On The Fly #2
By Brent Maranto
After spending the weekend in Las Vegas working for both the Flyers and the WSHL, I got a chance broadcast plenty of games. Over the ten games in four days, which took a toll on my voice and throat (thank you Ricola) I was able to see every team in the league play at least once. It was especially interesting to see the teams from the Mid-West Division, as we won’t be able to see them again until the Flyers meet them in the Thorne Cup (maybe wishful thinking). So after seeing all 13 teams play this weekend, I have put together a few observations from each team (except for the Flyers, for my review would be a bit biased). I’ve included their overall record, showcase record, some key players and finally my standings prediction:
On the Fly #2
By Brent Maranto
After spending the weekend in Las Vegas working for both the Flyers and the WSHL, I got a chance broadcast plenty of games. Over the ten games in four days, which took a toll on my voice and throat (thank you Ricola) I was able to see every team in the league play at least once. It was especially interesting to see the teams from the Mid-West Division, as we won’t be able to see them again until the Flyers meet them in the Thorne Cup (maybe wishful thinking). So after seeing all 13 teams play this weekend, I have put together a few observations from each team (except for the Flyers, for my review would be a bit biased). I’ve included their overall record, showcase record, some key players and finally my standings prediction:
WESTERN DIVISION
1. Frenso Monsters (32-3-2, 3-1)-
The Fresno Monsters are the Fresno Monsters, there is not too much you can’t say about them. They have led the league nearly all season, and had only lost two games in regulation heading into the showcase. They have three of the top ten players in the league scoring race and also have a rotation of three goaltenders that could start just about anywhere else in the league; heck, their scratches each night could make up the starting lineup for many teams. Even with so many good players on their roster, they continue to pick up more good players; as they recently gobbled up Trevor Tracy, a huge, skilled forward from Des Moines in the Tier I USHL and also defenseman Wayne Ravdjee out of the NAHL’s Kenai River. They can essentially lose about every game left on their schedule and still make it into the playoffs. They however did drop their first game of the tournament, a 4-1 loss to the Mid-West leading El Paso Rhinos. El Paso used its speed to expose the bigger defenseman of the Monsters’. They moved the puck with speed east to west and it opened up plenty of lanes. Other teams would be smart to purchase the video of the El Paso game, and try to use the same strategy to slay the proverbial “Goliath”.
Key Players: Goaltender Matt Anderson is 13-0-1 and looked rather impressive in a shootout against Valencia earlier in the year. Defenseman Matt Prigge was a very good pick up from the NORPAC and forward Trevor Tracy will be on their top line very soon.
Standings Prediction: Not much of a prediction here, this team will finish the regular season first place in the west.
2. Idaho Jr. Steelheads (23-2-3, 4-0)
The Jr. Steelheads could be the best coached team in the league, as Coach John Olver has done a fantastic job all season. They move the puck better than any team I’ve seen on the power play, and their defense is not flashy but seems to make all the right plays. Goaltending is very solid, as Spenser Brown has three shutouts and has been fantastic night in and night out. They were the only team other than the Flyers to go undefeated for the showcase, and with one of the toughest schedule to boot. The Jr. Steelheads opened the showcase with a win 3-2 over division rival San Diego, before beating both El Paso and Phoenix on the same day. They finished up by beating up on the up and coming Boulder Bison 5-1. Look for Idaho to push Fresno for first late in the season.
Key Players: The aforementioned goaltender Spenser Brown is the best I’ve seen all year, as he makes the first save every time and kicks all rebounds into the corner. Defenseman Michael Washington could be the best pound for pound fighter in the league and fellow defenseman Ryan Maul won’t get a lot of publicity but seems to always make the right play and never be out of position. Forward Nate Stanley is the best passer in the league without a doubt and he always finds the big Swede Viktor Karlsson, who rarely fails to convert.
Standings Prediction: They will come close to Fresno, but finish in second place for the regular season.
3. San Diego Gulls (20-9-2, 1-3) -
The San Diego Gulls are an interesting team, as they can look like the best team in the league some days, and others they look a little flat. The group could have the most raw talent in the league, but they don’t play a very organized game. They had a tough schedule in the showcase but managed to stay in every game, beating only the Boulder Bison, who are a mirror image of the Gulls in the Mid-West. San Diego is the best team in the league on faceoff’s, as Brian Finn won 31 of 32 draws over two games in Valencia the last time San Diego was in town. Their defense is also very solid and big, as Weston Cydell and Cassidy April are two of the top five defenseman in the league, and both play a rough game. Jonathan Neal is a smaller defenseman but plays a quick game, moves the puck well and gets the power play moving. Goaltending has been an issue as Alex Corbin has struggled at times and looked great at others. On offense the Gulls can roll four lines as well as anyone else in the league and they have plenty of speed to burn with Brendon Dyok, Ian Redlinger, Eric Obinger and Jarryd Ramborger. If San Diego can come out on top of some more one goal games, look for them to make a run in the playoffs.
