GOTW: Butchers at Gremlins

It’s an all Kazin Conference week for the featured games, as our second Game of the Week features a couple of Glanzer Division squads.  Last week, the Butchers downed the Dark Rainbows for a second consecutive win, while the Gremlins struggles continued with a shutout loss to Cobra Kai.

Keys for the Butchers:
They have moved on well from the off-season defections, and that opening week loss to Fresh Kills seems so long ago.  Wins against Filthy Gorgeous and the Dark Rainbows have the Butchers spirits soaring, and their new players have been leading the way. 

Some guy named Jeff Laniando potted four goals in their two wins, Tim Burke has been steady between the pipes, and Meredith returned from her sabbatical to anchor the defense.

There was even a random Gary Kowalski appearance on Sunday, as Rachel seems to be getting nostalgic for the days of the Mighty Squirrels.  Who shows up next?  How about Andrea Schloeder?  Or Eric Breitman?  Wait, Mungo?  Please, please let it be Mungo!  Remember when he used to do comedy sets at the season-opening party?  Those were epic.

Keys for the Gremlins:
Even though they are 0-3, the Gremlins must be doing something right, because how else would they get a cushy Game of the Week spot?  Marketing, that must be it.  Sad Jamie and his other, less frequent, iterations have been all over this site since the season started, and why not, since the only time he has been kicked out of the crease is when someone shows up in a town car.  Unfortunately, this “All Jamie, all the time” blitz has obscured the rest of the Gremlins.  John Walker, Luke Berg, and a bunch of other people we don’t really know are getting buried right now.  The key to ending this? 

Scoring some goals.  Only two goals through three games is not going to move the needle.  Put some on the board, Gremmies, and the accolades will follow!

Prediction
Even though he had to latch on to the rising tide of Fresh Kills, Jamie did get his first win of the season on Sunday.  With that taste of victory still fresh in his mouth, maybe he can now spur the Gremlins on to a victory.  Sad Jamie is slowly morphing into Happy Jamie, and the Gremlins prevail, 3-1.
Rich’s Pick:  I’ve played a lot with Arnold lately. At the charity tournament that Rachel rigged so she would win my team purposely took him out and busted his nose. Arnold didn’t miss a shift. Respect. Respect. Butchers 3- Gremmies 2. Sad Jamie, remains sad.
Derek’s Pick:  At the beginning of the season, I really thought Sad Jamie and the Gremlins would make a nice little run.  It’s make or break time.  This game is divisional, and an 0-4 record would put them into quite a chasm.  They realize this and notch a 4-3 win. (P.S. Eli, you remind us of all those old-timey Mighty Squirrel players, but no Tim “(S)crappy” Gray mention?  For shame!)

Other Games:

Happy Little Elves at Cobra Kai

No wonder Richie has been so exhausted this week.  The Barnacle Bowl is on Sunday!  And unlike the no longer prestigious (yet still imaginary) Fairy Tale Cup, the Elves actually care about this traveling trophy.  Which means long nights for Richie as he works on perfecting a game plan that will keep the treasured Bowl in Elves hands.  They have dominated this series, and that should continue on Sunday, as the Elves keep the Bowl once again, 5-2.

Rich’s Pick: No Adela or Luisa, but Sarah T. and Budnick are back, along with our new edition (Emeritus note: We think he means addition), Trevor’s girlfriend Emily! We’ll try to pick up a free agent girl along the way. 14-0. (Glanzer note: Elly was right, I did)
Derek’s Pick: UPSET SPECIAL!  The Elves are nothing without Adela, and the Dojo takes the Barnacle Bowl with a 3-2 win!

Sky Fighters at Corlears Hookers
With last week’s win against the Mathematics, the Corlears Hookers extended their league-leading winning streak to eight games, which of course, includes last season’s championship run (trivia time: their last loss was a 1-0 loss to What The Puck, with Hannah Stark scoring the game’s lone goal).  The Sky Fighters, meanwhile, are seeing how the other half lives this season and are off to an 0-3 start, largely due to the disappearance of Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka.  That said, it seems unlikely that they’ll be the ones to #breakthestreak.  3-1 Hookers.
Eli’s Pick: One team is 3-0, the other is 0-3, so this should be an easy pick, right?  Actually, yes, it should.  Corlears 5-1.
Rich’s Pick: Isn’t there supposed to be a question along with the trivia? Otherwise its just a fact. I apologize for Derk. Also, Noelle is the only girl including and especially Jenna Cruff with multiple goals. 6-1 Hooks.

Denim Demons at Gouging Anklebiters
Good news everyone!  We found Coach, alive and well!  And we didn’t have to spend all summer searching, or lean on the expertise of a movie character to do so.  The Coach who returned showed no rust, allowing just one goal as the Demons knocked off the Elves, 2-1.  I see another close, low scoring game here, as the Demons knock off the Biters, 3-1.
Rich’s Pick: Coach let in one goal on two shots. (In my awesome Coach voice) “A win is still a win Glanzer.” They’ll taste sweet victory again. 3-2.
Derek’s Pick: Sweet duck face, Jenna.  3-1 Demons.

LBS, Inc. at What The Puck
What The Puck enters this game still searching for that elusive first win to the season.  Last week, they nearly found it against the vaunted La Famiglia of all teams.  But alas, the princess was in another castle, and their late comeback attempt came up one goal short.  The Wolves of 10th Street also suffered a loss last week, as Filthy Gorgeous remembered they can be good when James and Suvin both play, and goaltender Timmy was playing with audio equipment at MSG.  That said, LBS, Inc. will look to take their frustrations out against the newbies and send WTP to World 0-4.

Eli’s Pick: Timmy needed a week off.  He’ll come back refreshed and lead LBS, Inc. to a 3-0 win.
Rich’s Pick: Has Ken the Alpha Male $h0wT!m3d? He’s been at the last two games? #CoreyWinters scored a goal for WTP, what about their other captain, Emily? Time to step up! I’ll go with the Lbs. on this one, 4-2. WTP will get their W’s after this rough stretch is over.