Division Ranking Predictions

[thepredictor]

Northeast Division

1. Boston Swamp Rats - obviously the returning PIHA champs have to be the early favorite

2. Long Island 495'ers - Long Island is just a major hotbed for roller hockey

3. Conneticut Blaze - Pinheiro and company can be tough to beat

4. Marple Gladiators - The studs of ECRHA d2 will pull in the last playoff spot

5. Massachusettes Bombers - Look to be strong but will be ousted in the final week

6. Hartford Fire Ants - Look to be stuck in a tough division

Atlantic Division

1. Philadelphia Growl - 2 time champs just revamped and made their roster even better

2. NJ Stampede - Look to be extremely strong with their decisive preseason wins over Feasterville

3. Aston Demolition - New look great team made up of most of the Gladiators from last year

4. NJ Grizzlies - Will squeeze their way into the playoffs

5. Feasterville Fury - Will miss the playoffs again. Roster improved but to many major losses in personnel

6. NE Philadelphia Revolution - In a division that is going to be way to tough for them to withstand

Mason Dixon

1. Pittsburgh Bandits - They will not falter again in the playoffs to the Lunatics

2. Harrisburg Lunatics - Seniority will carry them through but youth will beat age

3. Potomac Mavericks - Welcome to PIHA and they show everybody why they belong

4. Winchester Generals - Former MLRH players all over will definately give all the teams a scare

5. Scottsdale Inferno - With the Bandits so close there isn't enough talent for them to survive

6. Maryland Knights - No information really available could be the bottom or a true sleeper

Southeast

1. Raleigh Assault - Early favorites with a great roster

2. South Carolina Pirates - Should be equally as strong as the Assault

3. Savannah Stingers - Should be interesting year in this new division give them guys from Georgia and Alabama a shot

4. Richmond Robins - Will get their first taste of playoffs in PIHA

5. York Typhoon - New division same team thats falling apart like last year

Gateway

1. Southside Snipers - Early favorite as the league finalist last year

2. Midwest Tornadoes - Could very well be the best in the division

3. Chicago Untouchables - Chicago has some major talent there should do well

4. St Louis Cobras - Could very well squeak in as the thrid st louis team

5. River City Whalers - Could be the other third st louis team in the playoffs

6. Cinncinatti Flying Monkeys - Still way overmatched in a phenominal division

Rocky Mountain

1. Colorado Springs Thunder - CJ and Brian will not miss the playoffs and will win their division

2. Littleton Fire - Should be a very good team this year

3. Parker Prowlers - New name and location will be solid

4. Fort Collins Catz - Last team in this division

5. Westminster Blizzard - Somebody has to get left out each year

PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST - Don't know much about these teams so I cant say


Lets hear them thoughts boys

[Wingman]

Nice picks... let me expand a little on the Mason Dixon division.

Pittsburgh and Harrisburg are most likely to be the two best teams in their division, Scottsdale I've never seen so I don't know how well they're do. As for Winchester, Potomac, and Maryland they'll be bringing a lot of MLRH talent from last season. The Winchester Generals has some Virginia Wings (last MLRH season's "Maryland Crush" competitors for division champions) players, and some other local talent, some of which on the Shennendoah Valley Eagles travel hockey team. The Potomac Mavericks have one of the finest travel hockey teams I've seen, I expect them to do very well this season. (despite the DC Mad Dogs unfavorable season record in the MLRH) And as for the Maryland Knights, I'm guessing they're mostly if not entirely all Maryland Crush (last season's MLRH champions) players, I definetly expect a lot of talent from this team.

I think our division will be pretty tight this season, I expect a lot of close games.

[growl89]

nice breakdown, i do not however agree about Feasterville. I feel as though they will be challenging the Growl and Stampede for the division.

They picked up 3 of the Blazes best players (stracuzzi and the Kulls')

they picked up Brian Fisher and Mike catalano from us (Growl) Dont underestimate these 2 guys, because they can play.

They also picked up one of the best minor league guys the growl had to offer in Chris Altomere. Any other team last season, he would have been playing pro.


I think this team will suprise many this year....

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

As the owner of the Fury I can say that in my opinion we will do fine this season. People speculated we would be in dead last in our division last year. I have no problem with them ranking us that low. We will do our talking on the floor. Just to rehash a little of last year. FRANK FRANK would you like to RO-SHAM-BO for last place!

By the way Billy where do you see the teams in our division standing?

Jeff

[thepredictor]

Jeff since you are so confident where do you think you will end up?

[phil29]

its a whole new season so how can you judge who will finish what without seeing performances yet? a few preseason games shouldnt judge a teams season. my 2 cents.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

Phil29 I agree with you 100%. Obviously the predictor is part of a group of people who may not be a fan of mine. Oh well. I am confident that my team will be involved in the equation when it comes playoff time this year!

