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Merry Christmas to everyone from the Franklin Hockey League. This week, the FHL has moved from Saturday to Sunday due to the holiday. This week, there are three great match-ups, including the biggest rivalry in the league, two years ago's rematch of the FHL Finals, and two teams looking for their first win.

Weather It's going to be another cold and snowy one, expect high's in the 20s. Last Week Goalie Results Z. Campbell: 3-1 J. Zelena: 2-5 R. Severa: 6-5

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We wrap up our 2010-2011 team previews fittingly with the defending FHL Cup champions; the Bishop Boyle Lancers. Bishop Boyle stunned the FHL world last season when they went on the road with the second worst record into the playoffs and came out on top. They beat the Pirates in a 5 game thriller, and hunted down the moose for an easy sweep in the semis. They faced the two time defending champion Jets in one of the most thrilling FHL cups to date. Boyle battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the series to win their first ever cup. Boyles celebration was seen all across the Steel Valley this summer as the catholic crusaders were not shy about letting people know they won. Some would think that an FHL Cup hangover is in store for Boyle. Their flamboyant captain Brian Grise thinks otherwise.. "We dont get hungover, we're still drunk" Grise will have to deal with arguably his best player from last years postseason run Mark Fetskos sudden retirement from the game. That move prompted Grise to franchise Marks brother, Tom Fetsko. Tom has established himself as one of the premier defensive defensemen in the league and sets the bar at that position. Joining Tom on the blueline is former Jet Jason Tatrai and former King Mike Stadleman. Those three along with Pat Farrel should give opposing teams fits trying to score goals. Joining Grise on offense is his linemate from last season Zack Wahal. wahal has quietly been one of the most productive players in the FHL the past 4 years. Now that he is home full time there is no limit on the amount of points he can put up. Jake Maddigan, Mike Pavasko, and Jay Haddad will look to chip in with some secondary scoring as well as provide a physical edge to Boyle. Loyal Boyle player Jared Spears will also add depth to the club. Well see if Boyle hits that hangover starting Saturday.

The Jets enter the new season in an unfamiliar position, and that is not as defending FHL champions. After winning consecutive cups in 2008 and 2009 the Jets were finally defeated at the hands of Bishop Boyle this past season. Despite a good regular season (13-6) and being one win away from winning the cup, the Jets cleaned house this offseason by not bringing back a single player from the 2009-2010 roster with the exception of captain Zak Campbell and franchise player and MVP Brian Barca. The Jets hit the lottery of the century at the awards banquet by gaining the 1st overall pick in the FHL draft. This pick allowed them to draft former MVP and owner of the all time single season goal scoring mark (60) Chad Kanz. Kanz takes his talents to the Jets with one thing in mind, winning that elusive FHL cup. Captain Zak Campbell is obviously thrilled to have Kanz on board.. "This is exciting. I've had talented guys around me before but nothing like these two (Kanz, Barca). It's going to be a special day Saturday to witness such a dynamic offense." Campbell hopes that Barca and Kanz will develop into what most of the league thinks they will become, and that is the FHL's version of the Miami Heat. The addition of Kanz may take some of the pressure off of star forward Brian Barca (league leading 41 goals last year). Barca has been the focus of the Jets offense for the past 3 years. This could prove problematic if these two superstars cannot find a way to share the puck. Somewhat flying under the radar is the Jets acquisition of Nick Siniawski. The big and tough forward won a cup in his rookie season with the Crosbys but has not had such luck since. Nick will be asked to do alot of the dirty work for the Jets. Last years leading goal scorer for the Kings, Thomas Sheetz also returns to the Jets after he was traded from them last season. That is another player who demands the puck and we will see how this compilation of superstars will play out. Brian Hreha, Dan Rojtas and Justin Gardner fill out the rest of the Jets expected rotation. The bottom of the roster is filled with first time players and perrenial no shows, so depth may be an issue again for the Jets. The Jets have potential to break numerous offensive records this year, and they also have potential to implode from within. We'll see what happens starting December 18.

