I’ve watched every game, and it’s been fun! Sure, I might miss many things as I’ll be cooking, washing dishes, typing an article, doing research for a hiking trip – but hockey is always on. After a few weeks of play in the Western USPHL, certain teams are struggling to find their mojo while others are shining. But it’s a long season and nothing lasts forever…
NORTHWEST DIVISION
BELLINGHAM BLAZERS (0-8-1) Fire between the pipes! Between Brabender’s mean blocker and Baxter making an early bid for Save of the Year, the three lads in the blue paint have been feeling the fire, facing an average of nearly 50 shots per game.
ROCK SPRINGS PROSPECTORS (4-2-1) Boy’d, this team is good! This true expansion team’s leading scorer is a local product directly out of Rock Springs, Wyoming – so with talent this good, it’s a wonder why Broadway Burger Station hasn’t jumped on as a sponsor … for a Boyd’s Burger promotion?
ROGUE VALLEY ROYALS (0-5-0) Menace in Medford. Despite the beautiful sweaters and packed houses, it’s been a tough go for the Royals so far, but the season is early and Dawson Nelson has found his stride, putting up 7 points in just 5 games — and there’s glimpses of a team that is ready to turn it around and find the win category.
SEATTLE TOTEMS (7-0-0): Undefeated. I think the record speaks for itself – they’ve had some close calls – but with Lyrintzis playing set-up man, they’ve come out on top so far — also those sweaters look GREAT on TV.
VERNAL OILERS (4-0-0) Also Undefeated. Like a well-oiled machine, Vernal is firing on all cylinders, and Antonio Tarantino has only allowed 2 goals in 3 games on 90 shots – Northwest Division beware.
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
IDAHO FALLS SPUD KINGS (0-7-0) Taters gonna hate. Goaltending has been the bright spot, with Di Fiore and Shrimpton carrying a bulk of the weight, facing an average of 68 shots a game and standing on their heads – with the visiting DanK Show saying of Di Fiore “…this man is not human!?!”
NORTHERN COLORADO EAGLES (5-3-0) It’s Miller Time? Despite Ulric Roussel getting Lucic’d like he was Ryan Miller while visiting the Outliers, the Eagles have soared off to the top of the Division early on — yes, they’ve played more games — but the returning players have meshed well with the new guys and it shows – also, how about those SICK “Colorado” sweaters!?!
OGDEN MUSTANGS (4-1-0) Meure of the same. The Mustangs have picked up where they left off last year with returnees Jake Meure and Dimitri Voyatzis leading the team in scoring so far — it’s going to be a long season … for their opponents.
PROVO PREDATORS (1-3-0) Hockey is Provo is fun again! The reborn franchise in Provo packed the house in their inaugural game and you can tell things are changing for the better in Provo, Utah — they’ve picked up a win and the chemistry between the team is improving each game, so don’t be surprised when additional wins start to pile up.
PUEBLO BULLS (4-1-0) DanK Show Left Dazed! Yeah, the Bulls have a good record and pretty good team, but the DanK Show visited Pueblo for the first time and we’re left impressed and slightly dazed by the packed house in Pueblo, the crowd interactions, the on-ice and intermission interviews, and much much more of what the culture in Pueblo is all about – the real highlight so far though … seeing #62 retired and raised to the rafters.
UTAH OUTLIERS (4-0-1) Bon Jovi “It’s My Life, and it’s now or never…IT’S MY LIFE…” Watch this weekend’s games and you’ll understand – that song is still stuck in my damn head – that said … GM & HC Paul Taylor isn’t messing around this year — he’s built the team that’s advanced to Nationals in back-to-back years and with the way this team has already come out of the gates early in the season, he’s eyeing that sweet sweet three-peat.
PACIFIC DIVISION
BAKERSFIELD ROUGHNECKS (2-6-0) Rough start for the expansion franchise. The Roughnecks entered a strong division as an expansion team, yet have squeaked out two wins so far – a lot of this is due to the goaltending of Connor Dumesnil, who’s currently boasting a .929 SV%, and Robin Benoit who’s put up 11 points in just 8 games.
FRESNO MONSTERS (4-2-0) Monsters Inc. That’s the Pacific in a nutshell, Monster Inc. – this division has belonged to them back to their WSHL days and they look strong yet again – they’ve dropped a couple games so far due to some inconsistencies, but their defensive play is impressive and the shots they allow are fairly low threat.
LAKE TAHOE LAKERS (1-8-0) Wait and witness. This team is far better than their record indicates, they just need a few more weeks to percolate – then the Pacific should watch it’s back (also, maybe … just maybe, establish a tarp exit system so that “overexcited” fans don’t interact with opposing junior hockey players … food for thought)
LAS VEGAS T-BIRDS (4-2-0) Ready. Set. Vegas! Vegas is looking very good this year and should be at the top when it’s all said and done – speaking of which, Narek Aleksanyan has only played in 5 of their six games and leads the team in scoring with 16 points …16 POINTS! Martel, Bonaldi, Tourigny, Frack and St. Laurent aren’t doing too shabby either.
LONG BEACH SHREDDERS (3-6-2) The best defense is a good offense. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? I introduce to you: Yury Stalev.
ONTARIO JR REIGN (7-0-0) Undefeated. I dare to say, my early season prediction for the Pacific Division Champions this year – they’re heading to Nationals! I’ve been wrong before … but at the end of the day, this team has grit, skill, and Ethan McKibbin.
SAN DIEGO SABERS (7-2-0) Ethan Blackburn. You combine a goalie putting up Blackburn’s performances / numbers, with the Sabers in front of him … and yeah, the Sabers are already a team opponents hate to play — but they’re a lot of fun to watch!
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Author: CD, Host, Pigeonhole Hockey Podcast
