Spring Previews - Week Three - February 27th

Ikhlas vs Sabr

The prospect of Ikhlas winning a game grows more comical week by week. It's a bold statement but it's true. Attendance, structure and gameplay are extremely lacking here. I can pinpoint a handful of instances last week where some Ikhlas players chose to deke the entire Sabr cast rather than pass. Dropped by a score of 6-1 and left gasping for air, Ikhlas can only hope for a better fate when they rematch Sabr. I'm predicting that Ikhlas will be "Khalas" this week. Any takers? 

From GM Mustafa Alam's "end to end" highlight reel goal to Ahmad Ibrahim's gritty two goals, Sabr executed to the nail and dusted their hands clean of exterminating Ikhlas. Zayd Agjee was solid in net, as always. Agjee's allowance of Ikhlas's lone goal is negligible but perhaps it was his "sadqa" of the week. While my guess is that Sabr will likely blow Ikhlas out of the water once again, expect Atif Mian and Abdul Aziz Rasoul to cause pandemonium on the Green Machine's grounds. Will Sabr be able to prolong their unbeaten streak?

Player To Watch:

The lanky Mohamad Hamoud will have to come to his team's aid. If there's one player that can give this team a sparkle of hope, it's got to be Hamoudi!

Who's Hot?

Ahmed Ibrahim scored twice and has started the spring season off on a BIG note. Does it get bigger than this for Sabr?

Burning Questions?

Can Shukr make it to the promise land and secure their first win?

Ihsan vs Shukr

Ihsan came out full speed versus Shukr last week and settled the night off in a 2-2 tie. Still salivating to earn their first win, the red shirts pulled out the firing squad and outshot their opponents profoundly. However, some defensive breakdowns and a botched powerplay cost the Red Army a point. Farooq Sani and Ahmad Hathout polarized the floor with their hearty efforts. Abu Mamooji wasn't as busy as expected but still allowed 2 goals on a mere 11 shots. Expect Ihsan to maintain their pursuit of seizing their first win. Will the red shirts be able to snap their winless streak?

Shukr had a rough night last week but still managed to make a game with Ihsan. Outshot, outplayed and looking slightly lethargic, the blue shirts ended up residing more in their own end compared to the rivals. Then came Ibrahim Hindy, laced with his a red cape and salvaged a point for his tribe with decent help from Imran Lakhanpal and Arssal Shahbuddin. The blue shirts have gotta show more fire on the floor and play with more hunger. Goaltender Khalid Mufti showcased his skill set by making some ginormous saves; can he pull it off this week? Will Shukr finally be able to crank out a win?

Player To Watch:

There aren't a pair of hands that have the finesse of Hany Soliman. Although he may be coming reeling an injury, don't count Hany out just yet.

Who's Hot?

Both representatives from each team pocketed two goals. Ibrahim Hindy and Farooq Sani.

Burning Questions?

Can Shukr make it to the promise land and secure their first win?

Emaan vs Haya

Emaan was left scratching their heads after losing a tight game with Haya. It was a marginal tilt which had all the fireworks in the opening period. However at the end of the night Yusuf Kapoor and his squad seized the bragging rights and sole possession of first place. The Oranngemen still have their work cut out and have to snap Haya's defensive fort. GM Furqan Salam and his team will need to putting their thinking caps on as Haya's veteran leaders devise a counterattack. Can Emaan return to their winning ways?

Naeem Akhtar and Junaid Mohammad continue to prove that they are this team's fabric. However, let's not forget to mention that Yusuf Kapoor stole the game including a last minute blocker save that ultimately left Emaan in a daze. This rematch versus Emaan allows Haya to dissociate themselves from the remnants of the league, provided they can topple the orange shirts one again. Watch for Akib Malik and Umar Muhammad to deplete Emaan's prudent defence. Will Haya be able to win three straight?

Player To Watch:

Haya's first overall pick has been very instrumental for his squad. Keep your eyes peeled for Aazar Zafar. 

Who's Hot?

After winning two straight, it's fair to say that all of Haya is hot.

Burning Questions?

Will Emaan be able to solve Yusuf Kapoor?

