WeakSauce
12-04-2007, 06:34 AM
Disclaimer- this is one man's opinion, meant to give some insight to those who lack it. I can (and probably will) be completely wrong on some of the things I say, but I feel I've had a better, more personal look at these teams than any on this board.
I know that the California teams are unknown, but in regards to them, the rankings so far look as though they've been pulled from a hat. Why rank them at all if you know nothing of them?
The two teams operating out of San Jose have the fact that it is San Jose (thus a generally larger pull) then the East Bay or Sacramento teams, respectively. Look for the San Jose Pirates and NorCal Mustangs to have more depth than the Sacramento Saxons and East Bay Jawz.
I know and have seen most every player on every team play, and I know it's really irrelevant, but just to give those who dont know anything about the California teams an idea, here's my West power rankings. (Pro Only)
Forwards:
1. San Jose Pirates
It's really pick your poison with this offense. You have speed in Eric Rios and Sean Kotsubo, sniping ability in Jeremy Mamon, and presence and hard work in Dustin Tilbury and Jon King. Really a well rounded, solid group.
2. East Bay Jaws
The Kennedy brothers (Casey and Kevin) lead this group, along with Gavin Klatt and Benji Caliz. They are all quick, smooth skaters, and have chemistry on their side.
3. Nor Cal Mustangs
Travis Suyeishi is always a threat when on the rink, it will take a lot to contain him. Javi Martinez is a gritty, hard working player with a scoring touch, and look for Chris Sebastien to get on the board with some regularity.
4. Sacramento Saxons
The Grindstaff brothers (Scott and Andrew) are probably the main threats on this team as far as goals, and many will attest that they are an intimidating duo. Look for David Holm and Drew Romanovich for secondary scoring.
Defensemen:
1. San Jose Pirates
Amazingly enough, I feel the Pirates' main strength lies in their defense. From what I've heard, they will be rolling 4 defensemen, and all are outstanding. Kelly Spain is elusive with the puck, and is a threat to take it end to end. Logan Martinez, Adam Dekeyrel, and Jon Drake are all big bodies with bigger shots, all perfectly comfortably quarterbacking at both ends of the rink.
2. Sacramento Saxons
A lot of the Saxons scoring should come from the defense of Matt Van Atta and Nate Moran, two very versatile, very offensive minded defensemen. Both Darren Maeda and Matt Brown look to be very capable defensive defensemen, and you can never underestimate a veteran like Phil Schweiger. Overall, a very well rounded corps.
3. Nor Cal Mustangs
Travis Hawkins will be the focal point of this defense, and will probably be the teams quaterback in general. Joe Fritz on the offensive side and Trevor Kleinsmid on the defensive side round out a talented, but shallow, corps.
4. East Bay Jawz
CJ Gamble is a steady defenseman that can score a few, but most of the East Bay defense is untested. It will be interesting to see how they play out, they have the ability to suprise.
Goaltending:
1. Nor Cal Mustangs
Goaltending will be the strength of the Mustangs, as I feel they will be in many low scoring affairs this season. Matt Pamidi and Ryan Linnane are arguably the best two goalies in the division, and together they form a formidible last line of defense.
2. San Jose Pirates
Joe Finegan and Steven Barker are no slouches, as the Pirates definately have two very proven backstops. Finegan, when on, can be unstoppable, but I would consider him less consistent then the duo the Mustangs are rolling with.
3. Sacramento Saxons
Wil Fortenberry and Golkalp Gurer form the tag team for Sacramento. The big questions here are if Wil can regain his form after a bit of a layoff, and if Golkalp can stand up to the pressure as the youngest goalie in the division.
4. East Bay Jaws
Sean Rakow is a solid netminder, but admittedly, I know little of the goaltending of either Jason Longbine or Kevin Smith. Until they can prove otherwise, I'm forced to place them at the bottom of the pile here.
Overall:
1. San Jose Pirates
2. Nor Cal Mustangs
3. Sacramento Saxons
4. East Bay Jaws
Although the Pirates have an overwhelming amount of weapons, and should be the preseason favorite to win this division, I really feel that spots 2-4 are fairly interchangeable. This is as best I can predict it looking at the end of the season.
