All regular season games have been played, the stats are in, and we are ready to begin our playoffs!


As stated before, we will be using a normal seeding process (rather than a division-oriented process) that uses the following superlatives:


1. Points total - 2 for a win and 1 for an overtime loss

2. GF-GA Difference - the value received when a team's goals against are subtracted from the goals for.



With that in mind, here is this session's final standings, including stat totals:



No. Name W-L-OT (PTS) - GF - GA [DIFF]

1. Cedars 9-1-0 (18) - 95 - 40 [+55]

2. Milfhunters 8-2-0 (16) - 67 - 49 [+18]

3. Wildebeests 7-3-0 (14) - 72 - 58 [+14]

4. Puck U 5-5-1 (11) - 43 - 44 [-1]

5. Marauders 5-5-0 (10) - 80 - 78 [+2]

6. Presto Change-O 5-5-0 (10) - 60 - 80 [-20]

7. McDowell's 3-7-1 (7) - 46 - 78 [-32]

8. Mr. Yuk 3-7-0 (6) - 61 - 81 [-20]



And, here are the scheduled first round of games. Please note: The original brackets have games at 6, 7, 8, and 9. We have bumped all games up one hour. There are games at 7, 8, 9 and 10.



Thursday, August 9th, 7:00PM #6 Presto Change-O @ #3 Wildebeests

Thursday, August 9th, 8:00PM #7 McDowell's @ #2 Milfhunters

Thursday, August 9th, 9:00PM #8 Mr. Yuk @ #1 Cedars

Thursday, August 9th, 10:00PM #5 Marauders @ #4 Puck U



Also, rather than making games up on Mondays and Wednesdays as we had during the regular season, we will simply move postponed games to the next Tuesday or Thursday (so, if it rains on Thursday August 9th, we will play those games on Tuesday, August 14th. This will also push back any dates set for starting the fall session.

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Last Thursday the semifinals were completed. Here are the results of those games:



7:00 - Milfhunters 11, Wildebeests 9

8:00 - Cedars 10, Marauders 0



As a result, the championship will be a best-of-three series to be played between the Milfhunters and Cedars on the next playable day. All two or three games will be played on a single night starting at 7:00PM. Here is the list of remaining days that can be played if weather does not cooperate:



Tuesday, August 21st at 7, 8, 9

Wednesday, August 22nd at 7, 8, 9

Monday, August 27th at 7, 8, 9

Tuesday, August 28th at 7, 8, 9



If the 21st or the 28th's games are postponed, this further pushes the Fall Session's Captain's meeting and start date. However, if all four days listed above are unsuitable for playing, the very latest the Fall Session Captain's meeting will be is Thursday, August 30th at 7:00PM.



Also, this Thursday (Aug. 23rd) there will be pickup starting at 7:00PM. $2 per skater for anyone interested - check this site for any information regarding rain cancellations.

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Congratulations to Jason Dudash and the Cedars team for capturing the league title by defeating the Milfhunters in two games (11-1, 11-1) on Wednesday night. Cedars will also hold the distinction of being the first team in history to hoist the soon-to-be Russell Cup, the trophy that we are in the process of obtaining. Details and photos of the trophy and it's acceptance by Jason Dudash will be posted when they are finally available.



Because the Championship was able to be played on Wednesday, we will be able to hold the Captain's Meeting for the Fall 2007 Session on Tuesday, August 28th at 7:00PM at the New Castle YMCA. We already have four confirmed teams for the fall session, and there is a distinct possibility that there will be more.



If you're interested in having a team for the fall session, please contact Jason or Matt ASAP and attend the mandatory captain's meeting.



As of right now, we are planning on starting the fall session on the following Thursday, August 30th. Times and schedules will be released ASAP.

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Schedule Posted & Stats Updated

The entire schedule for the Fall '07 Session has been put on the website, and the games played on September 4th 2007 have been updated. There were a few exceptions to the updated stats, so see the "Stats Updated (9-5-07)" news story in the headlines box to the right for more details.



I'm going to try to keep posting short game summaries for each game as I post the stats this session. When you go to "Game Results" on the left-hand menu, then click the game's final score link, at the top of that page there should be a paragraph or two chronicling the game according to the stats/my eye witness. This may not last all session but let me know what you think of it.



