GOTW: Cobra Kai at Gut Rot

In an admittedly poor effort to try to get Rachel Greene to end her boycott, we have decided to focus on her namesake division for this week’s Games of the Week.  Up first, a matchup between division leader Cobra Kai and the pre-season division favorite, Gut Rot.

Keys For Cobra Kai:
The Dojo was picked by the assembled media to finish either third or fourth in the Greene Division.  However, they currently sit alone in first place and are the only team in their division to have a winning record and a positive goal differential.  Plus, they already have logged division wins against the Dark Rainbows and Mega Touch.  Their offense is led by a bunch of relatively unknown but talented rookies, including Liam Martens, Pete Gallina, and Sebastian Asaro.  And they have that girl Ryan that everyone is talking about.

Keys For Gut Rot:
Unlike the Dojo, the assembled media really liked Gut Rot going into the season, as two of us picked them to win the division, and the other had them finishing second.  Unfortunately for the Rotters, Tom, their presumed leading scorer from 2013, moved back to Toronto over the winter, and took all of the goals with him (as well as breaking the hearts of the ladies of BTSH).  With just three goals through their first four games, things were so bad that the powers that be (Peaches? Tommy? a Gilligan?) summoned Tom back to New York post haste, and he scored their only regulation goal in their eventual shootout win against Scott Lee’s Tompkins Square Riots in their last game.

Prediction:
This is a big game for Cobra Kai.  A win gives them even more separation from Gut Rot in the standings and a third division win.  And the best way to win your division is to beat the other teams in your division.  If there is one area where Cobra Kai is unsettled, it is in goal.  Three different goalies have started each of their three wins, and only one of them (Pete Lang) is actually on their roster.  Regardless of Cobra Kai’s goalie rotation, I think they rise to the occasion against a spunky Gut Rot squad, and come away with a 4-2 win.
Rich’s Pick: Is Ryan that girl that you had play against us last year? Ryan’s a boys name. Anyways, CK is really good and will win this game 5-1.
Derek’s Pick: Cobra Kai also has that girl Rachel.  Unlike Ryan, we know her last name, but can’t mention it.  There may also be a rule in effect from several years ago banning us from mentioning any of Gut Rot’s last names (unless it’s a Gilligan, in which case, we can’t mention any first names).  4-1 for the Dojo.

Other Games:

Dark Rainbows at Happy Little Elves
This is the final game of the triangular series for the no-longer prestigious (but still imaginary) Fairy Tale Cup, and as luck would have it, both of these teams can still claim the Cup (The Gremlins can not, and as a punishment, will have to face the undefeated La Famiglia).  The outcomes are pretty simple…the Elves maintain possession of the Cup with a win or overtime loss, while the Rainbows claim the Cup for the first time since 2010 with a regulation win. 

According to our sources, “everyone” is showing for the Elves, so that’s good enough for us, especially considering we don’t know the status of Bernstein for the Rainbows.  Elves keep the Cup once again, 5-2.
Rich’s Pick: Actually, Luisa is of course a maybe, and New Trevor is doubtful. But Boris and Sig should be there, and I think this one’s not for the Rainbows. Wrong place, wrong time boys.
Derek’s Pick: I wonder if the Rainbows could get Janica back?  If she and John Nielsen play, I’m taking the Rainbows…otherwise, the Elves retain possession of the FTC 5-2.

Sky Fighters at Mega Touch
We see what you are doing here, Julie.  You pick Dan Hopper for your BTSH All-Star team, and butter him up with compliments about how he is a steal for $2 and that he passes to you.  And wouldn’t you know it, your team plays his on Sunday.  You think that you can just play some mind games and get Dan to turn the ball over to you over and over again.  But no.  Dan is way smarter than to fall for that.  And so are the rest of his teammates, as they get their first win of the season, 5-3.

Rich’s Pick: I’m going with Steph’s Sky Fighters as they win 5-4. BTW Stephanie…The Rangers eliminated the Canadiens…in case you forgot.
Derek’s Pick: How did the Mets blow this? 6 2/3 scoreless innings out of Wheeler, but the offense does nothing, and the bullpen coughs the game away. Sky finally wins 3-2.

Fresh Kills at Filthy Gorgeous

When we last left Filthy Gorgeous, they were just starting to remember that James, Suvin, and Sunny are on the team, an epiphany that led them to rattle off three consecutive victories, beginning with a shocking upset over LBS, Inc.  Aside from Dana Kravis’ goal last game, the trio has accounted for all of the team’s scoring during this mini-winning streak.  Of course, Fresh Kills has been its usual, dominant self for a majority of the season, cruising through all of its opponents.  That came to an abrupt halt last game, however, when the Hookers had a stunning come-from-behind win in the final minute of regulation to steal a victory from Big Blue.  Look for Kills to get back on track this week with a solid win over Filthy 4-2.

Rich’s Pick: Not the week I’d want to play FK. FK domiantes and wins 4-1.
Eli’s Pick: The 2014 All-Star Game IS happening. It’s already on the schedule. Both teams will have players in that game, but Fresh Kills wins this one, 5-2.

Butchers at Denim Demons
The Butchers are totally awesome.  Their captain, Rachel Greene is undoubtedly the best captain in all of BTSH in terms of gameplanning, recruiting, talent, and looks (probably a tie with Mega’s Julie Katz).  In addition, they also have the best defender in the league, Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli, whom I would select on my team above anyone else.  She possesses all of the qualities that one could possibly want in a blueliner, and I don’t think a comparison to Ray Bourque is way off base here.  The Demons have been solid this season, but I don’t see any way the Butchers don’t win this by at least five goals.
Rich’s Pick: I’m sorry, I don’t think either team is all that bright and I see two very confused refs as neither Adam or Rachel realize its maroon vs. red. Someone please wear white. Anyways, Demons 3-2 over Butchers.
Eli’s Pick: The Butchers are the road team and have a teal alternate. Problem solved. Demons 4-1.