With the first half of the season done, it is time for our mid season report cards. Players are graded on how well they have played relative to the expectations placed on them at the start of the season.
BEN BREITERMAN: A+
-Ben's knack for staying cool, calm, and collective with the puck merits him the only A+ of the group. The defense has played much better with him there, and Kraus's confidence is growing. His ability to get the puck up to the forwards with a quick pass to jump start the rush is the reason this team is heading in the right direction. The team's success may very well hinge on his play.
CHRIS DUHAIME: B
-Chris has the raw talent to be a 30 goal scorer in this league but has the reputation for playing inconsistent. He is the Alexander Semin of the Red Army. One game he can single handily take over a game with a five goal explosion, the next game he can punchasize somebody's face and get kicked out. At least he does it without playing the bongos. If Chris continues chipping in at the rate he is (8 g, 3 a) the Red Army should enjoy several two point nights.
STEVE HAND: B+
-After a slow start, the Handy Man is finding his groove. With six goals and five assists, he is beginning to blossom into the center that General Manager Sergei Lovfrotov thought he could be when he drafted Steve 17th overall in the 2006 draft. The argument that Steve racks up points playing with Mark can be thrown out the window, as most of the captain's points have come playing on a line with Chris. And net presence? How about a crease violation bitches. That's parking your ass in front.
BRIAN "BEEGE" HENDRICKS: A
-Some fans have been hard on the Beege for not scoring as much this season, but his defensive game has improved drastically. Arguably the fastest skater on the team, his ability to jump into a play and still get back on defense makes him invaluable. Him and Ben have to the defense done what ABC has done to so many homes, and completely remodeled it. Usually Mother Russia sees her goals against be one of the highest in the division, this season it is fifth lowest. Out of twelve teams that may not seem that amazing, but when a team scores as much as the Soviets do, that can be a recipe for success. And who here thinks Beege won't actually finish with close to ten goals?
MARK HENDRICKS: A
Mark has played a smarter game this season. More puck possession and less rushes. He still passes at blatant shooting opportunities, and shoots at blatant passing opportunities, but the bottom line is the players around him are playing better when he is out there. He seldom sees a game where his plus minus isn't positive. The only thing keeping him from an A+ is the close games that Mother Russia continues to lose. If you are the leading scorer on a team, you should be able to find a way to get one when it counts. We've grown weary of the almost comebacks. Bring us all the way back once. Preferably in a playoff game.
NEAL HENDRICKS: B-
-If Neal were an XBOX controller, his right joystick would only go left and right. This kid has hands of gold and can stick handle inside a phone booth. He also passes up on every shot to try and find one more deke. His nine goal explosion earlier this season shows what type of player he can be when he shoots and drives hard to the net. If he played like that every game, not that he would be rewarded with 9 points each night, he would certainly draw more penalties and create more chances. If he steps up his game, this offense could go from potent to lethal.
TONY HORTON: A-
-Germany himself has experienced a very hot start to this season. He has seven points through seven games, with six of them being goals. Him and Beege have developed into a great defensive pairing and his play with the puck is becoming more and more poised. If he can monitor when to jump into the play and when to hold back, he'll be seeing a + on the end of that A shortly.
PAT KING: B-
-Pat, like Dave Chapelle, needs to find himself. As soon as he finds success doing something, he strays from it. Early in the season Pat was butter, and you better believe it. He even netted his first career hat trick. But instead of continuing parking himself in the front for one timers in the slot, and taking buzz bombs, he has looked a bit lost out there the past few games. Pat has one of the hardest shots on the team, and his comrades want to see it more. With five points in the first half of the season, a ten point second half would be a nice improvement. He just has to get close to goal territory.
BRIAN ROBINSON: B
Good. Just getting to know him, but good.
ANDREW SCHRAM: B
Four points through 7 games is a good pace for Andy, who is known for his stay at home play. He has to watch the penalties, as he can take them at untimely times. His skating is progressing slowly but his hands have improved in leaps and bounds this year. A reasonable goal would be a ten point season, but if he can reach the 15 point plateau by season's end he can expect an article devoted to him.
JAMIE SIMEK: B
Jamie plays a very safe game and because of that is rarely on for a goal against. He has perfected the art of the dump and chase but could use a little work on the breakout. When he plays the team is better, but he plays only 2 games a season.
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