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Spring Previews - Week Two - February 20th

Sabr vs Ikhlas - 8PM

Ikhlas had a thoroughly disappointing week one in which it seemed like everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Everything from line changes to just simply moving their feet seemed like an enormous challenge and in the end Ikhlas suffered a difficult 5-2 loss.

Far worse than the score was just the effort level of the team. They were outshot 43-13 and the game was never remotely close.

For Sabr's, week one could have gone much, much worse but instead they were able to salvage a point with a tie. With the entire first line of Yousuf Sowdagar, Atif Mian and Navas Sheikh out of the lineup, Sabr was able to hang in and ultimately score a late powerplay goal to record a tie. However, Sabr had ample time on the PP throughout the game, including a 5 minute power-play which they were unable to capitalize on and yet still had to hang on to gain a point. 

Sowdagar will still be missing for this game but sources say that he is very close to returning and will be joining the Sabr roster for week three. But with Sheikh and Mian reportedly joining the club, there should be a boost of speed at the top of the lineup waiting to meet Ikhlas.

Player to Watch:
You can't complain about Ibad Khan's performance because he had no help. The problem is, he might not get any help. He may need to be fantastic and steal games - something he is fully capable of.

Who's Hot?
Mohammad Khattab scored his first of the season after taking a one season hiatus for Sabr. He's not a big goal-scorer, so I'll put him here whenever I get the chance!

Shukr vs Ihsan - 9PM

Red and Blue will meet up for this week two matchup after disappointing starts to the season. Ihsan dropped their first game to Haya after clearly having trouble with Haya's speed and grind game while Shukr tied a grueling match to Sabr after squandering many chances to take a definitive lead.

Ihsan managed to battle back last week but clearly had trouble generating shots on goal. But never count Ihsan out. They've been to the finals twice already since the Spring season's inauguration two years ago, and have been champions once. They will figure things out considering the talent in their group.

Gehad Alhundi was missing from Shukr's efforts last week and is expected to join this week, but Shukr seems to be a revolving door of absences at this point - so don't expect a full team this week either.

If this game opens up with both sides trading chances, I imagine that Ihsan will win favour as Yousuf and Hani Soliman and Ahmad Hathout would thrive in those circumstances. A more tightly structured game may bring different results. And knowing the friendship between Gehad Alhundi and Yousuf Soliman, the matchup between the two might be hotly contested.

Player to Watch:
Hani Soliman is still recovering from a tough ankle injury he suffered in the fall. He was playing extremely well prior to the injury, so you might expect him to take off once he begins to feel better.

Who's Hot?
Ahmad Hathout scored a goal last week and looked dangerous throughout his game.

Emaan vs. Haya - 10PM

It's the return of the home and home series in I-Slam Hockey. After a hiatus of a few years, two teams will battle each other on consecutive weeks. And to make matters more interesting, the matchup is between the two most impressive teams on week one.

Emaan basically dismantled their opposition in week one, out-shooting them 43-13. That's nearly a 4:1 ratio. That's insane!

Haya meanwhile kept grinding, running and working as they stifled Ihsan's offensive weapons and pulled out an impressive 3-2 win. Though they wobbled near the end, Haya was strong during the majority of the game.

Both teams are noted for the same weakness - between the pipes. Emaan's Sadiq Rehman missed game one with a wrist injury and the jury is out on whether he'll be ready for this game but Haya's Yusuf Kapoor looks to have regained his confidence following two back-to-back strong seasons.

Emaan looks like the strongest offensive team in the league with Haya looking like they have the deepest defense corps. Goaltending is about even. Who wins? Your guess is as good as mine.

Player To Watch:
Furqan Salam had a disappointing fall season without registering a goal. He's got two assists already this season and I'm guessing he can't wait to get back in the goal category.

Who's Hot?
Jibraan Salam leads the league with 3 points after a strong start last week.

Spring Previews - Week One - February 13th

Ihsan vs Haya

GM Salman Khalid's clan gets the honour of opening the spring season versus a very brisk Haya team. While on paper, The Red Army has a firm grasp of the defensive core as Nauman Abbasi, Farooq Sani and Nadeem Qureshi entertain the blue line. Ihsan's offensive artillery is proportionately potent with the Solimon's (Hany and Yousuf) and Ahmed Hathout digesting the burden upfront. But is this ammunition durable to beat the likes of Junaid Mohammad and Luqman Arshad? Goaltender Abu Mamooji has displayed some promise last spring season and will need to get on his high horse for this one versus grey. Can Ihsan make a splash in their first win?

