Week Seven: 1/30/10 - Preview
The FHL Standings after 6 Weeks are as followed:
1) JETS: 5-1 (15-6)
2) MOOSE: 4-2 (15-11)
3) CROSBY'S: 4-2 (13-11)
4) BOYLE: 2-4 (10-12)
5) PIRATES: 2-4 (10-16)
6) KINGS: 1-5 (8 -15)
Kings: 1-5 (8-15) vs. Pirates: 2-4 (10-16)
In a match-up of the 5th and 6th place teams, the Kings and Pirates are squaring off in the early slate. The Kings are coming off a 3-0 sweep of the Jets, in which the Kings only allowed 3 contested goals in 3 games, but only scoring one, by Ryan Stottlemeyer. The Kings had chances to go up in the series in a game 1 shootout and game 2 overtime loss(1-0). After the series, Ryan Marino and Drew Hruska were dealt to the Crosby’s in exchange for Michael Stadelman and Jeremy Jones, Stadelman is expected to play. Meanwhile, the Pirates are stumbling still from a hard fought series against the Moose, in which they lost 3-2. Three of those games went to OT, one of which Ryan Cleary had the winner, along with 2 more goals and an assist on the day. Andrew McDonald also had 2 goals on the day, bringing his points total to 14(4th in the league). Tony Bonacorso is a game day decision with an upper-body injury. Buddy Doyle will be out again as a healthy scratch.
Cristallini Prediction: Pirates in 5
Moose: 4-2 (15-11) vs. Bishop Boyle: 2-4 (10-12)
By far the biggest upset of the season last week, the Catholic Crusaders are on high after sweeping the Crosby’s, as Brian Grise and Ben Bobick led the charge all day, scoring 6 of the team’s 7 total goals that day. They will look to continue to stay hot as they take on the gritty Moose, who surprisingly have played well without their Capt. Zack Siniawski and Mark Fetsko. The Moose have played some of the best hockey in the league so far, while Boyle has been up in down, but are starting to take some strides as a team. As for the Moose, if your name doesn’t start with a “J“, you didn’t score last week, as Jeff Pingor, Jake Laird, and Justin Gardner tallied goals. Pingor by all means, lit up the stat sheets with goals and penalties, too, as he led his team to a tough series win. Zack Siniawski is expected to be out again, but will be dressed.
Cristallini Prediction: Moose in 4
Jets: 5-1 (15-6) vs. Crosby's: 4-2 (13-11)
The Jets are once again, the Jets, as their league dominance continues through another campaign. They are sitting pretty atop the standings, and are doing it with the all around team effort. The Crosby’s however look for a while they would be challenging the Jets for this year’s crown, but after last week’s debacle against Boyle, there’s questions surrounding what this team in capable of. The Jets will be missing Zak Campbell, Brian Barca, and Bill Seaman, while the Crosby’s will be without Roy McDonald and Zack Wahal. Hopefully the Jets will be able to field a squad as their team attendance has been the lowest of any team in the FHL. The Crosby’s are hoping to possibly take advantage of that with new acquisitions Drew Hruska and Ryan Marino who were traded from the Kings. Seems like the Crosby’s will be able to quiet some critics.
Crosby’s in 4.
Goalie Report
Goalies this week will be Dave Gilson for 2 and Jamie Zelena in goal for the last series. Craig Hixon will not be available to play, but is not injured.
Last Week's Results:
Craig Hixon: 7-4 (33-24 Season)
Week’s Shootout results: Craig Hixon: 10/11
Weather Report
Temperatures and Wind like usual in Pittsburgh winters, it’s going to be really cold. High of 20°F.
Other News
• Adam Cristallini Predictions - 1/3 last week, 6/18 season.
Kings: 1-5 (8-15) vs. Pirates: 2-4 (10-16)
In a match-up of the 5th and 6th place teams, the Kings and Pirates are squaring off in the early slate. The Kings are coming off a 3-0 sweep of the Jets, in which the Kings only allowed 3 contested goals in 3 games, but only scoring one, by Ryan Stottlemeyer. The Kings had chances to go up in the series in a game 1 shootout and game 2 overtime loss(1-0). After the series, Ryan Marino and Drew Hruska were dealt to the Crosby’s in exchange for Michael Stadelman and Jeremy Jones, Stadelman is expected to play. Meanwhile, the Pirates are stumbling still from a hard fought series against the Moose, in which they lost 3-2. Three of those games went to OT, one of which Ryan Cleary had the winner, along with 2 more goals and an assist on the day. Andrew McDonald also had 2 goals on the day, bringing his points total to 14(4th in the league). Tony Bonacorso is a game day decision with an upper-body injury. Buddy Doyle will be out again as a healthy scratch.
