Tier Two Previews - Week Eleven - November 28th

Yaqeen vs Ikhlas

The flicker of hope is slowly disintegrating for Yaqeen. Short benches, injured players have been the primary reasons to the squad's frail performances. After saturating some motivational words, it was expected that the Winter Warriors might've been able to turn a new flake, but instead struggled with Zuhd's offensive blizzard and got thrashed by a 5-0 score. Sigh, the situation for Yaqeen is so severe that they can't afford to drop any games going forward. It's the same story for the white shirts and I know I've mentioned this before but someone has to carve the winning path for Yaqeen. Who'll rise to the occasion in driving this 18 wheeler in the right direction? 

Ikhlas is unbeaten in their last two games and pummelled Ridha last week in a 4-0 drubbing. The victory books this team's tickets into the post season, but then again there weren't any qualms that this squad would choke getting there. Up this week for the Green Machine is hungry Yaqeen. The last time these two played, Yaqeen's last minute debacle played in Ikhlas's favour as the green shirts popped 3 goals in the final minute of the game. Ikhlas is rolling right now and will eat off the momentum from the Ridha win. Up front, GM Amir Multani was solid last game but must remain consistent; but what about Zuhair Fancy? If you missed it, let's just say it was like Bobby Orr but without the soar. Can Ikhlas silence Yaqeen's noisemakers?

Player To Watch:

First round pick Taqi Ahmed will have to start playing like a first rounder. Known for his swift hands, expect Taqi to raise havoc on Ikhlas territory. 

Who's Hot?

GM Amir Multani was on a tear and collected a 3 point night.

Ridha vs Zuhd

Ridha is another team hunting for the final playoff spot and is in desperate needs of points. With three games remaining in their schedule, they probably have the best scenario of sealing the deal. However, in order to do that their offence has to click and their defence and has to fulfill their roles. GM Zaid Mahmood's tribe played a frustrating game last week, but the kicker here is that Ikhlas had the shorter bench. Regardless, the Orangemen can't soften up in their own zone or else they or else they will get "freshly squeezed" by the end of the night. Who's up for some orange juice?

Man, what do you say about a team that is simply rocking! If you missed the Naeem Akhtar show than fear not cause Naeem's stalwart performance has been a Friday night ritual. Last week Zuhd thrashed Yaqeen 5-0, and ultimately planted a bollard in Yaqeen's playoff aspirations. Additionally, Faisal Mehboob and Shabil Ahmed prove that their offensive support has paid off dividends for the Purple Platoons. Next on their hit list is Ridha. Though the purple shirts beat them in their previous encounter, expect goaltender Yasir Hussain to challenge GM Fahad Malik and company all night. Conversely, netminder Rizwan Ali will assign himself as the pivotal point in escalating his team to first place. 

Player To Watch:

Imran Lakhanpal will need to step and get this team going. Lakhanpal will look to own Rizwan Ali with that patented slapshot. 

Who's Hot?

Naeem Akhtar continues to fester the opposition and did so with Yaqeen last week. Have a gander at his points!

Tier Two Previews - Week Ten - November 21st

Yaqeen vs Zuhd

Oh boy! Talk about getting into a sticky situation. Yaqeen's recent loss to Ridha puts them in a bad spot, and now the urgency calls for them to essentially win every remaining game on the schedule. Let the fire sale begin! Expect GM Abbas Amarshi's daytime minutes to hit the roof this week as the sirens for transactions has sounded. How will Yaqeen reply to this surging Zuhd team? Time is running out for the Winter Warriors, this is pretty much their last crack at being qualifying candidates for the final playoff spot. With Shukr flying away and Ridha slowly drifting off, they are all alone in the pit of the standings.

GM Fahad Malik's squad has been airborne as of late and haven't shown any symptoms of landing since that explosive game with Haya. As a matter of fact, it just seems like this plane is on a prolonged autopilot. Can Yaqeen knock these guys of course? Zuhd's dominance has been their defense, and with stalwarts like Amir Baig and Farhan Siddiqui assisting in the back, it isn't a surprise netminder Rizwan Ali hasn't been that busy of a goalie. Naeem Akhtar continues to be the guy yelling on top of the mountain here, while Faisal Mehboob proves that size doesn't matter when it come to tallying points.

Player To Watch:

Qamar Mian has been an impeccable force in the back end for Yaqeen and segways stability. 

Who's Hot?

Shabil Ahmed has slowly moulded into a critical piece to Zuhd's success.

