Playoff Week One: Match-Up Preview

Pirates (4) vs. Hawks (5)

Captains Andrew McDonald (Pirates) Matt Gori (Hawks) 2008-09 Season Pirates: 7-10 (34-37) GF: 87 GA: 85 Hawks: 7-10 (30-37) GF: 54 GA: 85 Top 5 Scorers • Tony Bonacorso (Pirates): 28 Goals, 21 Assists, 49 Points • Andrew McDonald (Pirates): 21 Goals, 18 Assists, 39 Points • Drew Hruska (Pirates): 18 Goals, 19 Assists, 37 Points • Gary Gerson (Hawks): 19 Goals, 5 Assists, 24 Points • Jeff Rogers (Hawks): 7 Goals, 14 Assists, 21 points • Brian Hreha (Pirates): 9 Goals, 12 Assists, 21 points • Ryan Cleary (Pirates): 11 Goals, 10 Assists, 21 points Head-to-Head Week 2: Hawks 3, Pirates 0 Week 6: Hawks 3, Pirates 1 Week 11: Hawks 3, Pirates 1 Week 15: Pirates 3, Hawks 0 Strengths Offensive Depth: With five players scoring over twenty points [Bonacorso (49), McDonald (39), Hruska (37), Cleary (21), Hreha (21)], the Pirates have a great variety of depth, including skilled scorers. For the Pirates, scoring can come from anywhere. Chemistry: The Pirates come into this week winning four of their last five, since acquiring the likes of Brian Hreha, Shane Lucas, and Drew Hruska. They seem to be enjoying playing with each other, as they’ve outscored opponents 33-24 in those five weeks. Toughness: The Hawks are filled with a tough, gritty lineup, which consists of Jeff Pingor, Jeff Rogers, Ryan Marino, and Gary Gerson. These players are tough to play against, and even if they lose, they will make it tough on you. Experience/Chemistry: Last year, Jeff Rogers and Matt Gori were members of the Hawks, which made it to the FHL Championship. Defenseman Dan Rojtas won the Championship with the Jets. These three players can be leaders on the ice and can lead the Hawks to victory. Weaknesses Defensive Depth: Only three players are listed as defensemen on the Pirates roster. Shane Lucas, Joe Rogers, Mr. Roy McDonald III are said to not have the toughness and durability to last deep into the playoffs. If someone doesn't step up for the Pirates, they may be forced to try to outscore teams, and that won't work out for the Buccos. Experience: Experience may be a concern for the Bucs, as not one of their players has ever been to a FHL Championship. This is the first year for Tony Bonacorso, Shane Lucas, Ryan Cleary, and Roy McDonald III. Andrew McDonald, Drew Hruska, Joe Rogers, Brian Hreha, and Neil Murray were all eliminated from the playoffs last season. Is this team built for the playoffs? Momentum: The Hawks have lost five of their last six weeks, with their only victory coming in the final week of the season against Bishop Boyle due to forfeit. In those five losses, the Hawks TOTALED 10 goals. They clearly do not have momentum going into the playoffs. Offensive Balance: The Hawks do not have anyone with more than 30 Points; only two over 20. Gary Gerson has 19 goals, and Jeff Pingor has 11. After that, no one has more than ten goals. In the playoffs, a team cannot depend on one or two scorers. Someone is going to have to step up for the Hawks in order to win the series. - - - - - Kings (3) vs. Bishop Boyle (6) Captains Jamie Zelena (Kings) Brian Grise (Bishop Boyle Lancers) 2008-09 Season Kings: 8-9 (34-37) GF: 81 GA: 73 Bishop Boyle: 7-10 (31-39) GF: 59 GA: 64 Top 5 Scorers • Chad Kanz (Kings): 35 Goals, 19 Assists, 54 Points • Adam Cristallini (Kings): 20 Goals, 14 Assists, 34 Points • Brian Grise (Boyle): 17 Goals, 12 Assists, 29 Points • Nick Siniawski (Boyle): 14 Goals, 12 Assists, 26 Points • Bill Seaman (Kings): 3 Goals, 12 Assists, 15 Points • Jay Cherep (Kings): 6 Goals, 9 Assists, 15 Points Head-to-Head Week 4: Kings 3, Boyle 2 Week 8: Boyle 3, Kings 1 Week 13: Kings 3, Boyle 1 Strengths Chad Kanz/Bill Seaman Combo: Last year's MVP Chad Kanz scored 35 goals this season. He led the Hawks to the FHL Championship last year. With offensive talent around him, Kanz is a very dangerous player for the Kings. Bill Seaman is an elder in the FHL, and possibly the league's best defenseman. Seaman would love nothing more than to win a championship. This season he's scored 3 goals and added 12 assists, but those stats don't compare to his value to the Kings. Role Players: The Kings had the second best +/- rating in the FHL, as a +8. This is due to the role players that the Kings have. Captain Jamie Zelena, and Pat Farrell have kept this team strong defensively. Adam Cristallini and Jay Cherep have taken some offensive pressure of Kanz. For the Kings to win, these role players are going to have to continue doing their jobs. Chemistry: The Bishop Boyle Lancers are together all of the time. Brian Grise, Dustin Hess, Dave Gilson, and the Siniawski's all have the on and off ice chemistry. Expect this team to be very calm, very poised going into the playoffs. Strength/Toughness: The Lancers have only allowed 64 goals this season, which is good enough for second in the league. Dave Gilson is a shut-down defender and Gabe Gerson along with both Nick and Zack Siniawski can be great defenders if they wanted. This team could be a tough team to go up against in the Playoffs, as defense is one of the most important things to a team. Weaknesses Confidence: A few weeks back, the Kings were in prime position to lock up the number two seed, securing a first round bye. They went on to lose the last three weeks, falling to the number three seed. Their condifence has to be at an all time low. This team will have to rally around something in order to win in the playoffs. Talented Depth: The Kings have Kanz, Seaman, Cristallini, and more. But, do these players have the endurance to last in the FHL Playoffs? And will the bench players be able to last against other team's top talent? The role player strength has been great for the Kings during the entire season, but they need some players to step up and play their best hockey if they want to advance. Scoring: Bishop Boyle has scored only 59 goals this year, which was second to last in the league. Brian Grise, the captain of Boyle, leads them with 17 goals. Next is Nick Siniawski with 14. After that, Boyle statistically doesn't have another scorer. We all know Zack Siniawski and Dustin Hess can score, but neither have this season. These players are going to have to step up and score if Boyle wants to compete this season. Confidence: The Lancers had a chance this past week to finish anywhere from second place, to dead last. They finished in dead last, facing the Kings, which is the worst possible scenario for this team. Confidence may be an issue for Boyle.