I know that the California teams are unknown, but in regards to them, the rankings so far look as though they've been pulled from a hat. Why rank them at all if you know nothing of them?
The two teams operating out of San Jose have the fact that it is San Jose (thus a generally larger pull) then the East Bay or Sacramento teams, respectively. Look for the San Jose Pirates and NorCal Mustangs to have more depth than the Sacramento Saxons and East Bay Jawz.
I know and have seen most every player on every team play, and I know it's really irrelevant, but just to give those who dont know anything about the California teams an idea, here's my West power rankings. (Pro Only)
Forwards:
1. San Jose Pirates
It's really pick your poison with this offense. You have speed in Eric Rios and Sean Kotsubo, sniping ability in Jeremy Mamon, and presence and hard work in Dustin Tilbury and Jon King. Really a well rounded, solid group.
2. East Bay Jaws
The Kennedy brothers (Casey and Kevin) lead this group, along with Gavin Klatt and Benji Caliz. They are all quick, smooth skaters, and have chemistry on their side.
3. Nor Cal Mustangs
Travis Suyeishi is always a threat when on the rink, it will take a lot to contain him. Javi Martinez is a gritty, hard working player with a scoring touch, and look for Chris Sebastien to get on the board with some regularity.
4. Sacramento Saxons
The Grindstaff brothers (Scott and Andrew) are probably the main threats on this team as far as goals, and many will attest that they are an intimidating duo. Look for David Holm and Drew Romanovich for secondary scoring.
Defensemen:
1. San Jose Pirates
Amazingly enough, I feel the Pirates' main strength lies in their defense. From what I've heard, they will be rolling 4 defensemen, and all are outstanding. Kelly Spain is elusive with the puck, and is a threat to take it end to end. Logan Martinez, Adam Dekeyrel, and Jon Drake are all big bodies with bigger shots, all perfectly comfortably quarterbacking at both ends of the rink.
2. Sacramento Saxons
A lot of the Saxons scoring should come from the defense of Matt Van Atta and Nate Moran, two very versatile, very offensive minded defensemen. Both Darren Maeda and Matt Brown look to be very capable defensive defensemen, and you can never underestimate a veteran like Phil Schweiger. Overall, a very well rounded corps.
3. Nor Cal Mustangs
Travis Hawkins will be the focal point of this defense, and will probably be the teams quaterback in general. Joe Fritz on the offensive side and Trevor Kleinsmid on the defensive side round out a talented, but shallow, corps.
4. East Bay Jawz
CJ Gamble is a steady defenseman that can score a few, but most of the East Bay defense is untested. It will be interesting to see how they play out, they have the ability to suprise.
Goaltending:
1. Nor Cal Mustangs
Goaltending will be the strength of the Mustangs, as I feel they will be in many low scoring affairs this season. Matt Pamidi and Ryan Linnane are arguably the best two goalies in the division, and together they form a formidible last line of defense.
2. San Jose Pirates
Joe Finegan and Steven Barker are no slouches, as the Pirates definately have two very proven backstops. Finegan, when on, can be unstoppable, but I would consider him less consistent then the duo the Mustangs are rolling with.
3. Sacramento Saxons
Wil Fortenberry and Golkalp Gurer form the tag team for Sacramento. The big questions here are if Wil can regain his form after a bit of a layoff, and if Golkalp can stand up to the pressure as the youngest goalie in the division.
4. East Bay Jaws
Sean Rakow is a solid netminder, but admittedly, I know little of the goaltending of either Jason Longbine or Kevin Smith. Until they can prove otherwise, I'm forced to place them at the bottom of the pile here.
Overall:
1. San Jose Pirates
2. Nor Cal Mustangs
3. Sacramento Saxons
4. East Bay Jaws
Although the Pirates have an overwhelming amount of weapons, and should be the preseason favorite to win this division, I really feel that spots 2-4 are fairly interchangeable. This is as best I can predict it looking at the end of the season.