GAME ONE - Moose 2, Boyle 0

Moose - Hruska from Mains
Hruska from Mains and Rogers

Boyle - None

GAME TWO - Moose 2, Boyle 1 (OT)

Moose - Hruska from Mains
Mains from Hruska and Rogers

Boyle - Edwards from Grise


GAME THREE - Boyle 1, Moose 0

Moose - None

Boyle - Hanna from Satria and Marino

GAME FOUR - Moose 2, Boyle 0

Moose - Mains from Hruska
Mains unassisted

Boyle - None

- - - - -

GAME ONE - Jets 2, Whalers 0

Jets - Campbell from Mitrik

Mitrik from Campbell and Siniawski

Whalers - None

GAME TWO - Jets 1, Whalers 0 (3 OT)

Jets - Siniawski from Gardner

Whalers - None

GAME THREE - Whalers 3, Jets 1

Jets - Campbell from Siniawski

Whalers - Murray unassisted

Stadleman from Fish and Martin

Hess unassisted (empty net)

 

GAME FOUR - Jets 1, Whalers 0 (OT)

Jets - Tatrai from Campbell and Siniawski

Whalers - None

FHL PLAYOFF PREVIEW

ROUND 1

The 6^th installment of the Franklin Hockey League playoffs, have finally arrived.  After a grueling 20-game season, the FHL’s weekend warriors are ready to put it all out on the table and show what they’re made of.  It seems like just yesterday the league did not have a home, and it was uncertain of the 2011-2012 season would ever take place.  Fast forward 7 months and arguably the most highly anticipated playoff tournament is set to get under way.  We’ve seen some intense battles dating back to the Christmas break, but nothing will compare to the action we’ll see these next 3 weeks.  It all starts this Saturday, May 26^th at 11:30 AM. 

(1) Crosbys- Bye

(2) Thunder- Bye

11:30 AM---(3) Moose vs. (6) Bishop Boyle

Captains: Moose- Zack Siniawski (3g,4a), Boyle- Brian Grise (15g,7a,16pim)

Goalies: Moose- Unknown (regular Marty Terrick will not be available), Boyle- Rick Severa (1.39 GAA)

Top 5 leading scorers:

1. Drew Hruska- Moose, (25g,14a)

2. Ryan Mains- Moose, (16g,18a)

3. Jason Kortz- Moose, (11g,22a)

4. Brian Grise- Boyle, (15g,7a)

5. Zack Wahal- Boyle, (10g,11a)

Brian Grise quote on how to beat the Moose: “Speed and hustle.  Our best is good enough.  I believe we want it more and in the playoffs that’s what it comes down to.”  Grise is the all-time leading scorer in FHL playoff history.

Zack Siniawski quote on how to beat Boyle: “We gotta play our game ya know.  Posses the puck and control the flow.”  Siniawski and the Moose are only a year removed from winning the cup.

Andrew McDonald prediction: Moose in 3, Zack Siniawski series MVP.

John George prediction: Moose in 4, Jason Kortz series MVP.

1:00 PM---(4) Jets vs. (5) Whalers

Captains: Jets- Zak Campbell (6g,8a), Whalers- Joe Rogers (0g,5a)

Goalies: Jets- Craig Hixon (0.72 GAA), Whalers- Jim Besterci (0.86 GAA)

Top 5 leading scorers:

1t. Ryan Fish- Whalers, (12g,11a)

1t. Nick Siniawski- Jets, (13g,10a)

3. Shane Lucas- Whalers, (11g,11a)

4. Thomas Sheetz- Whalers, (9g,9a)

5. Adam Cristallini- Whalers, (6g,11a)

Joe Rogers quote on how to beat the Jets: “You really gotta keep their forwards in front of you.  They got a lot of speed.  And simplify the game offensively.  You’re not gonna beat their Dmen one on one.”  This is Joes first playoff series as a captain.

Shane Lucas quote on how to beat the Whalers: “We as a team have to get the puck deep behind their D and get pressure on the forecheck and cause turnovers that can lead to good scoring chances.”

Andrew McDonald prediction: Whalers in 5, Ryan Fish series MVP.

John George prediction: Whalers in 5, Jim Besterci series MVP.

Here’s a look at the top playoff performers in FHL history: (Stats have been kept since the 08-09 season)

