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GAME OF THE WEEK
Denim Demons (3-2-0-1) at Unicorns (4-1-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Denim Demons lead 6-5-2
Game Notes: Two of the league’s top goaltenders go head to head in this inter-conference matchup.  After a slow start to the 2011 season, the Denim Demons’ Aaron “Coach” Pagdon has returned to the form that helped him capture last season’s “Best Goaltender” award second best goals against average.  In his last four games, he has allowed just two goals and recorded two shutouts.  During that stretch, however, the offense scored a paltry three goals, resulting in a 2-1-0-1 record.  With Craig “Ug” LaCombe between the pipes, the Unicorns have allowed the fewest goals in BTSH.  LaCombe, who had the top goals against average last season, has given up less than one goal per game and leads the league with three shutouts.  His goaltending, along with strong defensive play from the rest of the team, has boosted the Unicorns into a tie for first place in the Donohue Division.  With bragging rights at stake between good friends Pagdon and LaCombe, goals will be at a premium when these teams collide.
Keys To The Game:
1. After averaging 3.8 goals per game last season, the Denim Demons’ offense has struggled this year, averaging just two goals per game.  Zack Tinkelman and Mike Pereira, who combined for 31 goals in 2010, have scored just once so far.  It is clear that Pereira’s lack of attendance this season has hurt the team.
2. The Unicorns’ offense has revolved around the top line of Joe Polowczuk and Chris, who have collectively scored more than half of the team’s goals.  Polowczuk leads the team with five goals on the season.  In addition, after playing with the Rehabs in a guest role against the Happy Little Elves, he is also tied for their team lead with three goals.
3. Unicorns captains Courtney and Lindsay were recently spotted tape recording a supposedly closed Denim Demons practice in an attempt to procure footage of David Kenneth Fraser’s sprinting prowess.  Furious, Demons captain Adam “Legend Killer” Rubens has filed a formal complaint with league manager Adriano “Muscles Marinara” Bratta and noted, “I’ll go to the papers if I have to.”
Eli’s Pick: Denim Demons.  Pagdon has been a little better than LaCombe in recent weeks.
Derek’s Pick: Denim Demons.  Their deeper bench gives them a boost when they need it most.
Watchability: 4 Joe Tinkys.  With both goaltenders keeping goals off the board, this game should stay close until the end.

Gut Rot (0-6) at Gouging Anklebiters (1-5)
Written by Early Game Correspondent Will Kuhns
Location: Tompkins East, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Gouging Anklebiters lead 1-0
Game Notes: These two franchises joined forces in March to implement some of the most advanced scouting techniques in BTSH, which pretty much makes this game some form of incest — sweaty gloves and all. Hot. Both teams will go to great lengths to underestimate each other and both know that the column labeled “DIFF” in the standings displays the discount they receive on each check at ACE bar.
Will’s Pick: The ‘Biters. Gut Rot’s offense struggles despite Ellery’s invaluable absence, while Phil inspires his side with a damn good Martin St. Louis impression.
Watchability: 3 Joe Tinkys

LBS, Inc. (4-1-0-1) at Happy Little Elves (2-2-0-2)
Written by Early Game Correspondent Will Kuhns
Location: Tompkins West, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: LBS, Inc. leads 3-0
Game Notes: The Elves’ bout with Champions’ Complacency Syndrome is well documented, but their goals per game matches that of the Corporation. Three LBS games have gone into OT, thus causing multiple stick-manglings, but Tommy Capatosta has been a clutch scorer. This should be another high-scoring, see-saw affair.
Will’s Pick: Delighted Little Elves. A healthy dollop of D.B.A.D. karma pays dividends as Sascha says, “Sure, Accurate Bob and OchoCinco can play with Elves today …”
Watchability: 0.5 Joe Tinkys and 2.5 Sally Winkys

Poutine Machine (3-2-1) at Mega Touch (2-4)
Location: Tompkins East, 2:00 PM
All-Time Series: Poutine Machine leads 2-1
Game Notes: These MacNeil Division adversaries last met in the opening round of the 2010 playoffs, when a young Tim Brown and Poutine Machine shut out Mega Touch 5-0.  Wily veteran Dave Paglia led the offensive attack with two goals.  This result prompted Mega Touch’s new captain Julie Katz to initiate her offseason “get Adriano at all costs” plan to bolster the team’s anemic offense.
Eli’s Pick: No pick.  Eli will be reffing this game.
Derek’s Pick: Poutine Machine.  Mega’s offense is a lot more potent with Muscles, but Sven’s offseason additions have made the Poutine defense even stingier.
Watchability: 3 Joe Tinkys

