Top Players of the Week & The Playoff Grind Begins!

Good afternoon, SSBHL community!

With dark clouds looming over the rink all day long, every team came ready for rain and chaos. Fortunately, two out of three games went off without a hitch, and only the third period of the final matchup got hit with a downpour. Even then, we powered through, refused to fold, and completed Week 8 without any rainouts or cancellations. That’s some serious dedication right there.

This was an important week — playoff hopes are dangling by a thread for several teams, and every single point is critical at this stage. The air was tense, rosters were thin, and several teams had to battle without key players. But with just two games remaining in the regular season, it’s officially crunch time. Every shift matters now, and every mistake could be the difference between a playoff berth and an early offseason.

Also, keep an eye out for our upcoming Yearly Awards voting email! You’ll soon get a link to cast your votes for this season’s best. Quick reminder: don’t text or email your votes — only votes submitted through the official link will count.

Alright, let’s dive into the Week 8 results and see who rose to the occasion!

🏆 Game Results

Stick Figures vs. Spiders

Final: 9–6 Stick Figures

After a shaky start to the season, the Stick Figures have turned it around in a massive way. They came into this matchup against the Spiders looking sharp, confident, and ready to prove they belong in the playoff mix — and that’s exactly what they did.

Right from the opening drop, the Sticks were flying. Their aggressive forecheck was relentless, pinning the Spiders deep and forcing turnovers that quickly led to quality scoring chances. The Stick Figures jumped out to a 3–2 lead in the first, then kept the momentum rolling in the second, outscoring the Spiders 2–1 to stretch their advantage. By the time the third period rolled around, they weren’t done — the floodgates opened for four more Stick Figures goals.

Despite a few late pushes by the Spiders, the Sticks closed out the game strong with a 9–6 victory. Captain Jeff Beattie summed it up perfectly afterward, laughing in the post-game presser:

“The whole team was moving like an invasive species — spreading fast and taking over everything in sight.”

It’s safe to say the Stick Figures are officially back.

Smokey Joes vs. Hooligans

Final: 6–3 Smokey Joes

Short-staffed but never short on heart, Smokey Joe’s once again proved they’re never out of the fight. Even with a bare bench, the Joes brought nothing but grit, spirit, and sheer determination to this one.

Both teams came out trading punches early, finishing the first period tied 2–2. But the second period is where things started to tilt — the Joes found an extra gear and broke through with a go-ahead goal, heading into the third up by one.

Then came the exclamation point — the Joes emptied the tank and exploded for three more in the final frame while holding the Hooligans to a single tally. With only one sub and several players logging marathon shifts, this win took guts and endurance in equal measure.

The victory keeps Smokey Joe’s playoff hopes alive and shows once again why you can never count this group out. They don’t go quietly.

Mustangs vs. Stone Hands

Final: 8–7 Stone Hands (Shootout)

For the first time in SSBHL history, a game was cut short by a storm — and what a wild ride it was before the skies opened up.

Both teams were battling with depleted lineups, but the intensity was sky-high from the start. The Mustangs grabbed a narrow 2–1 lead after the first, but the Stone Hands exploded in the second period, potting five goals and taking control at 6–4.

The Mustangs weren’t done though — they roared back in the third with three quick goals to reclaim a 7–6 edge. That’s when the skies unleashed a downpour. Normally, play would stop immediately for safety, but with conditions rapidly worsening and no break in sight, the league decided to end things with a rare shootout finish.

In dramatic fashion, the Stone Hands came out on top, sealing an 8–7 victory. A tough loss for the Mustangs — their first of the season — but a huge confidence boost for the Stone Hands heading into the final stretch.

🔥 Offensive Attackers

🥇 #1 – Steve “The Wild Man” Wilde (Stone Hands, Captain)

It’s been a turbulent season for the captain of the Stone Hands — constant roster juggling, injuries, dropouts, and vacations have made every Sunday a new challenge. Add in new fatherhood, and it’s been a juggling act few could handle. But this week, Steve Wilde reminded everyone exactly why he’s earned his nickname.

Facing the undefeated Mustangs, Wilde went full throttle from the first whistle. He found the back of the net in all three periods — once in the first, twice in the second, and again in the third to force the eventual shootout. And when the game came down to one final shot, he delivered the dagger, going backhand shelf — a perfect tuck above the pad and below the blocker.

Five points, pure leadership, and an absolute statement performance. After weeks of quiet frustration, Wilde might have just lit the spark that will drive the Stone Hands into the playoffs with momentum.

🥈 #2 – Joe Melason (Flex Player, Mustangs)

When the Mustangs called up newly added flex player Joe Melason to help fill their empty bench, they got way more than they bargained for. Joe came in hot and wasted no time making an impression.

He opened the game with two quick goals, immediately setting the tone for the Mustangs’ offense. His confidence and speed carried through the entire match — scoring again in the second period, adding an assist, and then burying two more in the third to temporarily give his team the lead. Even in the shootout, he was the lone Mustang to find the back of the net, forcing an extra round before falling just short.

Five points in his SSBHL debut is no small feat. Melason showcased a lethal mix of scoring touch, awareness, and poise — a player who can slot into any lineup and instantly make an impact. Expect to see his name called up by more captains very soon.