Jeff

[phil29]

with all the add/minus additions this year in the atlantic it should be a good year

[bauernike89]

Where does the Winchester Generals stand as far as competing ? Do they have any real Talent on that team? Who is going to be there Go to Guy?

[FrankFrank]

Jeff... you don't wanna Ro-sham-bo me again brother... you know I'll win. haha.

F~F

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

Yeah probably along with that beer you still owe me!

[GR8SK8r06]

The Rocky Mountain Division is well predicted with a minor change. The Thunder, if nobody has heard, has CJ, Brian, Jami Yoder, and Mike Ciolli, along with some mission militia guys. So they are by far the favorite, but the Fort Collins Catz dont look promising this year with the loss of major talent. So I would have to put them on the short end of the stick because the Blizzard have a very good team and could very well be 2 or 3!

[Wingman]

Where does the Winchester Generals stand as far as competing ? Do they have any real Talent on that team? Who is going to be there Go to Guy?

The Winchester Generals pro are:

Joe Bechmann
Tim Phillips
John Koch
Dustin Keener
Don Rowe
TJ Plaugher
Jeff Erlich
JP Alley (G)
Paul Bailey
Gary Cooper
Nate Ragaller
Josh Jay (G)
Sean Gaglione

I would say yes, we do have some real talent on our team and should be able to compete well in PIHA.

[growl89]

Jeff here are my somewhat unbiased ranking predictions for the Atlantic Divison

1. Growl - very seasoned team, did win the league 2 years in a row in 05 and 06, lots of experience and hungry after last years upset.

Who's In? Charlie Sgrillo (feastervilles leading scorer) Gene Gsell (marple stand out) Jimmy Redstreake (30 goals for the Bandits last year) Dan Quartucio (Savage Wolves Narch leading scorer, NCAA D3 SUNY Potsdam) Jake Cline (NCAA D3 Manhattanville) Matt Mckeon (savage wolves)

Who's out? Jimmy Vivona (retirement) Brian Fischer (Fury) Mike Catalano (Fury) Mike Sanchez (Scrappers) Jon Mosenson (L.I. 495ers)

X-Factor - Joey D'alosio - if he stays as consistent as he has been over the past 2 seasons then look for the Growl to be the division Champs.

2. Feasterville Fury - made some great pick - ups to deal with the loss of Charlie Sgrillo. If they can keep their full team together for home and road games, will challenge the Growl for the top spot.

Who's In? Brian Fischer (growl) Mike Catalano (growl) Carmello Stracuzzi (Blaze) Gary Kull (Blaze) Pudge Kull (Blaze) Jeff Columbo (Express) Chris Altomare (great young talent from the scrappers) Brandon Tunstall (pesky defenseman from scrappers) Anthony Merrigan (Scrappers talented defenseman) Dave Columbo (express) Neel Bhatla (Express)

Who's out? Charlie Sgrillo (Growl) Benny Dahms (Revolution)

X-factor - new faces coming together and playing consistent. This team looks VERY solid on paper, but can they gel together and be a force like we think?

3. NJ Stampede - with the rumored off season that these guys have had, look for them to be a contender this year. Formily the NJ Minutemen, they have started fresh with a pretty new roster and they appear to be ready to go. Great goaltending is the highlight of this team along with a very tough building to play in.

Who's In? Chris Havelock (moved back to NJ in time to hook back up with his old club) Felix Guzman (at one time was on the NJ Rockin Rollers Taxi team, will be great when hes back in shape) Sonny Kim (former Savage wolves and NJ scorpions star) Joe Tan (NJ Scorpions)

Who's out? Eric Namowicz (retirement) Mike Mitchell (Grizzlies)

X- home rink advantage, over the years, this has been one of the toughest buildings in the league to play in. There are a lot of new faces there this year that have played in this building before. If they use their rink to their advantage with their defensive system, they will be in a lot of games and win even more.

4. NJ Grizzlies - This team likes the youngsters and this off season was no exception. A fast team that also plays in a tough place to be a visiting team. My bet is the grizzlies earn the last playoff spot in this tough division.

Who's In? JJ Fichter (Scrappers) Mike Mitchell (NJ Mimutemen)

Who's out? Eli Napolitano, Dale Sona, Brian Troholidays (Retired, coaching Growl)

X-factor J.J. Fichter - this kid can snipe, dangle and play make. If he plays like i have seen him play in minors, he will have no problem making a name for himself as a pro and should score lots of goals.

