Regular Season Final Grades (Playoff Preview Part I Continued)

Tony Horton: B+
END OF SEASON WRAPUP: Tony certainly refined his offensive game this season and because of it, his goal total increased dramatically. With six goals, Tony was 5th on the team in goals, and even lead the team early in the season. As a versatile player, he was able to skate on both offense and defense depending on the game. He played the majority of games on the blue line, and he still has to pick and choose when to join the rush, but that is something that is easily correctable going into this playoffs.

WHY THE RED ARMY WINS: Tony clears the crease for Kraus, chips in with a few goals in the postseason, and focuses more on the defensive aspect of his game. Opposing forwards shy away from the net and Mother Russia leaves the competition seeing red.

WHY THE RED ARMY LOSES: Tony gets on his horse too much and joins the rush at inopportune times, leading to too many odd man rushes, and goals against. Mother Russia can't stop the bleeding.

Pat King: B
END OF SEASON WRAPUP: Pat was bit by the summer class bug and missed many games this season. As a result he struggled to mesh well with line mates and never had a chance to generate much chemistry. There are glimpses of hope for #57's future though, as he did record four of his five goals playing on a line with Mark, and there seemed to be a spark there (no homo of course). Pat's speed and absolute howitzer make many scouts confident that he will continue to blossom under the system that Mother Russia plays.

WHY THE RED ARMY WINS: Pat shows up, chips in with a goal a game, and uses his speed to back check and force turnovers.

WHY THE RED ARMY LOSES: Pat doesn't show up, no goals are scored, and other teams have a field day skating around unmolested (totally homo).

Matt Kraus: B+
Season Wrapup: Kraus came into this season with more confidence than a drunk wolf at an injured sheep convention... he was going to clean house. With the revamped defense Kraus has seen less shots this season but has certainly made the saves when called on. His poise in net has improved and seldom do pucks hail out from the net towards the heads of referees at center. Though the Red Army does play a high risk/high reward game and surrender many odd man rushes, Kraus has done his part to make sure that Mother Russia has a chance for victory each night.

WHY THE RED ARMY WINS: Kraus plays the way he can in early rounds and plays exceptional deep into the playoffs. He keeps his composure regardless of the situation.

WHY THE RED ARMY LOSES: Kraus becomes flustered and allows more goals than the Soviets score.

Andy Schram: B+
Season Wrapup: Andy has come a long way since his first season with the Red Army. He no longer passes the puck as soon as he gets it, and allows himself more time to create. It is a direct result of his 10 assists, which was good for 3rd on the team. He still has the knack for taking roughing penalties, though lately they have been smarter and less frequent. If he can get shots off sooner and put them on goal, he could see a tally in the goal column this post season.

WHY THE RED ARMY WINS: Andy plays a simple game in the playoffs. Pucks get out of the zone quick and opposing players back's hurt when they want to set a screen. He chips in with a couple of assists, but focuses mostly on maintaining the other team's offense to the outside.

WHY THE RED ARMY LOSES: Penalty trouble and poor positioning do Andy and Mother Russia in.

Jameson Simek: B+
SEASON WRAPUP: Jamie has solidified himself as a top defenseman on the team. His skating has made great strides in recent years and his confidence with the puck has grown with it. He is able to skate it out of the zone by himself and absolutely loves a good breakout. He still needs some persuasion on when to shoot the puck, but 'baaaaah dude' when he shoots it is 'silly'.

WHY THE RED ARMY WINS: Jamie plays defense allowing Beege to play offense. Jamie is fast enough to skate up and down with the other team's players and even chips in offensively with a few rockets from the point. At least once, him and Mark hookup (no homo) with a seam pass.

WHY THE RED ARMY LOSES: Jamie becomes flustered and every object is destroyed in a 3 mile radius with the patented Simek Wrath (see Nagasaki... too soon? Still not homo though.)