Haya, or should we say, "Malik-nation" is set to take the show on the road with Akib Malik, Saleem Malik and Naeem Akhtar standing in the forefront. Glazed with oodles streetsmart players, you can attest that the grey shirts will give the audience value as they try to pace the foot races against Ihsan. Aazar Zafar, Junaid Mohammad and Umar Muhammad's added force will be pivotal since the supporting effort will lean on their shoulders. My query is if Yusuf Kapoor. Is this guy you wanna hitch your success wagon to? Kapoor had a top notch season last winter and will look to carryover that momentum this time. Which Kapoor will come out this season?

Player To Watch:

Naeem Akhtar achieved a milestone last season and truly displayed his value. Can he reel off the same momentum this time and make another impact?

Who's Hot?

No one yet...

Burning Questions?

Which team will take the first win?

Emaan vs Ikhlas

What's i-Slam without the battle of Cambridge? GM Furqan Salaam instantly plucked defensive buddies Adeel Awan and Belal Hafeez at the draft, now this week Emaan's litmus test will be Ikhlas. The Orangemen will severely employ Waqar Khan and Arif Bijabhai against their west end rivals. Netminder Sadiq Rehman gets to showcase his goaltending skills and I'm certain this is a game he'd relish to win. Is Emaan's offensive cohort cohesive enough to break through Ibad Khan? Abdu Sharkway and Jibran Salaam are decently invested players that aren't pedestrian in scoring. Can Bilal Pervaiz and his defensive troops withstand Ikhlas?

The Green Machine return with GM Wakaas Khan at the helm. Things are always challenging when you're playing against keeper Ibad Khan. Fortunate is Ikhlas to have him, but can they make his life a breeze by defending him. Sajid Khan, Hammad Khan and Wajahat Khan will be the go to guys in the back end while "highly acclaimed" Amir Multani and Ali Murtaza attempt an offensive show in the "orange" end of the arena. "Lots of shots," might be the chant here for the green shirts. Obviously Sadiq Rehman might be smaller compared to others but his speed can't be discounted. Can Ikhlas win the battle of C-town?

Player To Watch:

Assad Dar makes it happen regardless. His tough spirit and bullheadedness will be a key to Ikhlas taking game one.

Who's Hot?

No one yet...

Burning Questions?

Which team will take the first win?

Sabr vs Shukr

GM Mustafa Alam returns back to the GM'ing scene and has compiled quite an intriguing roster by snagging Yousuf Sowdagar in the first round. Already battered with a decent management in Farrukh Khan, Zayd Agjee and highly touted east-ender Navaz Shaikh, its anticipated that Sabr will be a gritty team to play against day in and day out. Can the secondary cast of Azhar Kalair, Abdul Aziz and Mohamad Khattab get the job done? Words can't express the unmitigated talent Zayd Agjee brings, we'll let his action speak volumes. Versus Shukr they'll be hellbent on breaking the tight defence of Arrsal Shabuddin and Riaz Lasania. Will Sabr be able to seal the deal?

Shukr was shepherded by Ibrahim Hindy and Ahmed Hassan on draft day and the results seems appealing, thus far. The Blue Battalion's offence gyrates around Gehad Al-Hundi, Shuaib Hussein and Ibrahim Hindy. Minding the pipes is the seasoned Khalid Mufti while Humza Hussein and Zuhair Fancy provide more brawn on the blue line. For Shukr, it's all about getting the big "W". Since there are more offensive commodities like Imran Lakhanpal and Faisal Mehboob, it'll be interesting to note where this team's fortunes lie. The blue shirts must be tight in their own zone against Sabr. There's a lot of lethal canons on yellow so being cognizant of your surroundings will be vital for Shukr. Will the blue shirts be able to carve a big win on opening night?

Player To Watch:

The was a lot of chatter regarding Navaz Shaikh. Will he be the added force Sabr requires or just a big name?

Who's Hot?

No one yet...

Burning Questions?

Which team will take the first win?