Fantasy Update: FINALS!!!

As a six-seed in the Hirsch Division, I didn't think I'd be able to get past the first round. Playing the third seed in the whole thing, I thought I'd be hooped since I lost big time the only time played RedWhitenRed, but luckily-- I pulled out a small victory 7-5. I was lucky Zach Parise and Jason Spezza had six point weeks and my goaltending didn't fail me like it has in playoffs past (thanks to that Marty Brodeur waiver pick-up when he was injured). This at least ensured me that I'd be playing the whole season and not lose the last two weeks to nothingness.

This made me move onto the two-seed, LizardInsid'er, whom I beat both times this season. Of course, huge underdog yet again, but moved past them with ease, 7-3. Six point weeks for Steve Sullivan, Devin Setoguchi and Alexei Kovalev (say whaaaaaaa) and 19 goals for the week, which was my weakness during the season. Pekka Rinne and Jonas Hiller flourished, which was great since last week, Brodeur was awful. It also led to much bragging for my Australian comrade, who claimed he would destroy me in the playoffs. Take that, Prison Colony!!

That leads me to not only the Final of the Hirsch Division, but into the Optimum Ocho of the FOHSHL, which combined all four divisions of the league (Beaupre, Liut, Tabaracci) and let's us go roto-style. However, I'm facing the top-seeded Jesmond Jesters. I lost both meetings to the Jesters this year, both by a huge margin. Plus, in the '06-'07 season, I beat the Jesters to claim the bronze in the Hirsch. I'm scerrrred.

However, it's better than last season when I was a six-seed and lost in the first round and lost in the 5th place game. I won the FOHSHL in '03-'04, but haven't gotten close since then. This could be the year......or not.

Oh, and as far as Aston HC....in the consolation games and just....turrible this season. I'm so glad Neumann College won the D-III Championship.

College Goalie Comes Up Big, Islanders Taking Notice

Crazy story out of Wisconsin, as Daniel McIntosh of Northland College broke an NCAA Division III record for save in a game with 95 saves in a 4-0 loss to Adrian College. How bad does one team have to be in order to let up 99 shots in a game; and how good is this McIntosh kid to stop that many shots in a game and only let up four??

The thing about this Northland team is that they are currently 1-17-0, with 25 goals for and 116 against, so they aren't that good. However, this game put in by McIntosh against the top team in the MCHA could get some buzz about this kid and may boost his standing in the scouts' eyes. Or, it could get some other schools interested in him and maybe try to lure him out of Northland and onto their roster via a transfer. It is definitely a great feat for this sophomore goalie and hats off to him for putting up with the barrage of shots.

This is probably the biggest headline news from Division III hockey since my old school, Neumann College, got destroy by RIT 24-0, breaking plenty of RIT's school records for most goals scored in a game and biggest goal differential.

Leonhardt Giving Hope

Nice story out of DC, as Washington Capitals Web editor Brett Leonhardt signed an amateur try-out contract with the Capitals and will be suiting up as the back-up for Brent Johnson, only until Simeon Varlamov gets into the area from San Antonio and takes over for Leonhardt.

Now, this shows a couple things. One, it gives hopes to bloggers everywhere that they could be the next to be called upon to suit up for their favorite team. Second, as a former student at Neumann College (only two semesters), it's great to see someone from there make a splash as big as this. It could be only his 15 minutes of fame, but I'm sure for Leonhardt, it'll be a moment that last a lifetime. Thirdly, this could be the first Division III player from the NCAA to suit up for an NHL team. I haven't done the research (there's a shock), so I'm probably wrong-- but still.

With Johnson having a bum hip, you never know what could happen with Leonhardt or even if the Caps will let the young stopper be in the game for a little bit to face a shot, then go on his merry way and have that memory to pass onto his grandkids. Either way, I am quite jealous of Leonhardt and hope that he savors every moment of it.