Playoffs Week Two: Match-up Preview

Crosby's (2) vs. Pirates (4)

Captains John George (Crosby's) Andrew McDonald (Pirates) 2008-09 Season Crosby's: 9-8 (38-35) GF: 83 GA: 88 Pirates: 7-10 (34-37) GF: 87 GA: 85 Top 5 Scorers • Roy McDonald (Crosby's): 36 Goals, 15 Assists, 51 Points • 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 • Matt Wierchowski (Crosby's): 13 Goals, 23 Assists, 36 points Head-to-Head Week 4: Pirates 3, Crosby's 0 Week 8: Crosby's 3, Pirates 2 Week 13: Pirates 3, Crosby's 2 Strengths Roy McDonald/Matt Wierchowski Connection: The Crosby's have a roster filled with talented players, but this is true; Arguably, no two players in the league have a better two-man connection than Roy McDonald and Matt Wierchowski. The two combined for 49 Goals and 38 Assists this year for the Crosby's. These two players need to be stopped, or the Crosby's will advance. Balance: The Crosby's have a balance of offensive and defense. Roy McDonald and Matt Wierchowski lead the offense, and the defensive unit of John George, Dan Drane, and Buddy Doyle add toughness. These five players will be a big part in the game for the Crosby's. 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 five of their last six, since acquiring the likes of Brian Hreha, Shane Lucas, and Drew Hruska. This includes their playoff win against the Hawks. They seem to be enjoying playing with each other, as they’ve outscored opponents 41-29 in those six weeks. Weaknesses Talented Depth: Although the Crosby's bring plenty of players to the rink every weekend, they lack a variety of talented depth. Besides McDonald, Doyle, Drane, George, and Wierchowski, they need players such as Ben Bobick, Mike Cullen, and others to step up in the playoffs. Secondary Scoring: We all know about the Crosby's two-headed monster in Matt Wierchowski and Roy McDonald, but after that, goals don't come easy. No other offensive player has more than Ben Bobick's six goals for the Crosby's. If they want to advance, their secondary offensive unit is going to need to put the puck in the net. 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. A fact is that no player on this team has been past the second round. Will this be the year for all of these players? - - - - - Jets (1) vs. Bishop Boyle (6) Captains Zak Campbell (Jets) Brian Grise (Bishop Boyle Lancers) 2008-09 Season Jets: 13-4 (45-27) GF: 104 GA: 61 Bishop Boyle: 7-10 (31-39) GF: 59 GA: 64 Top 5 Scorers • Brian Barca (Jets): 35 Goals, 31 Assists, 66 Points • Zak Campbell (Jets): 15 Goals, 17 Assists, 32 Points • Brian Grise (Boyle): 17 Goals, 12 Assists, 29 Points • Nick Siniawski (Boyle): 14 Goals, 12 Assists, 26 Points • Zack Wahal (Jets): 15 Goals, 10 Assists, 25 Points Head-to-Head Week 2: Jets 3, Boyle 0 Week 6: Jets 3, Boyle 2 Week 11: Boyle 3, Jets 1 Week 16: Jets 3, Boyle 1 Strengths Talent: Brian Barca, Zak Campbell, Zack Wahal, Mark Fetsko, Tom Fetsko. These players are all so talented and bring the Jets to a number one seed, with a 13-4 record. There's a reason why they scored a league leading 104 goals and gave up 64 goals, also leading the league. Chemistry/Experience: There is chemistry for everyone on the team. Everyone knows where the other is on the ice, and it shows. Also, the Jets won the Championship last year. Players Zak Campbell, Brian Barca, and Mark Fetsko have all been there before. 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 Pressure to Repeat: The Jets won the FHL Championship last year. Zak Campbell, Brian Barca, and Mark Fetsko led them last year to the win. They are in first place entering the playoffs with a bye. This team is expected to repeat, and they have to take on the pressure knowing they're the favorites and everyone is coming at them. Bye-Week: It's hard to think of a weakness for this team, but many of the Jets players haven't played in two or three weeks. They just had a bye-week, and during Week 17 of the season, the Jets brought only four to the ice. They may be a little rusty for the first few games of the series, and that would be a chance for Boyle to attack. 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 against the Jets. Match-up: The Lancers have a 1-3 record against the Jets this season. They always play them tough, but it never turns out in their favor. A lot of experts are saying that Boyle has a good shot to take down the Jets, but it doesn't look like it. The likes of Brian Barca, Zak Campbell, the Fetsko's, and more are making the Jets a tough mountain to climb in the Playoffs.