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by Commissioner John George

11:00-Pirates vs. Kings After a week off from FHL action, the Pirates and Kings will step on the pavement first Saturday with the Kings still looking for their first win of the season. They take on the Pirates who have already beaten them twice this season. The Pirates have boasted the leagues most stubborn defense (12 goals against) with the help of Dave Gilson, Mike Cullen and Shane Lucas. The Kings will need leading scorer Jeff Pingor to continue his production if they hope to find their first win of the year. 12:30-Bishop Boyle vs Moose Things have not gone the way Boyle Captain Brian Grise has hoped this season. Despite stocking up on defense with franchise player Tom Fetsko, 2nd round pick Jason Tatrai, and 3rd round pick Mike Stadlemen, Boyle has allowed the leagues most goals against (31). That is 8 more goals allowed than the 0-5 Kings. Shotty attendence hasnt helped Boyles cause. The Moose will look for forwards Drew Hruska and Jason Kortz to stay hot and help propell them past the Catholic Crusaders. 2:00-Jets vs Crosbys The Crosbys had a scare last time they played as they almost blew a 2-0 lead against the Kings. Roy McDonald had a breakout game and continued his impressive point production in the win. The Jets will be without a number of players including captain Zak Campbell and defensemen Nick Siniawski. A Jets loss could possibly force a 4-way tie for first place if the right teams win this weekend.

by Buddy Doyle

Buddy Nick, you're now a Jet. Tell me-- how has your view of the organization changed since you became a part of it? Nick Well, in past seasons being in the league, the Jets were a team that always had a target on their back due to their success. But now I can see that success comes from hard work and good ownership. Being on the other side of the equation, I will strive to help the Jets win another cup this year. I feel that our GM and our franchise player have assembled a strong team and will be tough-out come playoff time. Buddy Do you have a new respect for Brian Barca now that he is a friend instead of a foe? Nick Me and Brian shared in an FHL cup during the inaugural season with the Crosby's. But people don't realize how much of a beating Brian goes through weekly because other teams feel like that is the only way to slow him down. I'm extremely impressed by the way he perseveres and puts himself within the elite of FHL scorers year after year. The guy just wins. Buddy Nick, what is your role this season with the Jets? Nick This year has been a bit of a change of pace. Because of the fact that we have two of the best scorers in the history of the league, I have been asked to play more of a defensive role-- which I don't mind at all. It speaks volumes to the dedication of our team that guys like Zak Campbell and Justin Gardner, normally offensive threats, are willing to play defense week in and week out. It truly is whatever is best for the team. Buddy Obviously a favorite for the title, what does your team have to do to make this come true? Nick We need full attendance. I feel that anything short of a number one seed would be a disappointment for our team. Come playoff time, if everyone plays to their potential-- I can't imagine us losing. Buddy Some would say that the Jets should not have Chad Kanz this season. That the league should determine draft order based on performance from the prior season. What do you say about these comments and about this idea? Nick It's not up to me to make the rules, my job is to show up and play. These decisions are made by the league office. Obviously, any team that would have had the opportunity to acquire Kanz would have jumped on it. Maybe we got the luck of the draw, but I don't care, I'm not complaining. Buddy Like the NHL and NFL, the FHL seems to be cracking down on hits this season-- specifically, hits from behind and open ice hits. Is this good for the league? Nick Honestly, I can sympathize with both sides of the argument. The league is determined to keep their players safe, without compromising the integrity of the game. I feel that hits from behind should be penalized, but I do not want to see clean, open ice body checks completely done away with. Sometimes, as a defending player, the only way to stop an opponent is to separate him from the ball with your body. Buddy With the loss of players such as Gabe and Gary Gerson, Mark Fetsko, Dan Drane, and Dustin Hess, have you noticed a drop of talent in the league? Nick No, I don't think so. The league is still filled with extremely talented players. Yes, it's a shame to see some of those players go, but with young guns such as Bobick, Simms, Mains, and Veeheck, I feel that the league has a very bright future. Buddy Favorite NHL player? Nick Guess I gotta go with Brooksy. Buddy Favorite FHL player? Nick Tom Fetsko. It's like having a second goalie out there. Buddy Least favorite FHL team? Nick Gotta go with Boyle. I love to beat BG, and hate to lose to him. Buddy Toughest FHL player to play against? Nick Buddy Doyle. It's nearly impossible to get around him. Buddy (Thanks, Nick). Most memorable FHL moment? Nick Probably in the playoffs of the second year of the league. I was a member of Boyle, and we were playing the Jets in the semifinals. We were on a penalty kill and I blocked multiple shots in a row--several with my teeth, cheeks, and forehead. Personally, that's my favorite FHL moment. Buddy MVP prediction? Nick Kanz or Barca. It will be one or the other. Buddy Thanks for your time, Nick Nick No problem, Bud. When ya going home next? You should go home for the Super Bowl. Buddy Maybe I will, I'll let ya know.