All-Star Roster Released

The second part of the New Castle-Oil City All-Star Game is coming up soon (game date is still TBA), and a modified roster for the All-Star team has been selected. In addition to selecting players based on their statistical performances in the Summer '07 session, an effort was made to select teammates that work well together. Here is a list of the twelve skaters, two goaltenders and three alternate skaters who have been selected (listed along with their suggested lines):



Jason Dudash

Tony Sig

Tony Pica

Aaron Lewis



Mark Stoner

Kevin Calvert

Dave Huddy

Jarad Trimble



Joe Wilson

Chris Callahan

Dave Cosgrove

Matt Orres



Goaltenders:



Andy Palumbo

Steve Poulton



Alternate Skaters:



Brian Pruitt

CJ Meyer

Sean Vannoy





The date for the game is still to be announced, but we will be giving everyone a heads-up one week in advance. It was originally set for Saturday, September 8th, but we are looking to reschedule it for another Saturday in September.



We ask that all players listed (including alternates) be ready to attend the game. Please let Matt know (724-458-3217) if you are unable to attend as soon as possible! Thanks again.

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Due to the postponements on Thursday September 27, here is a revised schedule for both Monday October 1 and Tuesday October 2. Note: Check back here often, and check the date of this message to see when it was last updated - this will be updated as soon as we hear back from teams that need schedule changes!



Changes will be marked with italicized red text!

Monday, October 1st, 2007

7:00 - Wildebeests @ Skillz

8:00 - Skillz @ Marauders



Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

7:00 - Wildebeests @ McDowells

8:00 - Marauders @ Crackers

9:00 - Wildebeests @ Skillz

10:00 - McDowells @ Crackers

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All games for the 2007 Fall Session have been played, recorded and updated on the site, and except for one day's postponements due to rain, were completed on time. Below is the final standings based on these superlatives (carried over from the spring and summer sessions):



1. Points - 2 for wins, 1 for overtime losses

2. Goals For-Goals Against Difference



Though we could have used the series record between two teams this session as a determiner, it was decided that the GF-GA statistic was more representative of the entire season rather than a quarter of it. Here is the overall standings according to the above superlatives:



No. | Name | Pts | GF | GA | DIFF |

1. | Wildebeests | 20 | 113 | 53 | +60 |

2. | Skillz | 18 | 109 | 85 | +24 |

3. | Crackers | 8 | 63 | 85 | -22 |

4. | McDowells | 8 | 81 | 105 | -24 |

5. | Marauders | 6 | 75 | 113 | -38 |



With that, here is the official Russell Cup Playoff Brackets: Fall 2007 Playoff Brackets (PDF).
Here are the times listed in that file:



Game A - Tuesday, October 9, 2007 @ 7:00 - McDowells @ Wildebeests

Game B - Tuesday, October 9, 2007 @ 8:00 - Crackers @ Skillz

Game C - Tuesday, October 9, 2007 @ 9:00 - Loser A vs. Loser B


Game D - Thursday, October 11, 2007 @ 7:00 - Winner A vs. Winner B

Game E - Thursday, October 11, 2007 @ 8:15 - Winner A vs. Winner B

Game F - Thursday, October 11, 2007 @ 9:30 - Winner A vs. Winner B (if needed)



I know I told a few of you the incorrect times, and I apologize. At the time I did not realize that the Crackers and McDowells had the same record. Please let me know if you need a schedule change at least 24 hours in advance. Thanks, and good luck to all in the playoffs!

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Due to the scheduled tear-down of the rink (to make way for the construction of a brand-new rink this coming spring) during the first weekend of November 2007, we are planning to hold a farewell tournament to commemorate the 12 years that we have all spent at the rink. Because much of the details of the tournament depend on how many people are attending and everyone's general preferences as to which times work best, many of these details are still up in the air. Please let Matt know when you're RSVP'ing what times work best for you (days of the week, times during those days) and we will try our best to schedule this tourney to make it most convenient. Here are the details we have now:



When: The week of Monday Oct. 22 - Saturday Oct. 27 2007

Where: New Castle YMCA Dek Hockey Rink (Phelps Way, New Castle)

What: A 3-on-3 pickup roller hockey tournament. Teams of five skaters and a goalie will be chosen at random (out of a hat).

How: Shortened 10-minute periods with minimal break time in between periods and games. Each team will be given a minimum of three games.

Depending on the number of goalies, we will most likely attempt to share goaltenders between teams. To make it more competitive, we will have a separate goalie competition between goaltenders to see which goaltender can have the lowest goals against number.

Cost: $5 per skater, full-time goalies are not charged a fee.

