The Fall/Winter Season of C league is underway and the long grueling road ahead is a long one for all teams. With Coke/Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo winning Back to Back C League Championships, the question being asked lately is "Can Coke/YDD Threepeat? Are they a Dynasty?"
Since I have made the decision to "retire" from league play this year, I can offer an unbiased review of all teams this session. I will make my picks for Season Champs this season and provide a brief analysis of each team. Throughout the season, I will update with news, picks & more game time analysis, so those playing "Fantasy C League Hockey" can make the appropriate changes in their starting line ups. For those laying money in Vegas based on my choices, I cannot be responsible for losses, but accept donations if you have winnings.
Killer Tomatoes (50-1) What does the coolest team name, coolest logo and players that have the most fun get you? A very ineffective hockey team. Bless their heart, this extremely strong D League team has a long season ahead of them. I hope its not as bad as the Slovakia Women's Team beating Bulgaria 82-0 when they play some of the other teams. If this team get a mascot to distract the fans that come to the game, it won't be as painful to watch. I'm just waiting for fans to start throwing tomatoes on the ice in protest of debacle called hockey. Have fun in the lounge drinking some beverages & watching the C League Playoffs from the stands.
Cup O Insurance (15-1) A merging of two sponsors -Cup O Kryptonite & 11 to 7 Insurance has to brilliant team owners working together to try and assemble a winning product. The problem here lies in the mish -mash of players. This team is like a "Who's Who of Misfits." Guys like "The Toothless Wonder" in Josh Feathers, Justin "knock em all down" West, The 4 Stooges of Rain & Hail in Dylo, Gugat, Hudyma & Gosselin are just some of the players that will need to gel in order to play well. Their strength definitely lies in goaltending with Blaine Barker in net, but with "Puck Hog" Dean & "No Defense" Close rounding out this squad, not even Blaine may be able to salvage this one.
Legends (14-1) Greg Davis skating out? Re-signing of Lenhard? The acquisition of Waste Management's Heckman? All questions that have raised eyebrows? Are these the best decisions for a team that was once considered a contender? I say no. This team has been the biggest disappointment over the last several years. From a variety of drinking establishment sponsors (Hooters to Legends...what's next? 3rd Base?), this team can't get on the same path. To many superstars grace this roster and not enough work horses. Can you say "over-rated"?
Slapshot (12-1) This team moves back into the Sunday division hoping for a better showing on a new night. Many unanswered questions remain regarding returning players, goaltending and player consistency. Unfortunately, the night of the week is not going to matter much as the same results will occur. Prediction is for a sub .500 season and no run into the playoffs.
Alien Vegas (10-1) With my retirement from the team, much concern is here. Can Captains Lowell, Kelley & Fascian keep the team focused? This team is looking to use the Fall/Winter League as practice for their upcoming April Vegas Tourney. The problem is their focus is more on practicing their late night escapades, drinking, gambling & more and less focus on the hockey aspect. Although power player Scott Kelley has stepped into my role, and new addition McCallum to the Vegas squad is a benefit as well, the biggest blow may have been the defector. Vegas Team Player & star forward Mikey Dylo informed the team last minute that he was going to a competing team. Although they'll all be friends in Vegas, the road to April will a treacherous one for Dylo as the Vegas Team is out for him. Season finish should be about .500.
Untouchables (10-1) What has 76 guns, 30 skates, 8 fire hoses, 3 fire trucks & a so-so goalie? The new Fire/Police/Law Enforcement/Detective/Attorney/Medical Team. This team has got alot of heart, grit & ammunition (literally). This team has had an opportunity to play together and brings the great cohesiveness to the table. If they can stay out of the penalty box & work together, this team can be a contender. The only thing that may stop these guys from winning is someone pulling a fire alarm across town during a game or robbing a bank so they get called away. Watch out for this squad.
Irwins (10-1) Another team looking for a change of scenery by moving to Sunday nights. The break up of the Irwins/Legends Summer team has provided the leftovers for 2 even more sub par teams. The Sunday Irwins Team should have a better showing than Legends, but not by much. A lack of strong defense, mediocre offense and an average goalie at best will put on an entertaining show, but not create a winner. Start focusing on player development and the draft for next season.
QCI (9-1) You can cut the mullet of Jaromir Jagr, but he's still Jagr. You can change the Bearings Group to QCI, but they still have the strength of Blickley (maybe he'll groom himself this season), finesse of Brus, and intensity of VerMulm. Welcoming back some soldiers from Iraq are returning players Kinney & Mersbeger. These 2 will only add to the already strong core. Captain Danielson runs a tight ship and this season will be the team's best run at the Keg. A core of these guys know what it takes to win as the original members of this crew won the Boulevard Keg prior to Coke/YDD making their run.
Alien Black (7-1) Beware of the Alien. All other teams should be very afraid of the team Wheeler has assembles. The return of John Perry, the lost Boy Wonder Paul Liepa & a great off-season acquisition of Anthan from Team Irwins makes this a powerful unit. Van Patten & Brown together again as a confident defensive pair while Anderson in net will make them even stronger. This team should be a front runner all season and should have no problems along the way to the Championship game. This is my pick for Wednesday Night League Champs going to the Finals.
Coca Cola/Yankee Doodle Dandy (5-1) The prediction is being made so take it to the bank. This team needs no government bailout as they work their way to another Boulevard Keg Championship. Some have argued that the loss of Wehrenberg & Glessner will hurt the team. It doesn't matter as they find a way to overcome adversity every year to win. This past summer had them scraping the bottom of the barrel just to field a team, and yet found a way to pull out the win. With Whitaker & Koenig at the helm, this team should have a relatively easy run in the Sunday league on their way to face Alien Black in the Finals.
Good Luck to All!!!
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