Cristallini Prediction: Pirates in 5
Moose: 4-2 (15-11) vs. Bishop Boyle: 2-4 (10-12)
By far the biggest upset of the season last week, the Catholic Crusaders are on high after sweeping the Crosby’s, as Brian Grise and Ben Bobick led the charge all day, scoring 6 of the team’s 7 total goals that day. They will look to continue to stay hot as they take on the gritty Moose, who surprisingly have played well without their Capt. Zack Siniawski and Mark Fetsko. The Moose have played some of the best hockey in the league so far, while Boyle has been up in down, but are starting to take some strides as a team. As for the Moose, if your name doesn’t start with a “J“, you didn’t score last week, as Jeff Pingor, Jake Laird, and Justin Gardner tallied goals. Pingor by all means, lit up the stat sheets with goals and penalties, too, as he led his team to a tough series win. Zack Siniawski is expected to be out again, but will be dressed.
Cristallini Prediction: Moose in 4
Jets: 5-1 (15-6) vs. Crosby's: 4-2 (13-11)
The Jets are once again, the Jets, as their league dominance continues through another campaign. They are sitting pretty atop the standings, and are doing it with the all around team effort. The Crosby’s however look for a while they would be challenging the Jets for this year’s crown, but after last week’s debacle against Boyle, there’s questions surrounding what this team in capable of. The Jets will be missing Zak Campbell, Brian Barca, and Bill Seaman, while the Crosby’s will be without Roy McDonald and Zack Wahal. Hopefully the Jets will be able to field a squad as their team attendance has been the lowest of any team in the FHL. The Crosby’s are hoping to possibly take advantage of that with new acquisitions Drew Hruska and Ryan Marino who were traded from the Kings. Seems like the Crosby’s will be able to quiet some critics.
Crosby’s in 4.
Goalie Report
Goalies this week will be Dave Gilson for 2 and Jamie Zelena in goal for the last series. Craig Hixon will not be available to play, but is not injured.
Last Week's Results:
Craig Hixon: 7-4 (33-24 Season)
Week’s Shootout results: Craig Hixon: 10/11
Weather Report
Temperatures and Wind like usual in Pittsburgh winters, it’s going to be really cold. High of 20°F.
Other News
• Adam Cristallini Predictions - 1/3 last week, 6/18 season.
Week Six: 1/23/10 - Three Stars
Ryan Cleary
Pirates
3 Goals, 1 Assist, 4 Points
(Overtime Game Winning Goal)
Brian Grise
Bishop Boyle
4 Goals, 4 Points
(Shootout Game Winning Goal, Game Winning Goal)
Jeff Pingor
Moose
4 Goals, 4 Points
(2 Overtime Game Winning Goals)
The Journey of Drew Hruska
Drew Hruska started the 2007-08 FHL Season as the Captain of his own Franchise, called District Five (aka the Ducks). Hruska, a great athlete and hockey player, scored 31 goals, added 9 assists, totaling 40 points. 3rd in the league in goals and 8th in the league in points, Hruska had made a name for himself in the Franklin Hockey League. Although Hruska was one of the league’s top players, his team was dead last, with a 6-13 record, winning 28 out of a possible 74 individual games played. Hruska was fired as a Captain, and entered the 2008 FHL Draft. "I came in as a captain, and didn't like it," Hruska said. "Too much work. I'm a simple hockey player not a coach."
Being known as one of the league’s top talent, Jamie Zelena, the GM of the Kings, decided to draft Hruska with the 6th overall pick in the first round (2008 FHL Draft). Hruska’s stay as a King lasted just five weeks in the 2008-09 Season, as the Kings and the Hawks decided to make the biggest deal in FHL History. On January 10th, 2009, a blockbuster trade was completed which sent Hruska, along with Mark Zelena and Jeff Pingor, to the Hawks, in exchange for Chad Kanz and Justin Gardner. "The Kings and Hawks were both great teams, with great captains. I got traded for one of the greats, Chad Kanz, and I feel pretty good about that", said Hruska.
Hruska's stay with the Hawks lasted five more weeks, before another huge deal was announced. On the night of the trade deadline, the Hawks moved Hruska, Shane Lucas, and Brian Hreha to the Pirates for Jeff Rogers and Dan Rojtas. Hruska took no time to make his presence in a red uniform felt, scoring 5 goals and adding 2 assists in his first week, a 3-2 series loss to the Jets. From there, the Pirates got hot, winning four of the last five games, plus two games in the playoffs, putting themselves in the Championship game against the Jets. Hruska stated, "the Pirates had great chemistry. I hopped on and right off the bat I felt at home." Although they ended up losing in the Championship, Hruska's season ended with 18 goals (8th in League), 19 assists (4th), totaling a 6th best 37 points. Hruska's stay with the Pirates ended due to Andrew McDonald, the captain, franchising Tony Bonacorso.
