ROUND 2: #5 CRYPTIC STENCH vs #4 RED ARMY

THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2010: Red Army vs Cryptic Stench, 11 pm @ the Plex.

REGULAR SEASON RECORDS:
Red Army: 10-3-1, 21 points
Cryptic Stench: 10-4-0, 20 points

SEASON SERIES:
1-0 Red Army, 6-4 victory for the Soviets

OTHER IMPORTANT STATS:
60-69 point scorers: Red Army 1, Cryptic Stench 0
50-59 point scorers: Red Army 0, Cryptic Stench 0
40-49 point scorers: Red Army 0, Cryptic Stench 1
30-39 point scorers: Red Army 0, Cryptic Stench 1
20-29 point scorers: Red Army 2, Cryptic Stench 1
10-19 point scorers: Red Army 5, Cryptic Stench 4
0-9 point scorers: Red Army 0, Cryptic Stench 1

Goals For: Red Army 107, Cryptic Stench 96
Goals Against: Red Army 70, Cryptic Stench 58
Goals For Per Game Average: Red Army 7.64, Cryptic Stench 6.86
Goals Against Per Game Average: Red Army 5.00, Cryptic Stench 4.14


These two teams are remarkably close in nearly every facet of the game. The Red Army has the more potent offense, but the Stench yield fewer goals. In fact, these two teams' goal differentials at season's end were 38 and 37 (with the Stench narrowly edging the Comrades).

So lets break it down.

FIVE REASONS THE SOVIETS WIN:
1) #18. In last season's second round game against the Shockers, Hendricks put the team on his back with a seven goal explosion. Of course, there is history with the Shockers because of the rough stuff from years past, so Hendricks had extra motivation. There hasn't been any rough stuff between the Stench and Soviets this year has there? Oh wait... didn't Hendricks catch a baseball swing hockey stick to the cage of his helmet? I think he'll get up for this game.

2) Secondary scoring. Supposing that not every goal comes off the blade of #18, guys like Steve Hand, Pat King, and Tony Horton should all be chipping in too. King has emerged as a legit secondary scorer on the team, while Hand and Horton have improved their play with the puck in the more crowded areas of the rink. When all four of the offensemen are going, it's a well oiled goal scoring machine.

3) Defense or offense? I'm not sure what the Soviet defense is more known for, shutting down opposing team's forwards or scoring goals? On one hand, Ryan Odell, Brad Lotocki, Ben Breiterman, and Scott Hoefer all possess the capability of limiting shots, blocking them, and giving Andy Schram a light workload. Then again, they also possess the capability of joining the rush and scoring. Balance is key tomorrow night, and perhaps Sunday, and perhaps Tuesday, and then again on Thursday, and if necessary, Sunday again.

4) Schrambunctious out of the Funkctious. How about a great rebound performance against the Stench for #21? 99 times out of 100 he gives the Soviets a chance to win. That's all you can ask for the rookie goaltender.

5) Discipline. Tempers might flare tomorrow night, but the Soviets need to keep their emotions in check if they want to keep their season going. Too many seasons have ended because of untimely penalties. You can't win if you play the game shorthanded.


So... what you got? Is this another season that ends abruptly? Is this the start of something great? Or was this post the single most analyzed roller hockey game in human history?

My prediction: Red Army 8, Cryptic Stench 5.

Go get 'em, Comrades.


UPDATE:
Brad Lotocki will be interviewing for a job in Blacksburg, VA and will not be able to suit up tomorrow night. That could mean that Brian "Beege" Hendricks will be called up from the Trailside Tigers.