Zack Siniawski leads the Moose into their 2nd season with one thing in mind, redemption. After tearing through the regular season last year (109 goals, 4th most all time) to a 13-6 record they didnt translate it to any post season wins. The moose were swept by Bishop Boyle and became an afterthought as the Lancers went on to battle with the Jets in an epic cup showdown. Zack teams up again with his franchise player and good buddy Jeff Rogers to get the Moose back on track. Jeff had probably the best offseason of hockey in the league. He helped Ben Bobick win the August charity tournament. Then he went on to captain the Gates team at the thanksgiving classic, a team that will be engrained in Gates Manor history for years to come. Jeff, a guy who idolized Kevin Stevens growing up, had this say about the new year.. "Well Ron (John), Im looking forward to playing with a new group of guy. I feel good about our roster. Lotta guts and a lotta (expletive) talent. Couldn't ask for much more." Joining the brash Jeff and Zack on this team are a couple of silent killers in Drew Hruska and Jason Kortz. Hruska enjoyed a solid season last year with the Crosbys ( 7 goals, 13 assists) and Kortz put up 15 goals and 13 assists with the Jets. These two will make up the top line of the Moose, who said goodbye to top scorers Jeff Pingor and Nick Siniawski this offseason. Also teaming up with Green is the ageless wonder Bill Seaman. Now on his fourth team (Crosbys, Kings, Jets, Moose) the Moose will hope that Seaman still has a little bit of magic left to help guide them to the Cup. Josh McIntyre, Ryan Sabo, and Jim "Beans" Johnston will be counted on to provide a touch of secondary scoring. The Moose are also hoping to get some standout play for a group of fringe defensemen in John O'brien, Nick Paoletti, and Ryan Fish. If this veteran team can hold up for the long stretch of the season they could be legittiment contenders.

The Crosbys are one of the staples of the FHL. A direct descendant of the original Barons squad, the Crosbys are enriched with FHL history. However lately the team has fallen on darker times. Its been 3 years since their last playofff victory, including an epic meltdown against the Kings this past season. Despite very respectable regular seasons, the Crosbys have not been able to translate that solid play into postseason glory. The team has been known as a tight knit group, but this year the team has taken on a slighty new image. They have also managed to bring back some old faces that they think give them the best chance to compete. For the Crosbys to have further success they will need a big performance from franchise player Roy McDonald. McDonald is the 3rd leading goal scorer in FHL history (77) and has proven he can score from anywhere. Last year he posted 27. McDonald has been with the franchise since entering the league in 2007 and is relied on heavily to produce for them offensively. This year he has back Mitch Wierchowski whom he had his best season with offensively 2 years ago. Roy said this about his expectations for the upcoming season. "We expect to end up on top. I dont think there is a player in the league that doesnt want that. We may not have the most top end talent in the league, but we have a lot of role players who know their roles and some old chemistry coming back with Mitch, and some newcomers in Cleary, Perhac, Pack, and Matty. I expect the Crosbys to be pretty tough this year." The Crosbys will look to several of these new arrivals to help chip in offensively. Matt Gori will be asked to return to his 2007-2008 form when he helped lead his Hawks team to the FHL cup. Cleary did his part last year with the pirates tallying 17 goals and 19 assists. The Crosbys will look for him to add that production from the blue line this year. The Crosbys also welcome back Ryan Marino who was one of their most consistent players last year and helped lead his team to a charity tournament championship in August. 4th and 5th rounders Joe Rogers (Pack) and Ryan Perhac will look to join Cleary and captain John George on the blueline. Tom Cunningham will also be in on the defensive rotation. The Crosbys always seem to be the deepest team in the league, and that trend will look to continue as role players Eric Miller, BJ Yott, and Drew Blasko will be asked to help put a few in the net as well. If the Crosbys can find a way to put these pieces together they will surely be a team to worry about.

