Done's Corner

Welcome to The Corner! From someone some 400 miles away in another state, who has yet to see or play a game this year, here are my thoughts…

I cannot wait until June 21st.

Welcome to all the new players this year in the XHL. Looks like lots of quality talent joining the league from what I hear and helping it to grow bigger and better.
It has rained a few times, that is nothing new. Unfortunately, none of the rainouts were on the nights the Colonials were to play. However, there are more opportunities for that to happen.

I heard that some people were complaining about the Colonials schedule. Not a surprise. Some people in this league find anything to complain about.

Never thought I’d actually be a Colonial in all my years in the league. That is pretty much completely against Contenders policy but I suppose those days are far enough in the past. Have to take what you can get.

As anticipated the Maniax are still the XHL’s glamour team. I do think they can be beat. They were beat last year.

No surprise that the players from Reynoldsville are tearing it up for the Cyclones. Good to see some solid players joining the Venom to make that team better. Also impressive is the fact that they did not let the Maniax mercy rule them. That alone is a win for many teams.

Surprised to hear Mike Berta would somehow get a penalty shot. Then I heard PK was on the court when it happened and I knew why.

Glad to see I may still have a chance at winning the Ben Rossi Jewelers watch. That may change drastically after this week though.

Thrilled to see the playoffs expanded to six teams. The opening round of the playoffs will probably be more exciting than the finals. Now if only we could get that offsides eliminated things would be just about perfect.

Speaking of perfect, I know the reffing isn’t perfect. It isn’t in any hockey league. Anyone who thinks they could do a better job...what are you waiting for?

Finally, Pat Keller, please remember to tape your socks well on June 21st so you don’t trip over them on your way to being reintroduced to my shoulder. I don’t want to hear any excuses.

I’ll also go ahead and join Berta in making predictions for this week’s upcoming games.

Monday’s contests…

Sting 6 Colonials 10
From what I can understand about the Sting, this will be a fairly close game. But I can’t doubt my own team.

Swashbucklers 0 Rogue 15
Coming off a loss, Rogue will look to put together a perfect game and will accomplish that task. They may not reach 15, but I do see a shutout for certain.

Phantoms 16 High Rollers 1
Muff will be daydreaming about something and let in at least 1. But this game will not be close. Todd Brown lights it up.

Maniax 14 Cyclones 4
Cyclones will stay in it for awhile. Maniax will pull away at some point. I would love to be wrong.

Sharks 5 Hot Shots 12
The loosing streak will not end for the Sharks this time against the red hot Hot Shots. Pat Keller’s left sock falls down but the right stays up.
Wednesday’s contests…

Venom 1 Rogue 13
Rogue takes their loss to the Hot Shots out on yet another team. Chance of a shutout here, but I don’t see the Venom going out empty handed.

Sting 12 Swashbucklers 4
Tough prediction here when I have seen neither team play before. My instinct tells me Sting.

Cyclones 13 High Rollers 2
Cyclones will tear this one up. Anschutz keeps the Reynoldsville line intact and tells Anderson to worry about managing his own team.

Sharks 1 Maniax 16
Maniax games are almost boring to predict. Halpin falls asleep against 1 of 6 shots he faces. Bert blocks everything else.

Final Thoughts…There are only a handful of games this week I see having a close outcome. If I am wrong, that will be a good thing. More Maniax players will move up in the scoring ranks. Rogue goalies will move up in the goalie ranks. But who doesn’t know that already?

Gentlemen, play your best this week and have some fun.