Key Players: Forward Brendon Dyok had the best goal of the showcase, going end to end and beating the El Paso goaltender at a pivotal point in the game. Defenseman Weston Cydell could be the best overall player in the WSHL and has a cannon of a shot, he also is not afraid to drop the gloves. Lastly, Forward AJ Grabowski has an uncanny ability to get assists on the score sheet, if there is a San Diego goal, you can expect to see #19 with an assist.
Standings Prediction: San Diego is one of the top teams in the league, no doubt about that, but Phoenix has games in hand and it looks like they may catch and pass the Gulls for the third spot in the division. I give San Diego the 4th and final playoff spot, with Valencia nipping at their heels.
4. Phoenix Polar Bears (25-10-3,1-2-1) -
The seven-time defending champion Phoenix Polar Bears are always at or near the top of the WSHL standings and this year is no exception. However, other teams in the league have caught up to them in regards to recruiting and level of play. Phoenix is tied for the least amount of games played in the league, so look for them to make a run up the standings in the second half. As usual they are well coached, and play a physical yet fast brand of hockey. Their Achilles heel could be the fact that sometimes the Polar Bears struggle to put games away against lesser opponents. In the showcase, they dropped the opener 3-2 to a very fast Boulder team and continued on to lose a close to Fresno (who they’ve beaten twice). They also played in the best game of the showcase, losing 2-1 to Idaho in a nine-round shootout. They did however have a big win over El Paso, by being very physical with a smaller team. They lost one of their best players and Captain Elliott Repka when he moved on, but Rick Wozniak and John Marsters have picked up the slack. On defense DJ Benjamin is a quick but can also play the body well. Goaltender Casey O’Connor was very impressive in their victory over El Paso. With plenty of games upcoming against their neighbor Arizona Redhawks, look for Phoenix to shoot up the standings in early January.
Key Players: Colin Frederickson caught my eye in Las Vegas. I’m used to seeing him play defense but he made a solid rugged forward, who was always in front of the net. Luke Burgstahler does not put up huge numbers, but is always around the puck in the offensive end.
Standings Prediction: The Polar Bears will pass San Diego and make a run at Idaho, but fall shot finishing in third place.
6. Long Beach Bombers (11-17-5, 2-1-1) -
The Long Beach Bombers have one of the best top lines in the league. They rely heavily on the efforts of Jimmy and Timmy Linehan, who play between center Nolan Hopkins. Hopkins and Johnny have 42 points on the season, while younger brother Timmy has 37. Beyond the first line they lack talent but make up for it with hard work. Elvis Suquette never takes a shift off and is usually found on the score sheet nightly. On defense Curtis Fisher makes a good first pass, that leads the top line up the ice with ease. JP Fecteau is one of the top goalies in the league, as the native of Canada has the quickest glove in the west. They will not make the post season this year, but have the ability to play spoiler, as they have proven that can take down any team in the division.
Key Players: Alex Jaeger is a former Flyer and is a big presence on the ice. If they can get secondary scoring out of him, look for Long Beach to make a run. Rick Barbeau is also one of their better forwards but has only tallied one assist in 18 games played.
Standings Prediction: Long Beach has a chance to catch the Flyers for fifth place, which really means nothing. The Long Beach/Valencia rivalry has become one of the best in the league.
7. Bakersfield Jr. Condors (6-23-2,1-2-2) -
The Jr. Condors flexed their muscles the last time they visited Valencia, winning 8-0 in their best win of the season. The team is coached by two professional hockey veterans, in Scott Hay and Paul Willett and plays a physical brand of hockey every night. RJ Preisser, Jake Commeau and AJ Ramirez make up a pretty solid power play, as each guy can stick handle thru a picket fence, but rarely do they convert. The team has struggled in its inaugural season but they will be fun to watch down the stretch as a rivalry brews with Fresno. Brenden Kelso is their best defenseman and he plays a very solid two way game. Their most interesting player is Toru Matsuoka, from Tokyo, Japan. He is very skilled with the puck but has looked timid against bigger opponents. Matsuoka is one of the nicest guys in the league, as he always seems like he is having a ton of fun on the ice and never complains about playing time or being a healthy scratch. Tough guy Brandon Bullett is the most feared fighter in the league but is also a very respectful guy just playing his role. Between the pipes Michael Pittman has the ability to steal games for Bakersfield, as the 5’11 net minder has had little help on the back end but makes some incredible saves.