Butchers (4-2) at Cobra Kai (3-1-1-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 1-1
Game Notes: After splitting their season series last year, these Donohue Division teams renew their rivalry this Sunday.  Last season, the Butchers defeated Cobra Kai in the inaugural matchup via a 6-0 shutout in Week 12, but the Dojo rebounded with a 4-2 win in Week 17.  This season, both teams currently sit just one point out of first place in the division.
Eli’s Pick: Butchers.  Through six games, goalie Eric Ramirez has allowed more than one goal just once.
Derek’s Pick: Cobra Kai.  Sarab Lalri already has six goals this season and is becoming an early favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Watchability: 4 Joe Tinkys

Fresh Kills (5-1) at What The Puck (5-0-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: What The Puck leads 9-7-1
Game Notes: These Hackett Division foes battled to a shootout in Week 1, when Fresh Kills handed What The Puck its lone loss of the season.  Since then, Larry’s Orange Juggernaut has run off five consecutive victories, winning each by an average of more than three goals.  Fresh Kills also enters this contest on a winning streak, having won its last four games, including a shutout against the Corlears Hookers.
Eli’s Pick: What The Puck.  Fresh Kills goalie Patrick Barch might want to stay in Pennsylvania for the weekend.
Derek’s Pick: Fresh Kills.  I’m not sure lightning will strike twice, but this seems to be the only team that has WTP’s number.
Watchability: 4.5 Joe Tinkys

Rehabs (1-5) at Filthy Gorgeous (2-4)
Location: Tompkins East, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: Filthy Gorgeous leads 4-3
Game Notes: Although both of these Rubens Division teams have struggled this season, the Rehabs and Filthy Gorgeous are each coming off of a divisional win.  The Rehabs, on the strength of Joe Polowczuk’s hat trick, defeated the Happy Little Elves 7-5, while Filthy Gorgeous finally took down the Corlears Hookers 4-1.  When these teams faced off in Week 1, Filthy shut out the Rehabs 2-0.
Eli’s Pick: Filthy Gorgeous.  Monica Russo will not allow Joe to play for the Rehabs.
Derek’s Pick: Filthy Gorgeous
Watchability: 3 Joe Tinkys

La Famiglia (3-0-1-2) at Mathematics (2-3-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 4:30 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 3-3
Game Notes: La Famiglia remained undefeated in regulation with the team’s Week 6 thrashing of Gut Rot.  The team scored nine times in that contest, putting the offense at the top of the Schumacher Conference.  The Mathematics lost their last game 2-1 against the Denim Demons.
Watchability: 3.5 Joe Tinkys.  Half of La Famiglia’s games have gone to overtime, so the odds of a tight game are pretty good.

HOCKEY NIGHT IN TOMPKINS (Regional Telecast)
Written by Hockey Night in Tompkins Correspondent Jesse Kalb
Tompkins Square Riots (2-4) at Sky Fighters (3-2-0-1)
Location: Tompkins West, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: Sky Fighters lead 1-0
Game Notes: It’s Imaginary Fistfight Week here at H.N.I.T. studios. The Riots and Skyfighters settle the question of who would win a fight between Bob Newhart and Don Knotts. This one will be all spread-collar plaid shirts, turtlenecks, witty asides, and slap-fighting. (All physical contact is metaphorical, of course. BTSH does not condone violence.) Obviously, the Riots are the goofball Knotts, bug-eyed and gangly, always the butt of the joke. The Skyfighters are the sardonic Newhart: quiet dignity in a rumpled sweater, hijinks ensuing all around him. You can follow him on Twitter @BobNewhart.
Vegas Line: ‘Fighters by 2
Jesse the Greek says: Is there really any question here? Go with Bob, and lay the points.
Watchability: 3 laugh tracks

HOCKEY NIGHT IN TOMPKINS (National Telecast)
Written by Hockey Night in Tompkins Correspondent Jesse Kalb
Corlears Hookers (4-2) at Dark Rainbows (5-0-0-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 5:30 PM
All-Time Series: Corlears Hookers lead 4-2
Game Notes: The second Imaginary Fistfight pits Raphael from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Hookers) vs. Penelope Pitstop (Rainbows). The aggressive-to-a-fault Raphael has only one gear: full speed ahead. Look for Penelope to weather an early barrage, then counterpunch their brasher opponent with a smile.
Vegas Line: Pick-em
Jesse the Greek says: Rainbows. The Hookers started out like a house afire, but have perhaps lost focus with 2 straight defeats.
Watchability: 4 bowls of Saturday morning cereal