COMMISSIONER GEORGE: Shane, after some bouncing around you find yourself back with a team you're familiar with, the Pirates, how does it feel? SHANE: It feels good to finally be back with a team I can call home. Its my 2nd time playing with Amac and Tony so its a great feeling. I know I'm wanted here and I feel comfortable with all my teammates around me. COMMISSIONER GEORGE: You guys are currently in 2nd place and have only allowed a league low 12 goals against. Are you pleased with the teams effort so far? SHANE: Im extremely pleased. We play well defensively and don't let up a lot of goals and force teams to beat us in shootouts. And as much as we don't want to lose those games we understand that we are playing well and we have an opportunity to win any game. Also, we are 2nd in goal for and 1st in +/- so we know shootouts are our weakness and we just have to learn to overcome that and win no matter what the situation is. COMMISSIONER GEORGE: You have jumped out to a big start personally with 6 goals and 6 assists. Do you think the people who say you are a defensive player of the year candidate are correct? SHANE: I have had a good year so far and that's all cause of my teammates and what they do throughout the games. But to say people are correct, haha it is still early but I'm not worried about winning an individual award. But if winning defensive player of the year means producing points and helping our team win a championship then I will be happy to have a championship first the defensive player of the year second. COMMISSIONER GEORGE: At this point of the season are the Pirates championship contenders? Do you have all the pieces in house? SHANE: Yea I believe we can be a contender right now. Our team believes in each other and we all know where we want to be come May. We all understand our roles as players and we have a good balance of speed, skill, grit, and most of all heart. We will play hard every week for each other and that's what matters. Having all the pieces will determine how we continue to play up until the deadline. If our Captain feels we need to make a move then we will support him in his decision and move toward our goal from there. COMMISSIONER GEORGE: Thanks Shane. Just a few small quick questions now. Favorite NHL player? SHANE: Anytime, John. Kris Letang. COMMISSIONER GEORGE: Favorite FHL player? SHANE: Hmm there are some great ones but I will say Buddy Doyle, hes taught me a lot COMMISSIONER GEORGE: Most memorable game in your FHL career? SHANE: I would say losing to boyle in 5 games in the cup last year. Left a very sour taste considering losing 2 finals in a row. COMMISSIONER GEORGE: Super Bowl Prediction? SHANE: Steelers v.s. Green Bay.... 31-28 the black and gold COMMISSIONER GEORGE: Nice. That's it, thanks again SHANE: Thanks John. Go FHL, Go Steelers.

FHL Week Six has been canceled and rescheduled for Make Up Week May 7th. FHL will resume normal activities with Week Six on January 29th. Thank you.