5. Aston Demolition - New team in the league this season, a lot of them played with the Marple Gladiators last season from what i have heard. This team has talent, i have personally played with and against most of these guys for years now. While i have them ranked at 5th, it would not suprise me if they were to finish 3 or 4.

Who do they have? Pat Barano (great 2-way defenseman) Jason Yocum (Yokes has proved himself in this league for years as a legitimate #1, when you think he's done, he always has a great next game) Bill Sherwood (drexel roller hockey standout, decent year for Marple last year, expect goals from him) Mike Roman (not many like him left, gritty player with a scoring touch)

X-factor- they have talent that is for sure, my only question is, are they deep enough for the grind of the whole seaon? I hope so, and we'll soon find out!

6. NE Revolution - Sorry i hate ranking teams last, but someone has to be last. Another new team in the league, that plays in one of, if not the toughest division in the league. My guess is that they will stay in some games that maybe they shouldn't because of solid goaltending. And others they may get blown out of. Either way, i wish them the best of luck..

Who do they have? Tom Conners (been a while since he played PIHA, but a great 2-way defenseman with a scoring touch) Nick Dipalo (solid goaltender fro Jr. Team USA that won torhs Pro D 2 two years ago) Benny Dahms (has a great rookie year in PIHA for the Fury)

X-factor - like i said earlier, goaltending will be the strength of this team. So if they have a good defensive strategy they will be in a lot of their games.


Thoughts? was i close?

Should be a fun season!!

[GROWL]

I tried to resist, but I'm gonna jump into the mix here. Last year I made some early season predictions and they were pretty on target by the end of the season.

Northeast Division

1. Mass Bombers - Already a tough team, but added a few of last seasons Rats guys. These guys will be the class of the division.

2. Long Island 495'ers - Mosenson, Tamburino, and Thompson. I wouldn't want to play this team when they shorten the bench.

3. Conneticut Blaze - They added some offensive help for johnny, but defensively they lost atleast an equal amount.

4. Boston Swamp Rats - Certainly not last years team, but with Hunt at the top, they will figure out how to win.

5. Marple Gladiators - Gonna be a tough game every night for opponents, but this is a very tough division.

6. Hartford Fire Ants - Still in a tough division... Will lose a lot of tight games, instead of a lot of blow outs.

Atlantic Division

1. Philadelphia Growl - Improved by addition and subtract, plus re-motivated.

2. NJ Stampede - There best addition this off-season was at GM. Neil Hecht will bring them what they have lacked since Vivona's days, the ability to keep talent around and interested.

3. Feasterville Fury - Serious improvements in talent made. This team looks talented, but also looks like it could spend a whole lot of time in the penalty box with some of these players.

4. Aston Demolition - Should be in a fight with the Grizzlies all season for the 4th place position. Edge to them however as they have playoff experience.

5. NJ Grizzlies - Will fight with Demolition for playoff spot. The head to head games against Aston will be crucial.


6. NE Philadelphia Revolution - There stregth is goaltending, so could shock a few teams, but not enough to make the playoffs.

Mason Dixon

1. Harrisburg Lunatics - The deepest team in the division, they will rise above.

2. Pittsburgh Bandits - Hardin will impress, but without the fly-ins they are second best in division now.

3. Potomac Mavericks - Mavericks always compete and Billy Harrington will have them ready.

4. Scottsdale Inferno - Maryland and WInchester are unknows, so I give the edge to the Inferno who always play bigger then everyone expects. Try beating this team twice in a row at Hotshots.

4. Winchester Generals - Not quite sure, but the buzz down south has them ahead of MD.

6. Maryland Knights - Again not a lot of information, but someone had to be last.

Southeast

1. South Carolina Pirates - A serious commitment to winning is apparent.

2. Raleigh Assault - Street and boyz should battle hard with SC all season for the top spot.

3. Richmond Robins - As long as they get out of the gate better, they will win more then they lose in 08. Look for serious improvement in a division that they can handle.

4. Savannah Stingers - Early speculation has them a bit weaker then SC and Raleigh, but what do I know I live in PA.

5. York Typhoon - Wins may be few and far between.

Gateway

Until their draft is complete and rosters are announced, we have nothing to go on here.

Rocky Mountain

1. Colorado Springs Thunder - Have to agree that they will not only make the playoffs this season, but dominate the division.

2. Westminster Blizzard - The most talented team in the division last season, fell short in the playoffs, but will emerge second best to Thunder.

3. Parker Prowlers - Shocked everyone last season but themselves, this season will be tougher

4. Fort Collins Catz - In a fight with Fire for last spot.

5. Littleton Fire - In a fight with Catz for last spot.


CA & SW are complete unknowns, wont waste my time guessing with no information.