The Pirates head into their 3rd season under captain Andrew McDonald looking to rebound from a disappointing 2009-2010 campaign. After producing a 9-10 record in the regular season and allowing the second most goals (92), the Pirates were exited from the playoffs in the 1st round by the eventual champion Bishop Boyle Lancers. McDonald has worked vigorously this offseason to improve his organization as a whole. He addressed his defensive issues by drafting all defensemen in the first three rounds (Dave Gilson, Shane Lucas and Mike Cullen). These players don't provide a great deal of offense (13 goals combined), but they are all proven bodies on the blue line and should give opposing teams fits. McDonald has also worked tirelessly on his own game this offseason, participating in several other leagues and winning a championship in one of them (The Hawks, Bills). McDonald has this to say about his offseason work.. "Ya know, playing as much as you can is the only way to improve your game. I've played almost four seasons of dek, and I've learned so much. I've learned how important it is to back check and help in your defensive zone. I still believe I can score, but I've become more valuable to my team by adapting to two way hockey." However, the Pirates only go as far as franchise player Tony Bonacorso takes them. The former Arizona State standout possesses arguably the best skill set in the FHL. Dynamic speed, uncanny awareness, and a blistering slap shot are what this MVP candidate brings to the table. Bono saw a severe drop off in goals last year (12) from his rookie season (28) and that no doubt had a huge impact on the Pirates shortcomings. He answered his critics this offseason by winning MVP of the August charity tournament and then helping Gates to a huge win in the Thanksgiving Classic. With an exceptional top end of talent, it will be the back end of the Pirates lineup that raises the most questions. Ryan Stotlemeyer will be asked to hold down the second line (13 career goals), after that the remaining offense is a mystery. Veterans Neil Murray, Dan Powers and Jared Grace will be in the mix to contribute, as will newcomer "Mad" Chad Nolan. Recently added Mark Zelena will also add a huge boost to an already stout defense when he returns from a foot injury. If all of the pieces fall into place, the Pirates may return to their championship form of 2009.

The Kings head into the 2010-2011 season looking to build off of an impressive performance in last years playoffs. After posting a 5-14 record in the regular season, the Kings embarrassed the Crosbys in the first round in one of the more memorable upsets in FHL history. The following week they put up a valiant effort against the defending champion Jets, losing twice in overtime. Gone from that team are veterans Thomas Sheetz (15 goals, 12 assists), Mike Stadleman (9 goals, 5 assists) and Ryan Stotlemeyer (12 goals, 6 assists) as captain Jamie Zelena decided to build off of youth by franchising Ben Bobick (4 goals, 5 assists) this offseason. The Kings should benefit from the additions of two proven defensemen in Buddy Doyle and Adam Pander. Doyle is one of the grittiest players in the league and owns one of its most lethal shots. Pander is fresh off of a cup victory with Bishop Boyle and should offer some stability and leadership to the young Kings team. Veteran Jeff Pingor will be asked to provide the majority of the offense as he is coming off a breakout season with the Moose, scoring 31 goals in 09-10. Zelena has always been known as an aggressive captain not only on the ice but off of it as well. Since the draft he has already shipped off disgruntled forward Ryan Marino and newcomer John O'brien in return for Dave Kwolek and Josh "Cheese" Edwards in separate deals. Jamie had this to say about his team and the upcoming season.. "We're looking to grind teams down and win dirty. We'll do whatever we have to in order to put up goals and keep goals out of our net. The opposing players are gonna wake up Sunday morning and say 'man we must've played the Kings yesterday." There is never a doubt that opposing teams will be in for a fight when they play the Kings. But will their effort be enough to produce wins? The Kings will need players like Adam Cristallini and Dave Kwolek to up their offensive production to be successful this season. They will also need youngsters Joe Sims, Ryan Mains, Craig Hixon, and Brandon Welsh to take the next step in their development and take some off the pressure off of the older guys. With a new logo, a new sponsor (Main Street Deli) and a new attitude, will this be a new Kings team? The answer to that question will begin to be played out December 18th.

The FHL and the Kings have announced that Main Street Deli will be sponsoring the Kings this season. Main Street Deli 3614 Main Street Munhall, PA 15120 Phone: 412-969-6272 http://www.mainstdeli.com/

Crosby's Trade: Mark Zelena and Josh Edwards Pirates Trade: Drew Blasko Kings Trade: Ryan Marino Crosby's Get: Drew Blasko and Ryan Marino Pirates Get: Mark Zelena Kings Get: Josh Edwards

To all members of the FHL. We apologize for any inconvienience.

The schedule has been updated with some minor changes. Week Two and Week Tweleve are now switched. Week Two previously had Pirates/Moose, Boyle/Jets, and Kings/Crosby's. We switched it to make sure Jets/Boyle doesn't play two weeks in a row.

Week Two is now Crosby's/Boyle, Pirates/Jets, and Moose/Kings.

Everything is updated on the website now. Thank you.