1.      Brian Grise    15g7a 22pts    

2.      Tony Bonacorso  11g5a  16pts

3.      Andrew McDonald 9g4a 13pts

4.      Zak Campbell 6g4a 10pts

5.      Nick Siniawski 7g2a 9pts

6.      Zack Wahal 6g3a  9pts

7.      Tom Fetsko 5g4a 9pts

8.      Brian Barca  6g2a 8pts

9.      Matt Wierchowski 6g2a 8pts

10.  Drew Hruska 3g5a 8pts

11.  Zack Siniawski 1g7a 8pts

12.  Ryan Fish 5g2a 7pts

13.  Adam Cristallini 4g3a 7pts

14.  Jeff Rogers 2g5a 7pts

15.  Brian Hreha 2g5a 7pts

16.  Roy McDonald 1g6a 7pts

17.  Jason Kortz 3g3a 6pts

18.  Shane Lucas 2g4a 6pts

19.  Chad Kanz 4g2a 6pts

20.  Buddy Doyle 3g2a 5pts

21.  Jason Tatrai 2g2a 4pts

22.  Mike Stadleman 2g2a 4pts

23.  Ben Bobick 2g1a 3pts

24.  Jeff Pingor  1g2a 3pts

25.  Bill Seaman 1g2a 3pts

26.  Ryan Cleary 1g2a 3pts.

27.  Thomas Sheetz  1g1a 2pts

28.  John George 1g0a 1pts

Week 20

Boyle 0, Crosby's 3

FORFEIT

Moose 0, Jets 3

Box Score

Thunder 3, Whalers 0

FORFEIT

Week 19

Thunder 3, Crosby's 2

Box Score

Moose 3, Boyle 0 

Box Score

Jets 3, Whalers 1

Box Score

Week 18

Moose 3, Thunder 2

Box Score

Boyle 3, Jets 2

Box Score

Crosby's 3, Whalers 2

Box Score

Week 17

Moose 0, Whalers 3

Box Score

Thunder 3, Boyle 0

Box Score

Jets 0, Crosby's 3

FORFEIT

First off, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us Mr. Seaman. This is a long awaited and highly anticipated interview with one of the leagues all-time greats.

I think the question everyone wants to know is how do you still do it? The longevity you have displayed is simply unmatched.
Good genes, healthy living…I don’t know, maybe the long off-season training in Russia with Jeff Rogers and Zack Sinawski. But honestly, I think it just comes down to my love of sports and the game of hockey. I played one sport or another everyday growing up. We were ALWAYS outside playing something or another, every single day. I am in some sorts, just a big kid who never wanted to grow up. I still love to play, but now, I realize that the key to longevity is to try and stay in shape and to not stop playing, because once you do, it is so hard to get back in shape. There is a quote that some of the older players need to start learning, one that I live by, “If you did not know how old you were, how old would you be?” You are as old as you feel. Some days I’m 25, some I’m 70.


Is the larger FHL surface more difficult for you to play on?
No, not really. I have played on deks this size for so long that there really was not that big of an adjustment. I actually prefer this surface to playing at the original FHL site. The new dek forces you to run a little more and play positional hockey. You have to know what you’re doing on a larger surface; otherwise, your weaknesses are really exposed.

You started off the season leading a young but talented Jets team. However, you were traded to the Thunder at the deadline in a 3-team deal that left some league members scratching their heads. What do you make of the Jets chances moving forward and what has it been like so far in your short stint with the Thunder?
I think the Jets will be just fine. They have quality players and a strong goalie. Once college is done and the team leaders can attend regularly, I think they will be just as difficult to face as anyone. It was hard leaving such a young group of players, but things happen for a reason. I wish them luck.

As for the moving on to the Thunder, it has been a lot of fun playing with great offensive players like Kanz and the McDonald’s, but it is tougher on me personally not having the depth on the bench each week. At my age, it is nice to have a couple lines on defense so that I can catch a breather here and there. Hopefully, we can get better commitment for the stretch drive and for the playoffs. If that happens, I fully believe that the Thunder will be tough to beat.

You are technically a 3-time FHL cup champion (Crosby’s, Jets, Moose). But last year with the Moose was the first time you were present for the actual championship game. How special of a moment was that?
Playing in the finals was something I had been waiting to do a long, long time. Unfortunately the first two championships that my former teams made took place the same weekend that I chaperoned the History Club trips at school. So, playing and winning last year was a great experience. Zack really put a solid team together that season. Hopefully, I can raise the cup this year with the Thunder.

Is there one particular thing that still drives you?
At this point, it is no longer just the love of the game; it is also the challenge of keeping up with the rest of the league. The last thing I want to do is hang on too long and hurt my team, but as long as I am contributing, and can run, I will fight, claw, and scratch for another FHL Cup. I love coming out to the rink each week and playing. It will be difficult for me to just quit. Plus, I LOVE the competition too much. And if you have played with me long enough, you know that I hate losing. I guess being successful is what drives me to keep playing.


You’ve played with some pretty talented players throughout your career. Who has been your favorite to play with and why?
That is a really tough question. There have been so many talented players over the years that I have played alongside. Defensively, I would say Drano. He and I have played together outside of the FHL for many seasons and there is a definite comfort zone there. In the FHL, playing with left-handed Buddy Doyle a few years ago was a real treat. We both have similar offensive styles and playing on the off wing with him, we were always able to set each other up for shots. Brian Barca is another person that I meshed well with from Day 1. We both move well without the ball and like to pass a lot, plus he is so easy to play with because he is so vocal. You always know were he’s at and he has that knack of finding the soft spots on the other teams defense to give himself a good scoring opportunity. There certainly is a good chemistry there.

Who poses the most serious threat to the Thunder?
Again, a tough question. In the FHL, every team is a threat; there are no gimme’s in the FHL.

Of course we have to ask this… How many years do you think you have left in the tank?
I wish I knew. I can only take it a season at a time. When I think that I have been playing organized hockey longer then most of the league has been living, well I certainly realize that I am pretty far on the downside of my career. I would like to play another 3 years though.,..50 is a nice round number to hang them up. We’ll see though, I am starting to feel my age more and more recently. It’s been a long season. I might need to head back to the Mother Country for some off-season conditioning!


Just a few quick hitters now..

Favorite NHL player of all time?
If it’s not Gary Rissling, then it would have to be Mario Lemieux or Paul Coffey

Favorite FHL player to watch?
Kanz or Bono. Their shots and stick handling are unmatched.

Best FHL goalie?
When he was on, Mr. Meade was sure tough to beat.

Favorite sport other than hockey?
Baseball

Most underrated FHL player?
Ryan Perhac. In my opinion, he may be the best defensemen in the league.

FHL MVP?
Mr. Campbell, without him we would not have such a great facility to play on.

God Bless the FHL!!!!