Post by Chris - Capitals on Apr 22, 2013 14:20:12 GMT -5
As we embark on the final week of the NAFHL’s playoffs we have two very familiar teams facing each other in the finals for the right to be crowned NAFHL Champion 2013. The San Jose Sharks are meeting the Ottawa Senators in the grudge match to end all grudge matches perhaps only a Carolina vs. Boston could have been more intriguing.
In their only match up in this lockout abbreviated season Nos beat out Derrick 7-2 the matchup was not at that point known to be a preview of the championship. Nos scored a whopping 10 more goals in the match up to go along with 35 more PIM. While squeaking out wins in the Power Play Points, Game winning goals, Goals Against Average, and Save percentage categories.
However that matchup alone could not tell the story of what is to come in the following week. Derrick has gotten back from the abyss a rejuvenated Alexander Ovechkin whose goal scoring exploits are matching up to his deadly 65 goal season. He now has scored 22 goals in his last 20 games to come roaring down the stretch. At the deadline Derrick was also able to shore up his Center position by snagging silky smooth playmaker in Mike Ribeiro who has come on of late with a goal and seven assists in his last five contest.
Teemu Selanne with only one point in his last five games is looking at one last kick at the championship is hoping that he can start finding the score sheet more frequently to help his team out down the stretch. What would a playoff series matchup be without story lines though with former San Jose Shark players in P.K. Subban and Scott Hartnell playing for Ottawa both looking to show their old team that it may have been a mistake to let them go.
The big question surrounding San Jose at the moment, who finished in 1st place this season and securing home ice throughout the playoffs, is in his super star Sidney Crosby who has missed a good portion of this season due to a puck he took in the jaw a few weeks back. We have seen him on the ice practicing but have no word yet as to whether he will be able to play in this years final. Not to worry though Steven Stamkos is always ready to light the lamp along with a bevy of additional supporting players this San Jose team could be one of the deepest goal scoring wise in the league.
With the likes of Stamkos, Nash, Semin, Iginla, Staal, and Moulson San Jose scored a total of 192 goals in this shortened season 2nd only to of course Ottawa. They were able to pile on 341 assists 40 more than his closest competitor once again of course Ottawa. The strength of this team would have to be with his Goaltending with two solid starters in Quick and Schneider Nos has been able to run with the same pair since the trade deadline where he moved Roberto Luongo for some more offense in Alex Semin who is having somewhat of a rejuvenated season after his past few with Washington.
At the publication of this article neither manager has been reached for a comment those comments should be coming in later tonight and published tomorrow however should make for an interesting read for sure.
In their only match up in this lockout abbreviated season Nos beat out Derrick 7-2 the matchup was not at that point known to be a preview of the championship. Nos scored a whopping 10 more goals in the match up to go along with 35 more PIM. While squeaking out wins in the Power Play Points, Game winning goals, Goals Against Average, and Save percentage categories.
However that matchup alone could not tell the story of what is to come in the following week. Derrick has gotten back from the abyss a rejuvenated Alexander Ovechkin whose goal scoring exploits are matching up to his deadly 65 goal season. He now has scored 22 goals in his last 20 games to come roaring down the stretch. At the deadline Derrick was also able to shore up his Center position by snagging silky smooth playmaker in Mike Ribeiro who has come on of late with a goal and seven assists in his last five contest.
Teemu Selanne with only one point in his last five games is looking at one last kick at the championship is hoping that he can start finding the score sheet more frequently to help his team out down the stretch. What would a playoff series matchup be without story lines though with former San Jose Shark players in P.K. Subban and Scott Hartnell playing for Ottawa both looking to show their old team that it may have been a mistake to let them go.
The big question surrounding San Jose at the moment, who finished in 1st place this season and securing home ice throughout the playoffs, is in his super star Sidney Crosby who has missed a good portion of this season due to a puck he took in the jaw a few weeks back. We have seen him on the ice practicing but have no word yet as to whether he will be able to play in this years final. Not to worry though Steven Stamkos is always ready to light the lamp along with a bevy of additional supporting players this San Jose team could be one of the deepest goal scoring wise in the league.
With the likes of Stamkos, Nash, Semin, Iginla, Staal, and Moulson San Jose scored a total of 192 goals in this shortened season 2nd only to of course Ottawa. They were able to pile on 341 assists 40 more than his closest competitor once again of course Ottawa. The strength of this team would have to be with his Goaltending with two solid starters in Quick and Schneider Nos has been able to run with the same pair since the trade deadline where he moved Roberto Luongo for some more offense in Alex Semin who is having somewhat of a rejuvenated season after his past few with Washington.
At the publication of this article neither manager has been reached for a comment those comments should be coming in later tonight and published tomorrow however should make for an interesting read for sure.