Good afternoon SSBHL League!

Hope we all had a great Memorial Day weekend! Thank you to those who still made the scheduled games! Always appreciate good attendance!

With week 9 completed and behind us, we now move into our last week of the regular season! It’s pretty amazing how quickly the Spring Season went by! It feels like it just started!

We now know the playoff bound teams as well after last week! And I just want to personally thank the Pitbulls players for there continued effort to show up and play every game despite a hard season, I truly appreciate the effort and heart to keep playing despite a difficult run. I truly hope you still had fun this season and look forward to seeing where the players all place in the Fall season!

Thank you to the Spiders who just came up shy this season! You guys kept in the hunt all the way up until the very end and never gave up! Great season to you boys!

And congratulations to the Playoff contenders Hooligans, Smokey Joes, Stone Hands, and Beavers. Looking forward to seeing how it all shakes up in the playoffs and seeing who comes out on top! It should be a fun run! Let’s all keep in mind as well that its only a game, and even though it’s the playoffs, it isn’t the NHL lol. So, keep it light hearted, keep it fun, no nonsense please and lets finish up strong! Lets jump into weeks 9 top performances

Offensive onslaughts

Aiden Lovett Lights It Up: 5-Goal Performance Leads Stone Hands Over Beavers

In a dominant offensive showcase, Aiden Lovett of the Stone Hands delivered a performance to remember, netting five goals in a commanding win over the Beavers. Lovett was unstoppable from the opening whistle, showcasing his elite scoring instincts and earning top star honors of the game.

Two of Lovett’s five goals came shorthanded, proving he's not just dangerous at even strength. His ability to capitalize under pressure turned momentum swings in favor of the Stone Hands, deflating the Beavers’ power play attempts.

Highlights of the night included a pair of perfectly timed one-timers that left the goaltender frozen, a sharp-angle snipe that found daylight from an improbable position, and a gritty rebound goal following a partial breakaway — a testament to Lovett's hustle and nose for the net.

With this explosive outing, Lovett continues to cement his place as one of the top offensive threats in the league. The Stone Hands will look to ride this wave of firepower into their next matchup, with Lovett leading the charge.

Swan Soars in Must-Win Thriller for Smokey Joes

In a game that could have made or broken their playoff hopes, the Smokey Joes found their spark in none other than their captain, Matt Swan. The veteran forward delivered a masterclass performance, notching three goals and two assists for a five-point night that secured a crucial win and kept the Joes’ postseason dreams alive.

Swan wasted no time making an impact, ripping a blistering wrist shot past the opposing goalie right off a clean faceoff win from linemate Thomas. The goal ignited the bench and set the tone for what would become a dominant offensive display.

He followed up with a gritty rebound goal from the slot, showing his knack for being in the right place at the right time. But Swan wasn’t done. He capped off the hat trick with a slick finish late in the 2^nd, while also setting up two more tallies with crisp, heads-up passing that kept the defense guessing all night.

Beyond the points, Swan showed why he wears the “C,” contributing with relentless backchecking and smart defensive zone play that helped shut down any late comeback attempts.

With the win, the Smokey Joes clinch a vital spot in the playoffs—and if Swan keeps playing like this, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.

Captain Steve Wilde Leads Stone Hands with 4-Goal Showcase Against Beavers

In a dominant offensive performance, Steve Wilde, captain of the Stone Hands, led his team to a decisive victory over the Beavers with an impressive four-goal night that left fans and teammates buzzing.

Wilde wasted no time setting the tone early in the first period. With sharp instincts and relentless pressure, he stripped the ball from Cookson behind the net, quickly wrapping it around and tucking it past the goalie on the far side for the opening goal. That play not only gave the Stone Hands the lead, but also energized the bench and signaled what was to come.

In the second period, Wilde continued his tear. First, he crashed the net, scooped up his own rebound, and buried it through traffic for his second of the night. Minutes later, he capitalized again—this time with quick hands and killer focus—snatching a mid-air deflection in front and firing it point-blank into the back of the net.