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The Crosby's have announced their sponsor for the 2010-11 season. It is Carmine's Barber Shop. 3410 Main Street Munhall, PA 15120 (412) 461-2334

After four weeks, the FHL community can determine three things; The Jets are pretty good (4-0), The Kings are pretty bad (0-4), and everyone else better prepare for a dog fight the rest of the way (four teams 2-2). Obviously its still very early, but the script is set for one of the tightest races for the bye week in FHL history. Week five continues the trend of meaningful battles. 11:00- Bishop Boyle vs. The Pirates: This matchup features two teams coming off tough losses to The Jets and Crosbys respectively. Brian Grise will look to jumpstart his team against a defense that has allowed a league low 10 goals against thus far. However the real story out of Bishop Boyle city is the emergence of Jason Tatrai. His 6 goals this season are tied for third in the league and lead all defensemen. He already has half of the amount of goals he had last season with the Jets. For the Pirates to win this mathcup they will need to find a way to get superstar forward Tony Bonacorso going. 'Bono' has just 2 goals in the first four weeks and has not played to the form he showed in the two offseason tournaments. It may come down to which captain can carry his team offensively enough to win. Commish's prediction- Boyle in 5 12:30 -The Moose vs. The Jets: The Jets are off to one of the best starts in league history. Brian Barca has continued his assault on the stat sheet with the help of veteran Chad Kanz. However these good times may not last for long as the Jets will be without two forces on defense in Nick Siniawski and captain Zak Campbell. More than ever before the burden will fall directly on Barca to propell his team through the regular season. The Moose will get their first chance to beat someone besides the Kings this week. Former Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Rogers will have the unpleasent task of trying to neutralize the Jets top tandom. If he can do a good enough job at that the Moose will have a shot as forwards Jason Kortz and Drew Hruska have proven to be troublesome for opposing defenses. Commish's Prediction- Moose in 4 2:00- The Crosbys vs The Kings: The newly chirstened Carmines Crosbys are coming off an emotional 5 game win against the rival Pirates. Ryan Perhac had his offcial coming out party as he scored 2 goals and also buried a shootout winner. The Crosbys are 0-2 on Sunday games and should not overlook the lowly Kings who continue to fight despite their record. Last week they fell down 0-2 against the moose but battled back to force a game 5, ultimately losing. A bright spot from last week is they tripled their total goal output from 2 to 6. Young forward Ryan Mains was the best player on the surface for them and if the rest of the team can follow his energetic lead then they may be able to get off the shnide and beat the boys in white.

Week Five of the FHL Regular Season has been rescheduled. We will now play on Sunday, January 16th. Thank you.

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Week 4 brings us some very interesting matchups that should make for a great Saturday of Hockey. There will be several storylines to watch within these games, the first of which is Boyle-Jets round 2.

The Lancers look to avenge a tough opening day loss to the hottest team in the league. The Jets beat up on Boyle week one in four games. They got three goals a piece from stars Brian Barca and Chad Kanz. Barca has continued his assault on the stat sheet as he is on pace to break Kanz's record of 60 goals in a season. Boyle will look to stout defensemen Tom Fetsko and Jason Tatrai to keep the Jets from moving to 4-0. The Pirates vs. The Crosbys: Captain John George returns after a two week absence to help get the Crosbys back to 500. The real storylines here however do not involve the veteran captain. Brothers Roy (Crosbys) and Andrew (Pirates) McDonald will square off for the first time this season. Both players have established themselves as top offensive threats in the league and there is no love loss when the puck drops. Former Pirates Ryan Cleary, Joe Rogers, and Eric Miller- along with former Crosby's Mike Cullen and Dave Gilson will also look to prove to their former team that they made a mistake by choosing not to draft them this past November. This matchup is the definition of a primetime game. The Kings have not won a game since week one, and they havnt won a series since last May. They will try to avoid being the first team to ever start the season 0-4. They will get their chance against a 1-2 Moose team that swept them in dominating fashion just two weeks ago. Drew Hruska is off to a hot start to the season, 3rd in the league with nine points, and the Moose will look to him to help bury the Kings. WEATHER REPORT Another cold one at Franklin, expect snow and highs in the mid twenties. GOALIE REPORT - FHL Welcomes back goaltender Jim Besterci after missing the first three weeks with a broken arm. - Craig Hixon will play the first series, while Zak Campbell will play in his place for the second two series. - Last week's goalies: Jamie Zelena (2-3), Craig Hixon (9-4), and Zak Campbell (2-6)

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