In the 2009 FHL Draft, Hruska, expecting to be announced with one of the first round selections of the draft, had to wait a little longer, being drafted by the Kings once again, this time 9th overall. This season, Hruska has yet to score, while only recording one assist, resulting in this week's trade to the Crosby's. The Crosby's will be Hruska's fifth different team. With 78 career points, Hruska is 7th all time, and just 22 points away from the century mark. "What can I say, I love the game and I play hard, no matter what team I'm on." Hruska later added, "Was I shocked by my trades? Yeah, I mean being a top 10 scorer and getting traded. Not much you could say, but I have to prove every time I'm traded that it was a mistake to let me go, and that's my mindset every game." The trade deadline for this season has yet to be announced. Are Hruska's travels over? Will he be traded one, two, maybe even three times before this season ends? We'll just have to wait and find out.
Kings, Crosby's Agree on Trade
Shortly after being swept, the Kings (by the Jets) and Crosby's (by Bishop Boyle) have agreed on a four-player deal.
Kings Receive:
Mike Stadleman
Jeremy Jones
Crosby's Receive:
Drew Hruska
Ryan Marino
Crosby's GM John George issued a statemenet following the trade:
"The Crosbys would like to formally welcome Andrew Hruska and Ryan Marino to our hockey family. We pride ourselves as a high class organization with a rich tradition and we feel these two guys can really help us out as we try for our second cup this season. We would also like to thank Mike Stadleman and Jeremy Jones for their contributions to our team so far this season, and we wish them the best of luck with the Kings. "
The Kings will play the Pirates at 11:00 this week, and the Crosby's will play the Jets at 2:00. The two teams do not meet again until March 20th, Week Thirteen of the FHL Season.
Week Six: 1/23/10 - Preview
There is great news for the Franklin Hockey League as this week, T-Shirts for all six teams, with logos, numbers, and the name of each team’s sponsor, will be released. The six sponsors include Bishop Boyle sponsored by Morrison's Agency Inc., Jets sponsored by Hruska Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Kings sponsored by Sullivan Pool Mgt., Moose Sponsored by The Pizza Company, and the Pirates Sponsored by Duke’s Upper Deck Café. You will see all sponsors names, phone numbers, and addresses on the website shortly.
The FHL Standings after 5 Weeks are as followed:
1.) Jets: 4-1 (12-6)
2.) Crosby’s: 4-1 (13-8)
3.) Moose: 3-2 (12-9)
4.) Pirates: 2-3 (8-13)
5.) Kings: 1-4 (8-12)
6.) Bishop Boyle: 1-4 (7-12)
Kings: 1-4 (8-12) vs. Jets: 4-1 (12-6)
This week’s 11:00 match-up puts the first place Jets against the 1-4 Kings. The Jets defeated the Moose 3-1 last week, thanks to Brian Barca’s two goal performance. The Kings lost to the Crosby’s 3-1 in a series that went to Overtime all four games, and a Shoot-Out in three. This will be the first time these two teams have played during this campaign. The Jets come in with the best +/- in the FHL, with 20 goals for, and 9 goals against. Barca is the leader of this team, as well as the leader in the FHL in goals (13) and points (14). The Kings have seen first round pick Matt Wierchowski score two goals last week, and also the return of Drew Hruska. Coming off of a very close series against the Crosby’s, the Kings will have to rally against Barca, and the tough defensive unit of the Jets.
Cristallini Prediction: Jets in 4.
Crosby’s: 4-1 (13-8) vs. Bishop Boyle: 1-4 (7-12)
The 12:30 series puts the league’s longest rivalry against each other. Although the rivalry may be dying, it may receive a spark this week. Bishop Boyle comes in with the league’s lowest goal total (9) and the league’s worst +/- (-10). The Crosby’s are one of two 4-1 teams, with their only loss coming to the Jets. Roy McDonald may be the best scorer in the league. After a rough start, he’s just behind Barca in both goals (9) and points (13) for the league lead. This week the return of Zack Wahal will help, along with the emergence of second year defenseman Mike Cullen, who has a goal and three assists this season. Bishop Boyle is hoping for a return of Nick Sinawski and Captain Brian Grise after last week’s 5-game loss to the Pirates, where they were outscored 9-2 after a great game one start.
Cristallini Prediction: Crosby’s in 4.