Wilde capped off his scoring run with another goal later in the game, sealing his four-goal performance and securing the win for the Stone Hands. His leadership and offensive firepower were on full display, reminding everyone why he wears the ‘C’.

With performances like this, Steve Wilde is making a strong case as one of the league’s top offensive threats—and a clutch captain when it matters most.

Defensive Defenseman

Kinger Clamps Down as Stone Hands Sink the Beavers

In a dominant defensive showcase, Eric Kinger of the Stone Hands delivered a performance that left the Beavers gasping for space—and answers. From the opening faceoff, Kinger brought an unmatched intensity that swallowed up the Beavers’ offensive efforts in the Stone Hands' zone.

All night long, Kinger was a shadow on every ball carrier, rushing with tireless energy and smothering any attempt to set up a play. His relentless backchecking and non-stop pressure threw the Beavers off their rhythm, stifling their usual offensive flow and forcing rushed decisions and turnovers.

“Kinger’s energy just drowned them,” one teammate said postgame. “They couldn’t get anything going with him on the floor.”

While his defensive dominance set the tone, Kinger also chipped in offensively with two key assists—proving he can be just as dangerous creating plays as he is shutting them down. It was a complete game from one of the league’s most dependable blue-collar players.

In a matchup that was expected to be tight, Kinger’s suffocating presence became the difference-maker, anchoring the Stone Hands to a convincing victory and leaving the Beavers frustrated, flustered, and firmly in the rearview.

Stephen Ritz Shines in Two-Way Performance for the Hooligans

In a dominant performance on both ends of the floor, Stephen Ritz proved to be the backbone of the Hooligans' success in their latest ball hockey matchup. Known for his defensive prowess, Ritz elevated his game with a complete effort that included key plays in all three zones.

Ritz opened the scoring with a perfectly placed wrist shot from the point, setting the tone early for the Hooligans. His offensive presence didn’t stop there — midway through the second period, he crashed the slot and capitalized on a deflection, burying the loose ball low glove side to extend the lead.

Beyond his offensive contributions, Ritz was rock-solid on the back end. He broke up several dangerous rushes with smart stick work and positioning, and wasn’t afraid to sacrifice the body, coming up with multiple shot blocks during crucial moments of the game.

It was a standout performance from the dependable blueliner, who continues to be a key piece of the Hooligans' success this season.

Defensive Masterclass: Ben Lotzkar Leads Smokey Joes to Victory

In a gritty showdown between the Smokey Joes and the Spiders, it wasn’t flashy offense or highlight-reel goals that stole the show—it was the lockdown defensive play of Ben Lotzkar. The veteran blueliner was nothing short of spectacular in his own end, anchoring the Smokey Joes’ defense with poise, commitment, and a fearless edge.

While the scoreboard didn’t reflect his name, Lotzkar's impact was undeniable. The Spiders threw everything they had at the Joes, but Lotzkar was a wall, breaking up multiple high-danger chances and clogging lanes with textbook positioning. His defensive instincts were on full display, frustrating the Spiders’ top attackers shift after shift.

Perhaps the defining moment of the game came in the first period, when Lotzkar laid it all on the line, sliding in front of a booming slapshot that had goal written all over it. The block drew roars from the bench and set the tone for the kind of sacrifice the Joes would need to pull off the win.

In total, Lotzkar registered an eye-popping 11 blocked shots—each one a testament to his commitment to team-first hockey. Though he didn’t tally a point, his performance was a defensive clinic and a key reason the Smokey Joes walked away with the W.

Ben Lotzkar may not make the scoresheet headlines, but on this night, he was the heart of the defense—and the backbone of a big win.

Panda Stands Tall in Net as Hooligans Ride Goalie Heroics to Victory

In a gritty showdown between the Hooligans and the Pitbulls, one name stood above the rest—Paul "Panda" Mendonca. The veteran goaltender was a brick wall between the pipes, turning away 29 of 31 shots to backstop the Hooligans to a hard-fought win.