Haya vs Shukr

Haya might've skipped a heartbeat last week when they faced off against Shukr. A second defeat was churning, but Arif Khan responded with 11 seconds left and maintained the grey shirt's unbeaten streak. Despite the absence of Coach K, Haya's gritty squad fought tooth-to-tooth and left the arena floor with 1 point in hand; that's why their at the plateau of the standings. Digging deep and playing the coach's strategy has been a ritual for Haya, toss in the fact that this team is deeper than Lake Ontario and you got a solid contender for the finals. Question is if they can subdue a playoff hungry Shukr team and retrieve that point back that Shukr stole from them?

Shukr had an interesting tilt with Ikhlas last week where the salivation eventually nudged them another inch up the standings. Itching to solidify their identity, the Blue Battalions look to seal the deal when they face Haya this week. Goaltender Sadiq Rehman played like a possessed man and retracted a whopping 22 shots where Shukr unfortunately only loaded a mere 16 shots. Shukr's defence still exhibits some frailty, but luckily their team speed compensates them in the back end, at times that is. Saqib Khokhar and Mohammed Hamoud continue to lead their squad in goal scoring and would probably envision other players to step up to the plate. Can the blue shirts win and creep closer to concreting that final playoff spot?

Player To Watch:

Arif Khan has been a valuable donor to Haya's offensive production. Most noticeably was Arif's heroics in last game's final minute goal. 

Who's Hot?

Last game Sadiq Rehman stood on his head and made some crucial saves.

Ikhlas vs Ridha 

Ikhlas played a power packed game last week and tried blowing up Shukr, but luckily Sadiq Rehman's firm efforts stole a point from the Green Machine. Atif Mian was the lone offender and scored a beauty of a goal that perhaps all of Cambridge heard. Jokes aside, this week's tilt with Ridha will be very trying. This match is being dubbed as the "Battle of the Goalies". Yes sir, the two best tier two goalies will be on display but the question is who'll take home the bragging rights? Ikhlas has proven that they have plenty of jump but at times have been a bit dreamy in their own defensive end. Let's hope the green shirts can crack their three game winless streak.

There were plenty of smiles in Ridha's change room last week. The Orangemen had some frightening moments in their own zone but cranked out a solid 4-2 victory over the tier two rag dolls, Yaqeen. The Talib Contractor show went live and didn't disappoint; but is this where things escalate for Ridha? Will they be able to press the repeat button versus Ikhlas? The win helps the Orangemen keep pace with Shukr but need every imaginable point henceforth. Faheem Kotwal and Farooq Sani were studs on defence last game and they'll need tot bring that same momentum int the changeroom this week. Can Ridha take a step closer to that final playoff spot?

Player To Watch:

Both goalies will be the focal points in this main attraction...who'll succeed?

Who's Hot?

Talib Contractor and Yasir Hussain stole the show last game. Yasir with his mind boggling saves and Talib for his two goal night.

Tier Two Previews - Week Nine - November 14th

Yaqeen vs Ridha

There really aren't anymore excuses left now. Yaqeen has been through multiple peaks and valleys and have been beaten black and blue for the past few weeks. Last game was a prime example of getting into penalty troubles and generously gifting the opposition 2 points. However, it doesn't mean that things aren't improving in the Yaqeen camp. There have some soothing visuals and promising efforts from the white shirts. Let's just hope there aren't hallucinating a win this week and eventually go for the real deal. Saboor Mian has to be top notch henceforward if the white shirts want a celebrating cause. 

While Yaqeen comes out gung-ho in longings for a win, Ridha gets a cortisone shot of Talib Contractor and has to forsee this game as a playoff game, it's as simple as that. Can Contractor solely alter the ambience of this match? Ridha biggest bane has been their offence. Certain individuals were envisioned to light it up, but consequently the squad has been left in the dark. GM Zaid Mahmood will need to pump up his squad as an equally salivating Yaqeen will show no mercy. Imran Lakhanpal and Amad Khan have been the lone donors to offence, so there's certainly room for individuals to step it up. Can Ridha's offence get the spark they need?

Player To Watch:

Farooq Sani has been a force on defence and known for quickness. Will he be able to shutdown Yaqeen?

Who's Hot?

No one! Both teams are ice cold and definitely need a win. 

Burning Questions?

There was a lot of buzz regarding Yaqoob Jamal on draft day. Is this guy for a real or just an ornament?

