kehoe be able to co-exist?  According to team captain, Meredith “Danberg” Ficarelli, the answer is yes, as Mike “Cupcake” Bartlett hosted a “beer summit” with the both of them to smooth things over.
Eli’s Pick: Rehabs.  They’ll play better now that they aren’t fighting amongst themselves.
Derek’s Pick: Rehabs
Watchability: 3 Sokolyanskies

LBS, Inc. (3-5-0-1) at Corlears Hookers (5-3)
Location: Tompkins East, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Corlears Hookers lead 2-1
Game Notes: These Rubens Division foes square off for the second time this season.  In Week 1, the Corlears Hookers opened the 2010 slate on a high note with a 5-3 win against the Corporation.  However, the Hookers enter this game with a bitter taste in their mouths, having lost their last game to the Demons by eight goals.  Of course, there is also the added bad blood in this game due to the Hookers’ choice of team colors.
Eli’s Pick: LBS, Inc.  The Corporation, as the road team, will not be pleased with having to wear its navy alternates.
Derek’s Pick: Corlears Hookers.  Their record has suffered due to attendance issues, but it’s still the Hookers.
Watchability: 4 Sokolyanskies

Mathematics (2-5-0-2) at Poutine Machine (4-4)
Location: Tompkins West, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Poutine Machine leads 1-0
Game Notes: In Week 1, Poutine Machine celebrated its inaugural game with a 2-1 defeat of the Mathematics in a shootout.  Salman Haq led the way for Poutine with the team’s only regulation goal and only shootout goal.
Watchability: 2.5 Sokolyanskies.  Most likely, Rob “Mungo” Gorden will be cheering from the sidelines, just as he was in Week 1.

Gouging Anklebiters (4-4) at Filthy Gorgeous (6-2-0-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: Filthy Gorgeous leads 6-2
Game Notes: These teams last met in the opening round of the 2009 playoffs where Filthy Gorgeous blanked the Anklebiters 4-0.  Joe “Monster Mash” Essock, Jean Hebert, Dana Kravis, and Suvin “The Guru” Malik each contributed a goal, while Dan “D.O.” Owens recorded the shutout.  This game also marked the end of a glorious playing career for Biter legend Jeremy “The Foot” Schumacher.
Eli’s Pick: Filthy Gorgeous
Derek’s Pick: Filthy Gorgeous
Watchability: 3.5 Sokolyanskies.  With both teams usually in blue, will we get a chance to see Filthy’s beige v-necks yet again (or even better, the lime green throwbacks)?

La Famiglia (2-6) at Cobra Kai (5-4)
Location: Tompkins West, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: Cobra Kai leads 3-2
Game Notes: Will Kuhns scored two goals for Cobra Kai in the Dojo’s Week 1 win over La Famiglia.  However, this victory did not absolve Cobra Kai of a previous obligation with La Famiglia.  In Week 22 of the 2009 season captain Greg “Lysol” Altman lost a bet, requiring his team to film a commercial extolling the virtues of the Tuques La Famiglia.
Eli’s Pick: Cobra Kai
Derek’s Pick: Cobra Kai.  La Famiglia’s in a bit of a tailspin these days.  Perhaps a name change would motivate the team…
Watchability: 3 Sokolyanskies

HOCKEY NIGHT IN TOMPKINS (National Telecast)
Written by Hockey Night in Tompkins Correspondent Jesse Kalb
Unicorns (4-4) at Happy Little Elves (4-3-0-2)
Location: Tompkins West, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 1-1
Game Notes: On the surface, it would be hard for these two teams to be more closely matched.  Only 2 points separate them in the standings, and they have equally unintimidating mascots. Dig deeper, however, and you’ll see this is a case of a very resistible force (the Unicorns’ offense) meeting an entirely movable object (the Elves’ defense). The Unicorns are near the bottom of the league in goals scored (only 5 teams have fewer), while the Elves are among the worst in goals allowed (only 4 teams have given up more). This one will likely turn on whether or not Unicorns goalie Craig LaCombe can avoid jail time for — allegedly –leaving an upper-decker in the Doc Holliday’s bathroom. If the Ug One is in goal, it stays close.
Vegas Line: Elves by 1/2 point
Jesse the Greek says: If you must bet, take the Elves and give the half point.
Watchability: Great matchup. 4 packs of Crazy Bands

HOCKEY NIGHT IN TOMPKINS (Regional Telecast)
Written by Hockey Night in Tompkins Correspondent Jesse Kalb
Butchers (1-5-0-3) at Mega Touch (2-6-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Game Notes: While the Butchers remain competitive every week, and seem to have fixed their scoring problems with Offensive Coordinator Ben Bloom’s Champagne Room Offense, they still haven’t quite figured out how to win games. With just one win, but three overtime shootout losses, the Butchers have actually clawed their way out of the Donohue Division cellar. What remains to be seen is if their formula of wool ankle socks and gold hot pants can translate to more wins in the dog days of summer. Mega Touch, while sporting just 5 points and a negative goal differential, are not an easy out, and showed a lot of resiliency in coming back from down 3-0 to earn a 3-3 tie just 2 weeks ago.
Vegas Line: Mega Touch by 1
Jesse the Greek says: Butchers in a (minor) upset.
Watchability: 3 cans of Purple Drank. Both these teams run hard, and it should be a good game.

BONUS GAME!
La Famiglia (2-6) at Gouging Anklebiters (4-4)
Location: Tompkins West, 6:30 PM
All-Time Series: Gouging Anklebiters lead 11-3
Game Notes: This game was originally scheduled to be played on June 13, but was postponed due to “rain fears.”  The good news from this postponement is that current Anklebiter, and former La Famiglia Tuque, Sarah Moore will finally be able to face off against her former team.  Moore is reportedly extremely excited to see her old teammates, especially Bill Monahan…who is a sweetie.
Eli’s Pick: No pick. Eli will be reffing this game.
Derek’s Pick: No pick. Derek will be reffing this game.
Watchability: 2 Sokolyanskies.  Only the media will stick around to watch this Hockey Late Night In Tompkins match.

Survivor Pool

Remaining competitors Adriano “Muscles Marinara” Bratta and “The Chairman” Ben Chadwick have decided to declare a draw.  They will split the prize of a free post on btsh.org by writing an article together.

Stay tuned for a totally new game coming next week…