Key Players: Mike Conner and Matt Butler both have the skill to put up big numbers and Bakersfield will need each two if they want to move up the standings. Jeff Dill does a fantastic job playing the agitator as the forward continually gets under the opponents skin and almost always draws a retaliatory penalty.
Standings Prediction: Bakersfield does not have enough fire power to get out of seventh place this year, but look for them to make a move next season, as recruiting will definitely beef up.
8. Arizona Redhawks (4-22-2, 1-2-2) -
The Arizona Redhawks are also in their first year of existence and are also struggling. They only have four wins on the season but played tough in Sin City. Their coaches realize there will be some growing pains and have shown some patients in a young squad. Arizona plays in the shadow of the Phoenix Polar Bears, as both teams sometimes share the same facility in Peoria, so recruiting may be tough. They lost to New Mexico in a shootout, in a game that pitted the leagues bottom two teams against one another. They however surprised Bakersfield and beat them 4-3. Chris Gartner has a very good shot and Stetson Matthews has a very good set of hands but can’t seem to finish. John Mullin is always around the puck and Kelly Duke is a very smooth skater. Goaltender Larkin Saalfrank is another goalie that flies under the radar due to poor numbers, but can more than steal a game on any given night. Arizona’s struggles will continue in the second half, but just like Bakersfield they will have their day sooner than later.
Key Players: Defenseman Nicholas Zern is a very solid skater and has a boomer of a shot. Ryan Greenspan leads them in scoring and is a big body in front of the net.
Standings Prediction: They will finish in last place but look for Arizona to gut out a few wins and maybe even take down one of the league’s top teams.
MID- WEST DIVISION
1. El Paso Rhinos (32-5-0, 2-2) -
The El Paso Rhinos have been the top team in the Mid-West all season and do not look like they will relinquish that title. They consistently roll four lines over the boards and could very well be the fastest team in the league. They played the most anticipated game of the showcase, in a 4-1 win over Fresno with a capacity crowd on hand. The Rhinos used their speed and fore check to force turnovers deep in the Fresno zone and jumped on every chance they got. The win was huge, but also may come up roses for El Paso in the playoffs, as they essentially have a blue print for how to beat the Monsters. Austin Balko is the fastest player in the league and never stops moving. Nick Gualano is the league leader in scoring and shoots from everywhere and usually ends up scoring. The Swede Tim Avegard is very good with the puck and makes great passes from the wing. Tyler Ridgedell plays a very physical game and never misses a chance to throw the weight around. On defense Josh Deloach is undersized but is the power play quarterback and moves the puck with ease. Max Dizgun has lost only one game in net and stood on his head in Vegas. They beat bigger teams in Fresno and San Diego but the systems of Phoenix and Idaho ousted the Rhinos.
Key Players: Nick Gualano is a force to be reckoned with and will win the league scoring race. He sports a beauty of a lumberjack beard and backs it up, playing a tough game. Andrew Ketterer gets his shot through on demand and usually finds nylon.
Standings Prediction: El Paso is the Fresno of the Mid-West. They will run away with the division and have an advantage over Fresno, already beating them once, should the two teams meet in the Thorne Cup.
2. Boulder Bison (21-13-0, 1-3) -
The Boulder Bison were the most eye-opening team of the showcase for myself. They are almost as fast as El Paso and move the puck equally as well. Their defense plays the body and is also a good counter-punch, as they rush right back the other way off turnovers. I’m amazed that this team can’t stick with El Paso and be at the top of the standings as well. Coach Brent Cullaton is one of the nicest guys around and has his boys playing a very fast brand of hockey, not to mention they have some of the best jerseys in the league. They started off the showcase with a solid victory over Phoenix, before losing three straight in close games to Fresno and San Diego before a 5-1 beating from Idaho. This team has the skill to beat anyone on any night, and do it often. AJ Tesoriero leads them in scoring and is good at both ends. Buddy Dominski is the captain and also a very good center man, his line mate Jordan Roberts is big enough to play a physical game but skilled enough to play a quick one. Derek Scanlon is one of the best skilled d-men in the league and scores in loads. Goaltending has been up and down but this team can get on a roll in a heartbeat, as they are my upset pick to win the Thorne Cup.