🥉 #3 – Thomas Schindler (Stick Figures)

Thomas Schindler showed up on Sunday with a single goal in mind: score by any means necessary — and he meant it literally.

Early in the first period, Schindler netted his opening goal off a deflection from his own face (yes, you read that right), proving that dedication sometimes hurts. From there, he kept pouring it on, adding a power-play goal in the second and two more beauties in the third for a total of four goals on the day.

In his first season away from the Smokey Joes, Schindler has adapted quickly and found his rhythm as a top-tier offensive threat. His ability to create chaos around the crease and finish under pressure has been key to the Stick Figures’ recent surge. If he keeps this pace, expect him to be one of the most dangerous forwards heading into the playoffs.

🛡️ Defensive Gurus

🥇 #1 – Matt Connolly (Mustangs)

Despite battling through an ankle injury and a depleted roster, Connolly turned in an absolute gem from the blue line. Acting as both a defensive anchor and de facto captain for the day, he stepped up in every possible way.

Connolly racked up three goals and one assist, including two clutch goals in the third period that briefly put the Mustangs ahead. He was calm under pressure, controlled the pace of play, and constantly broke up key rushes before they could develop. Even as the rain poured down and conditions worsened, Connolly’s leadership and composure stood tall.

It was one of those performances that doesn’t just show up on the scoresheet — it lifts the entire bench. Grit, leadership, and pure heart from one of the league’s most reliable D-men.

🥈 #2 – Steve O’Brien (Stick Figures)

The O’Brien name continues to be synonymous with relentless effort and smart hockey. This week, Steve O’Brien was an absolute wall on defense for the Stick Figures.

He was a difference-maker all game, using his quick feet and strong reads to break up rush after rush. Whenever the Spiders tried to generate momentum, O’Brien was there — intercepting passes, clearing rebounds, and turning defense into offense in a flash. On top of that, he added two critical assists, showing his ability to transition play smoothly out of his own zone.

O’Brien’s energy and awareness have been a cornerstone of the Stick Figures’ recent winning streak. His blend of speed, positioning, and discipline make him one of the most dependable blueliners in the league.

🥉 #3 – Max Schraut (Smokey Joes)

“Larger than life” doesn’t just describe Max’s size — it describes his presence on the rink. With the Joes missing nearly half their lineup, Max took it upon himself to carry the team on his back.

Logging a full 51 minutes with almost no rest, he was everywhere — winning battles in the corners, blocking shots, and setting up plays from the back end. Several of those shot blocks looked painful enough to make the crowd wince, but Max never hesitated. He played like a warrior, showing exactly what it means to put your body on the line for your teammates.

Despite battling through back issues and nagging injuries, Max continues to be the heart and soul of Smokey Joes’ defensive effort. His leadership and grit were instrumental in that big win against the Hooligans.

🥅 Tremendous Tending

🥇 #1 – Andy Godfrey (Smokey Joes)

Love him or hate him, Andy Godfrey came to play last week. Facing 38 shots, the outspoken goaltender silenced critics with a stellar .921 save percentage and a season-saving win over the Hooligans.

After a few rough outings, Andy found his groove again — battling through screens, handling rebounds cleanly, and flashing the glove at key moments to keep his team ahead. His fiery personality may ruffle feathers, but when he’s dialed in, he’s one of the toughest goalies in the league to beat.

If the Joes are going to push into the playoffs, they’ll need this version of Godfrey to show up every week.

🥈 #2 – Dan Harding (Mustangs)

Although the Mustangs fell short in the shootout, Harding was nothing short of heroic between the pipes. Facing 60 shots, he stopped 53 of them, posting a .883 save percentage in a high-speed, high-chaos game that saw more odd-man rushes than usual.

At times, Harding had to fight off second and third chances, but his ability to make the initial saves kept the Mustangs alive. His veteran poise and ability to read the game have been key to the Mustangs’ dominance this season, and though this one slipped away, it was hardly due to his lack of effort.

Expect Harding to use this as motivation heading into the final two games — he knows playoff hockey requires laser focus and steady control, and he’s up for the challenge.

🥉 #3 – Manny DeBettencourt (Hooligans)

Quietly consistent all season long, Manny DeBettencourt continues to be the backbone of the Hooligans’ lineup. Facing 42 shots and stopping 36 of them for a .857 save percentage, Manny kept the game close even as his team struggled to generate offense.

His reads were sharp, his rebound control was solid, and his communication on the back end kept his team organized under pressure. Opposing captain Matt Swan even told him postgame,

“You were great today — the score should’ve been 20–3, but you kept stopping us.”

High praise from the league’s top scorer says it all. Manny’s steady hand gives his team a chance every week, and he’ll look to keep that rolling as the Hooligans face the Spiders next Sunday.

📊 Standings So Far

🗓️ Upcoming Games – Week 9 (Sunday, Sept 28, 2025)

• 9:00 AM – Stone Hands at Stick Figures
  Key Matchup: Gianni vs. Dan Gately

• 10:30 AM – Hooligans at Spiders
  Key Matchup: Manny D. vs. Nick B.

• 12:00 PM – Smokey Joes at Mustangs
  Key Matchup: Matt Swan vs. Aiden

Let’s hope for clear skies and another great week of hockey ahead! Thanks everyone — see you Sunday at the rink.

– Dan H. 🏒