Pirates: 2-3 (8-13) vs. Moose: 3-2 (12-9)
Finally, the Pirates and the Moose will go at it for the second time this season, with the Pirates taking the first series in 5, thanks to three goals by Tony Bonacorso. But this game will have a different feel to it, as Buddy Doyle and Brian Hreha will be out. The Pirates have been led by Ryan Cleary, maybe the hottest player in the league, scoring 4 goals and adding 7 assists this year. Tony Bonacorso (5 Goals, 1 Assist) and Andrew McDonald (2 Goals, 7 Assists) have also helped the Pirates to a league leading 21 goals for. The Moose have won 3 of 5 games, but their only wins have come against two 1-4 teams, the Kings and the Moose. They have a +/- of 9, and Jeff Rogers has been their main offensive player, with 6 goals, 5 assists. The big question will be if Captain Zack Siniawski will return from an undisclosed lower body injury this week. If not, Rogers will need help from role players such as Gabe Gerson (5 Goals) and Jay Haddad (4 Goals, 2 Assists).
Cristallini Prediction: Pirates in 4.
Goalie Report
Craig Hixon: 10-3 (26-18 Season)
Week’s Shootout results: Craig Hixon: 16/19
Weather Report
Great weather for hockey, as sunny with clouds, high of 44 degrees.
Other News
• Adam Cristallini Predictions - 1/3 last week, 5/15 season.
• TEAM T-SHIRTS ARE IN, SO PLEASE BRING YOUR $7 FOR TEAM T-SHIRTS. IF YOU DO NOT PAY, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SHIRT YOU ORDERED.
• IN ORDER TO PLAY THIS WEEK, PLAYERS MUST PAY THEIR $10 ENTRY FEE! PLAYERS WHO HAVE NOT PAID WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY.
Kings: 1-4 (8-12) vs. Jets: 4-1 (12-6)
This week’s 11:00 match-up puts the first place Jets against the 1-4 Kings. The Jets defeated the Moose 3-1 last week, thanks to Brian Barca’s two goal performance. The Kings lost to the Crosby’s 3-1 in a series that went to Overtime all four games, and a Shoot-Out in three. This will be the first time these two teams have played during this campaign. The Jets come in with the best +/- in the FHL, with 20 goals for, and 9 goals against. Barca is the leader of this team, as well as the leader in the FHL in goals (13) and points (14). The Kings have seen first round pick Matt Wierchowski score two goals last week, and also the return of Drew Hruska. Coming off of a very close series against the Crosby’s, the Kings will have to rally against Barca, and the tough defensive unit of the Jets.
Cristallini Prediction: Jets in 4.
Crosby’s: 4-1 (13-8) vs. Bishop Boyle: 1-4 (7-12)
The 12:30 series puts the league’s longest rivalry against each other. Although the rivalry may be dying, it may receive a spark this week. Bishop Boyle comes in with the league’s lowest goal total (9) and the league’s worst +/- (-10). The Crosby’s are one of two 4-1 teams, with their only loss coming to the Jets. Roy McDonald may be the best scorer in the league. After a rough start, he’s just behind Barca in both goals (9) and points (13) for the league lead. This week the return of Zack Wahal will help, along with the emergence of second year defenseman Mike Cullen, who has a goal and three assists this season. Bishop Boyle is hoping for a return of Nick Sinawski and Captain Brian Grise after last week’s 5-game loss to the Pirates, where they were outscored 9-2 after a great game one start.
Cristallini Prediction: Crosby’s in 4.
Pirates: 2-3 (8-13) vs. Moose: 3-2 (12-9)
Finally, the Pirates and the Moose will go at it for the second time this season, with the Pirates taking the first series in 5, thanks to three goals by Tony Bonacorso. But this game will have a different feel to it, as Buddy Doyle and Brian Hreha will be out. The Pirates have been led by Ryan Cleary, maybe the hottest player in the league, scoring 4 goals and adding 7 assists this year. Tony Bonacorso (5 Goals, 1 Assist) and Andrew McDonald (2 Goals, 7 Assists) have also helped the Pirates to a league leading 21 goals for. The Moose have won 3 of 5 games, but their only wins have come against two 1-4 teams, the Kings and the Moose. They have a +/- of 9, and Jeff Rogers has been their main offensive player, with 6 goals, 5 assists. The big question will be if Captain Zack Siniawski will return from an undisclosed lower body injury this week. If not, Rogers will need help from role players such as Gabe Gerson (5 Goals) and Jay Haddad (4 Goals, 2 Assists).
Cristallini Prediction: Pirates in 4.
Goalie Report
Craig Hixon: 10-3 (26-18 Season)
Week’s Shootout results: Craig Hixon: 16/19
Weather Report
Great weather for hockey, as sunny with clouds, high of 44 degrees.
Other News
• Adam Cristallini Predictions - 1/3 last week, 5/15 season.
• TEAM T-SHIRTS ARE IN, SO PLEASE BRING YOUR $7 FOR TEAM T-SHIRTS. IF YOU DO NOT PAY, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SHIRT YOU ORDERED.
• IN ORDER TO PLAY THIS WEEK, PLAYERS MUST PAY THEIR $10 ENTRY FEE! PLAYERS WHO HAVE NOT PAID WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY.
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