Key Players: Daniel Turgeon was playing hurt in Vegas but is a big boy that can skate, shoot and stick handle. If he can add secondary scoring playing on a line with Roberts and Dominski, look out. Jamison Wicks made the nicest pass of the showcase without a shadow of a doubt, as on a power play he skated it across the Phoenix line. A simple head fake sent two Phoenix players falling all over the ice as he continued to fake a shot and slide a pass cross-crease to Dominski who buried it.
Standings Prediction: They will finish in second place, but I’m saying it now, if Boulder can buy into Cullaton’s system and keep their speed and passing; this team can very easily win the Thorne Cup.
3. Tulsa Rampage (13-17-1, 2-2) -
The Tulsa Rampage have a rough and tumble team and they look as though they can easily play atop the division but continually make mistakes that forfeit them games. They also drop games they should win consistently against San Antonio and New Mexico. Tom Whetsel and Bobby Watson play on a line together and are their top two leaders in scoring, as both never miss an opportunity to get the puck on net. The defense is a little suspect, as no skater really stood out, as a top pairing does not really exist. Goaltending is good as Vincent DiCarlo and Jimmy Lemming both played well under the bright lights. They lost to the Flyers and Long Beach in regulation, and beat both Arizona and Bakersfield. If they want to go anywhere they need to beat the teams they should, but if they get into the playoffs look for this team to make some noise, as their style seems to be effective when played right.
Key Players: Coleman Ashworth was picked up form Fresno after not getting much playing time. As he progresses and gets more playing time he will become one of the top scorers on a team in need of some goals.
Standings Prediction: They will finish in third place, but a nice rivalry with San Antonio is budding as both teams play each other tough.
4. San Antonio Diablos (12-21-1, 3-1) -
The Diablos are playing in what has become a hot bed of hockey. San Antonio and all of Texas has produced dozens of solid WSHL players and continues to churn out more all over the state. The AHL’s Rampage play nearby and the team could benefit from a relationship there. The Diablos have the ability to beat anyone but struggle to pull things together. The defense is the strong suit as Cameron Hope plays an “in your face” style and makes smart plays. Kevin Morrison can fly on the back end and creates opportunities with his feet; he also has a very good poke check. Forward Taylor Abbott does nothing but score goals and Captain Matt Guffey had the scouts drooling over his two way game. They won three games on the weekend by beating teams they should, something that they need to continue to do. The Flyers took it to them however, proving this team is not much of a playoff contender. They need to start beating Tulsa and New Mexico with ease to move up the standings, which is very plausible.
Key Players: Kevin Eastwood is an unheralded forward who always gets to the net and battles in the corners. Jordan Sellar is a skilled forward and Patrick Grace is another quick defenseman to watch.
Standings Prediction: The Diablos will be beaten by Tulsa down the stretch and remain in fourth place and get the final playoff spot. At the moment, if San Antonio were in the Western Division, they would be ahead of only Arizona and Bakersfield. But a playoff spot is a playoff spot, and this team can hang with El Paso.
5. New Mexico Renegades (6-27-1, 1-3) -
The Renegades are also another first year franchise that has not played well. However, you would never know it by looking at their players. Not once over the entire weekend, and I had the privilege of doing three of their four games over the four days, did any of their players yell, scream, slam a stick, etc. in anger or frustration. They have plenty of reasons to be upset, as a tough first season has taken its toll but these kids should be commended on how they play shift after shift as if they’re in the playoff hunt. They lost three games in which they were outplayed but got a lift on an Alec Hancock overtime goal to beat Arizona. Their top line, which I coined the “Triple-D Line” consists of DJ Pyle, Derek Pellett and Daren Glover and they create tons of chances. Forward Dan Bogdan plays the point on the power play and does a great job of distributing the puck. Defenseman John Connolly is from Scotland and is a good puck moving d-man. Matt Pipkins is a big boy and if he can learn to use his size can definitely be a force in this league. Colton Ishmael, Joe Jagers and Herbert Kyles are all solid goaltender who can keep their team in games they wouldn’t be in otherwise. New Mexico is far from one of the top teams in the league but they play hard and would love to play spoiler down the stretch.
Key Players: Alec Hancock is undersized but a nifty player, however he needs to shoot the puck more. Dan Bogdan is a left shot and he’s got a good release on a half slap shot.
Standings Prediction: They will not get out of the cellar but will soon be right up there with Tulsa and San Antonio.
