Good afternoon SSBHL Community!

Now that we are past the halfway mark, every game becomes a little more important with playoffs around the corner! The push for positioning will grow far more intense and important. It is important though to remember that it is not the NHL, so please do not take it too seriously. It is not worth hurting someone or playing “Chippy” or “Cheap” to gain an advantage. I want to see better attitudes and sportsmanship this week and going forward please.

With that said, Lets get into some numbers!

Offensive onslaught!

1st) Coming in at Number 1 is The Hooligans Captain, Brendan MacKenzie aka B-Mac! Now, B-mac is always good every season to be fair…But holy hell has this guy been on an absolute tear this season!!! You cannot go in any direction of the rink without him on you fore-checking and breaking up your play. Not only that but he is producing points like a mad man! This past game, B-Mac acquired 4 goals and 2 assists to end the match at 6 points…but guess what? Hooligans scored 6 goals total… he engaged in EVERY point his team got. Talk about leading by example! Just insane work ethic this season and a leader on that team in every facet! Nicely done!

2nd) In 2^nd place this week, we have a split with Jeff Beattie and Matt Holleran of the Hawks! Both players came out strong and were both lighting the lamp! Holleran with 2 goals and 1 assist and Jeff with the opposite of 1 goal and 2 assists! Jeffs ability to dish the rock and Holleran’s ability to pot it home, could make for a great partnership on the Hawks! Although they came up short in getting the win, this was a good improvement for the Hawks as point production has been low since the injury to Ryan. Both Jeff and Matt Will look to capitalize this Sunday and keep the team’s playoff hopes alive vs the Pitbull’s. Should make for an exciting matchup! Excellent work last week boys and keep it up!

3rd) Coming in at the 3 slot is the Stone hands own Matt Avenia! Matt Played an overall solid and well-rounded game! Who managed to help his team on producing goals by gaining 3 assists! He also almost had a goal but was robbed that from the Hawks Goalie, Brad Wall. It has been great to see Avenia back on the rink after his departure last season, He has been an asset to any team he is on! Always back checking, getting into optimal position on the offensive front and just always making opponents life difficult. Splendid work last week buddy!

Defensive Lords!

1st) in 1^st we have The Spiders Captain Matt Leary Who returned to the lineup after missing the last week on vacation. The Spiders without a doubt needed his presence and leadership on the rink for this game, as it was a defensive slugfest! Matt was imperative on the defensive end, breaking up multiple odd man rushes, getting in the way of shots, and contributing to the scoring as well and in a game this tight, was crucial! Ge managed 1 goal and 1 assist to net 2 points total. Considering the Spiders only got 3 goals, those were 2 monster points! All and all, he was a colossal reason in the win on Sunday! Incredible work Captain! Keep it up!

2nd) So I must give the 2^nd place nod to the Stone Hands very own Eddie Long aka Big Ed! Big Ed’s presence was important Last Sunday, using that big body to block multiple shots all game long, getting into passing lanes, and breaking up plays throughout the game. Big Ed also got some good looks on the net but couldn’t get one home. Overall, though, he was a big reason for his team’s success and contributed to his team’s 1^st win of the season. Commendable job, Sir Ed!

3rd) for our 3^rd place slot, we finish off with a new defensive player this season! Stephen Ritz! Now, Ritz has always been a forward throughout his SSBHL career. However, I have been seeing some remarkable success as a defensive player for Ritz! He has been able to hold the defensive line, keep balls in play, and block shots and break up plays! He is looking like a new man in his new position and has been thriving in his new role as a defenseman and looks to keep his success going against the undefeated Spiders! Impressive work man!

Incredible Goaltending!

1st) As a Goalie, I might be a bit biased… But last Sunday there was some seriously great goaltending in all the games! I thought everyone did an excellent job overall! But I can only award the top 3 guys! #1 is obviously Nick Bonofiglio! Now, it is a big deal what Nick did, Nick absolutely slammed the door shut on the PitBull’s last week, relinquishing not a single goal against him! Shutout performance! Nick Faced 32 shots and stopped all of them! Bombs from the point? Nicks got it, odd man rush? Saved by Nick, Deflection opportunity? Nope, not beating Nick! It cannot get much better than that! I think its safe to assume Nick is 100% back to full form and is looking to keep his team in a playoff spot! Overall, just insane work Nick and you should be proud of yourself, and your teammates should appreciate the effort you put in! Excellent work!

2nd) Coming into the #2 position and well earned is the Spiders Dan Harding! Harding Faced a volley of relentless offense from the Smokey Joes that threw everything they could at him including the kitchen sink! Facing 64 Shots! Dan certainly had his work cutout for him and earned his contract last Sunday haha. Stopping 62 of them and earning a delectable .969 % Dan did what he could to help his team get the win and keep the undefeated streak alive. Though, His linemates did an excellent job limiting the high danger chances from Swan and Aidan, Dan was important in his team victory last Sunday and looks to keep that going into next week vs. the number 1 goal scorer in the league, B-mac! Well, done!

3rd) In 3^rd this week is the Smokey Joes Goalie Paul Mendonca aka Panda! Panda has been so consistent all season long! Playing solid games and always giving his team an opportunity to earn points in every match! Paul squared up against the unbeaten Spiders who have had there way with most goalies all season long! Paul limited them to only 3 goals on 34 shots! Earning a cool .912%! Paul also had a disgusting highlight real save on one of the best goal scorers in the league on the blocker side! What looked like a sure goal was turned away by Paul and J-mac just looked to the ground in disbelief! Overall man, incredible game played! Keep that up!

Additional credit!

Steve O’Brein of the Spiders had some marvelous Defensive play in his game on Sunday! Sprinting the full length of the court at times to break up some big plays! As did Josh Charmatz!

Brad Wall and Kevin Sawyer, both goalies also played very solid games! And were both in the 900% area and had a great goalie duel against one another and held their own!

Rob Crocker was a wall of defense Sunday and blocked so many shots and welcomed it! Screaming “OH BABY!” when hit by multiple slapshots! Not sure if Rob is a sadist who enjoys pain, or a madman on a defensive mission but overall, he has the heart of a lion!

Standings so far…

1st) Spiders: 6-0-0 / 12 Points / 37 GF / 15 GA / +22 GD

2nd) Smokey Joes: 4-2-0 / 8 Points / 38 GF / 20 GA / +18 GD

3rd) Hooligans: 3-3-0 / 6 Points / 39 GF / 31 GA / +8 GD

4th) PitBulls: 3-3-0 / 6 Points / 24 GF / 37 GA / -13 GD

5th) Stone Hands: 1-2-3 / 5 Points / 36 GF / 44 GA / -8 GD

6th) Hawks: 1-5-0 / 2 points/ 21 GF / 48 GA / -27 GD

Upcoming Games…

10/6/2024 - Hooligans at Spiders (9am Weymouth) (Key matchup B-Mac Vs J-Mac)

10/6/2024 – PitBulls at Hawks (10:30am Weymouth) (Key Matchup Brad Wall Vs Manny)

10/6/2024 – Stone Hands at Smokey Joes (12:00pm Weymouth) (Rob Crocker Vs Gianni)

Let Us Please shoot to clean it up this week guys, really want to see some better sportsman ship and solid all-around gameplay.

See you all Sunday!

-DJH