RSVP: All those interested in playing MUST RSVP by no later than Saturday, October 20th 2007 at 11:59PM EST by contacting Matt. Fees will not be due until the day of the tournament, but all players must RSVP by the 20th.



I also ask a favor of all captains from both past and present sessions - please spread the word to all of your players and let them know. If possible it would be helpful if we could use all captains as a funnel of information to see what types of setups would work best for all. As stated above, we will try our best to make this tournament as accommodating as possible, but we will need your input.

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The Russell Cup has been awarded once again to the victors of the Adult Roller Hockey session, and that team is John Horner's Skillz. Congratulations to John and his team as they successfully captured the Russell Cup by defeating the Wildebeest 2-0 in the Championship Series (7-5, 7-6).



The Farewell 3v3 Tournament is set to take place on Thursday, October 25 at 6:00PM. The games will be set up as follows:

-One (1) fifteen minute period per game

-Games will go until fifteen minutes have passed or ten (10) goals are scored

-A continuous clock will be used with no stoppages in time (unless the ball is unintentionally hit out of the rink)

-Offsides will be enforced at half court line, but players must enforce it amongst themselves

-No icing



The teams and rosters are as follows (The teams were picked at complete random, drawn out of a hat):



Senators

Captain, Jason Dudash

Joe Melichar

Matt Orres



Ducks

Captain, Mike Scalzo

Jarad Trimble

Tom Davis



Devils

Captain, Bobby Isabella

Dave Mikesell

Dave Cox



Stars

Captain, Joe Wilson

Tony Hall

Brian Pruitt



Bruins

Captain, Aaron Lewis

Randy Kale

Eric Patton



Predators

Captain, Tony Pica

Mark Stoner

Dave Huddy





Games will begin promptly at 6:00PM and every team will play once before 7:00PM. Here is the complete schedule:



6:00PM Stars at Senators

6:20PM Devils at Bruins

6:40PM Predators at Ducks

7:00PM Bruins at Stars

7:20PM Ducks at Senators

7:40PM Stars at Predators

8:00PM Senators at Devils

8:20PM Bruins at Predators

8:40PM Devils at Ducks



9:00PM#4 Seed at #1 Seed

9:20PM#2 Seed at #3 Seed

9:40PMTournament Championship



Champions of the tournament will receive T-shirts.



Every player must be sure to bring their $5 on the DAY OF the Tournament, or they will not play - NO EXCEPTIONS. The $5 fee is nominal and shouldn't be difficult to cover.



Any questions about the tournament should be directed to Matt. Good luck, and I hope to see you Thursday!

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The 3v3 Tournament has been completed, and congratulations to Tony Pica, Dave Huddy and Mark Stoner as they defeated the Senators to remain unbeaten and capture the Tournament Championship. All three of them will receive tournament T-shirts.



On Saturday, November 3 2007 the rink's stands, walls and benches were all torn down to make way for the groundbreaking of the brand-new community-funded rink in early Spring 2008. Photos were taken by a variety of sources, including Dan Irwin of the New Castle News (Click Here for Dan's photo collection and story from the New Castle News' November 5th print). We also have some photos on this site. Click on "Photo Albums" to the left to view a few shots of the action on Saturday to see just what went down and how the rink looks now.



As for YMCA Hockey, the program officially begins dormancy until the Spring. If you will be interested in playing in the spring, be sure to check back here or call the YMCA for more information. Calls will be made to former captains, but we need your help as well. When the time comes, spread the word to all who care. We will be vastly improving the programs we offer (especially for youth hockey), and we will try to keep the new rink open as much as possible.



Personally, I'd like to thank everyone who has participated this past year, and I look forward to working with all of you next year as well. It's been a LOT of fun and I can't wait for our new rink thanks to the amazing community-based effort to fund and build it.



See you next year... and Go Pens!



-Matt

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Yesterday, Thursday September 13th, the New Castle YMCA's Adult Roller Hockey started a tradition - The Russell Cup, as it is called, will be the official trophy awarded to the champions of each and every session played at the New Castle YMCA's roller hockey rink.



Following a tradition similar to that of the Stanley Cup, the Russell Cup will be awarded to the championship team, and then that team may celebrate however they wish with the Russell Cup. The team will then return the Cup to the league before another session starts.



Jason Dudash and the Cedars team will go down in history as the first team to hoist the Russell Cup above their heads, as they currently possess the Russell Cup after their summer session victory. Congratulations once again to Jason Dudash and the Cedars!



Click Here to see the official list of Russell Cup Champions, starting with Cedars.

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