Ikhlas  vs Shukr

What's going on with Ikhlas? Just when we witnessed them torpedoing upwards, the green shirts have started to slither away. They've lost their last two games and despite pouring their guts out, they've appeared to stutter globally. Up this week is Shukr, and these guy are coming in hungrier than a homeless person on Thanksgiving. GM Amir Multani needs to get a grip on his squad before it's too late. The sirens haven't gone off yet, but a loss for green would definitely make things detrimental. Will the Green Machine be able to rebound? Buckle up, this might be a heck of a ride for one team.

It was like snatching a toy from a kid. Well, at least that's what it might've felt like for Shukr who compromised to a 4-4 tie with mere seconds remaining in the game versus Haya. Disheartening, but all you can do is accept it and move on. Regardless, things are looking encouraging for the Blue Battalion, and immediately Nadeem Qureshi's presence makes a huge impact. A few new faces emerged from the trenches and finally got on the board for the blue shirts. The question is if Shukr can handle Ikhlas's speed, not to mention seasoned netminder Khalid Mufti? Has Shukr moulded into a contender?

Player To Watch:

Known for crashing the net mercilessly, GM Ahmed Ibrahim notched his first of the season. Is there more where that came from? Will Shukr's theme be Ahmed Ibrahim?

Who's Hot?

Wakaas Khan has steadily garnered points throughout the season, and most recently pocketing 2 points in their last tilt.

Burning Questions?

Can Ikhlas come of their winning drought? 

Tier Two Previews - Week Eight - November 7th

Ikhlas vs Zuhd

The Green Machine are digesting their first loss at the hands of Haya and try to saturate all the issues leading to the defeat. Haya overshadowed Ikhlas and controlled the pace of the game right to the last drop. Although the green shirts are probably cozy in the standings, they must grasp more points and distance themselves from the basement of the standings, before it gets pressing. Besides GM Amir Multani and Sajid Khan, Azim Siddique has been the offensive dark horse and has clearly evolved his game. Will Farrukh Khan and Wajahat Khan be able to reply to Zuhd's speedy offence? 

Zuhd has been soaring high altitudes as of late and remain unbeaten in their last four games. Despite a vigorous second period push, the Purple Platoons blew it up and furnished Ridha with their 4th loss. Now that the movers and shakers have been classified on purple, vengeance will be the focal point for Zuhd this week. Faisal Mehboob, Abdu Sharkawy and Huzaifa Manjara have been solid contributors offensively while Rizwan Ali has broadcasted much poise between the pipes. Has Zuhd matured into a firm contender? Can the purple shirts remain in second place, again?

Player To Watch:

Goaltender Khalid Mufti will need to steal this game. Zuhd comes in with some high aspirations and confidence, can Mufti sour the purple shirt's weekend?

Who's Hot?

You can't blink twice about this but maybe it's time Abdu Sharkawy might've ignited something. Two pivotal goals in his last game! Is this the start to the Sharkawy we knowi. 

Burning Questions?

Will Ikhlas be able to take their second place cushion back from Zuhd?

Shukr vs Haya

Remember that thoroughbred that was once on steroids and mauled Yaqeen about a month ago. Well, now that horse has been playing like a sick mule waiting to be put down. Shukr has lost their last two games and need to refocus on the future. With Ridha and Yaqeen in the rear view mirror, the playoff race has geared up. GM Ahmed Ibrahim has been proactive and has reeled in defenseman Nadeem Qureshi to his camp. Shukr's loss of speed will hurt, but can a defensive stud like Qureshi be the antidote to a playoff hungry team? Offensive prowess lacks on this team cause mainly Mohammad Hamoud has been the lone point getter. Shukr needs some scorers, who's in?

What can ya say about Haya? Their all over the map and last week was a gift to them. Yaqeen blundered in every department and basically direct deposited two points over to Coack K & Company. The Misty Marauders plastered Yaqeen in a 5-0 spanking and have ultimately segregated themselves from the remnants of the league. Up next, Shukr. A team that's vying in collecting any imaginable points, yet hurting globally. How will Shukr treat Haya's offensive platter? Ali Murtaza and Arif Khan have been merciless to their opponents and are emblems for the grey shirts. Can Haya craft up another victory? 

Player To Watch:

With the dismissal Talib Contractor, Saqib Khokhar will savour the limelight and lead the Blue Crew in the offensive charges.

Who's Hot?

Let's take two. Wesam Issawi and Belal Ahmed both played hard and demonstrated their importance to their squad via the scoresheet.

Burning Questions?

Will a player like Nadeem Qureshi be able to help Shukr realigning their path to the post season?