Known for his calm under pressure and lightning-quick reflexes, Panda delivered a rock-solid performance with a .935 save percentage, frustrating the Pitbulls’ offense all game long. Whether it was traffic in front or cross-crease one-timers, nothing rattled the netminder.

The defining moment came in the third period when the Pitbulls threatened to close the gap. Flex player Andy, known for his deadly finishing in tight, found himself alone in front with a golden opportunity. But Panda, locked in and laser-focused, slid across to make a massive point-blank stop, robbing Andy and extinguishing the momentum.

With the win, the Hooligans continue their strong campaign—and they have their goaltender to thank. When asked post-game about his standout performance, teammates echoed a simple message: “When Panda’s in net, we play with confidence. He gives us a chance to win every single game.”

It was another night of elite goaltending from Paul Mendonca—a performance worthy of top billing.

Matt Arsenault Shines in Stellar Goaltending Performance Despite Pitbulls' Loss

In what was arguably his best performance of the season, goaltender Matt Arsenault stood tall between the pipes for the Pitbulls, delivering a standout effort in a hard-fought game. Despite the team falling short on the scoreboard and officially being eliminated from playoff contention, Arsenault’s play gave the Pitbulls every chance to compete.

Facing a relentless offensive onslaught, Arsenault turned aside 35 of 39 shots, posting an impressive .897 save percentage. His composure, reflexes, and determination were on full display as he repeatedly shut the door on high-quality scoring chances and kept the game within reach.

While the final outcome didn’t favor the Pitbulls, Arsenault’s performance was a bright spot—a testament to his work ethic, focus, and commitment to his team. Even with the season winding down and postseason hopes out of reach, Matt gave 100% from the opening faceoff to the final whistle.

Games like this highlight why Arsenault is one of the top-performing goaltenders in the league. He brought intensity, heart, and elite-level goaltending to the rink—and although the win slipped away, his efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

Big Nick Backstops Smokey Joes to Playoff Berth

In a high-stakes matchup against the relentless Spiders, Smokey Joes’ star goaltender Nick Bonofiglio came up massive when his team needed him most. With the playoffs on the line, "Big Nick" stood tall between the pipes, turning aside 33 of 37 shots and posting a gritty .892 save percentage in a thrilling 5-4 victory.

From the opening faceoff, it was clear the Spiders came hungry, throwing everything they had at the net. But Bonofiglio was locked in, weathering the storm with poise and determination. While the Spiders managed to break through a few times, Nick never cracked under pressure—always responding with a clutch save when it mattered most.

With the win, the Smokey Joes officially clinch a playoff spot, thanks in large part to Bonofiglio’s heroics. It was a performance that not only defined the game but showcased why Nick is one of the top goalies in the league.

When the stakes are high, Big Nick shows up bigger.

Standings at the moment…

1)       Hooligans: 6-3-0 / 12 Points / 58 GF / 45 GA / +13 GD (projected Seed 1)

2)       Smokey Joes: 6-3-0 / 12 Points / 56 GF / 45 GA / + 11 GD (projected Seed 2)

3)       Stone Hands: 6-3-0 / 12 Points / 65 GF / 53 GA / + 12 GD (projected Seed 3)

4)       Beavers: 5-3-1 / 11 Points / 57 GF / 57 GA / 0 GD (projected Seed 4)

5)       Spiders: 4-4-1 / 9 Points / 44 GF / 44 GA / 0 GD

6)       PitBulls: 0-8-1 / 1 Point / 29 GF / 65 GA / -36 GD

Upcoming Schedule…

6-1-25: PitBulls at Beavers (9:00am) (key matchup) Tim Vs Jordan

6-1-25: Smokey Joes at Stone hands (10:30am) (Key matchup) Nick B Vs Manny

6-1-25: Hooligans at Spiders (12pm) (Key matchup) Buck Vs Derek

Also Final note, Please don’t forget to vote in the player awards! It means a lot to the league to reward players on there performances and achievements! DON’T FORGET!

Thank you all and see you for the final week of regular season!

-Dan H