Spring Previews - Week 10

Whoever thought that the final week of regular season would have such matches that shoulder so many implications. We know that Haya and Ikhlas are cemented in their respective seeds; so what about the rest? Emaan, Shukr, Sabr and Ihsan are all fighting for booking their seats to the post season. Three spots are available, and four teams fighting for, it doesn't get any intense than this folks!!!

Ikhlas vs Ihsan

Although this game for Ikhlas is strictly for their allegiance, it's the perfect opportunity for the Green Machine to play spoilers. Ikhlas was handcuffed in playing with an open net last game and the result was a nasty 6-1 beat down. This is last chance for the green shirts to pack up the season on a winning note. Rumour has it that there's a familiar face between the pipes this week (Ibad won't be there) that might be able to cash out an upset on the Red Army. Can Ikhlas dig deep and conclude this appalling season with a solid team victory?

Ihsan mauled a handicap Ikhlas squad where many players collected petty points, and basically "rehearsed" plays just to entertain the opposition, or even themselves. The weight of this game for Ihsan is costly. A tie won't be feasible for the red shirts so they'll need Ahmad Hathout and Nauman Abbasi to continue playing pivotal roles and grab a win. GM Salman Khalid's team has been through many tussles and are inches away from a playoff spot. Can Ihsan etch their own fate on Friday?

Shukr vs Haya

The Blue Battalion faced Haya for the first time and once again concluded the game in a feisty 1-1 tie. Imran Lakhanpal has been the arena-master since the transition to the larger surface and has been a solid utensil in supporting the offensive department. Although Shukr had waves of chances on overthrowing Haya, they've still got to find a way to win this Friday. Another tie would suffice the blue shirts but a win would be better. Can Shukr solve the number one team?

Haya's unbeaten streak stretches to three games and could prolong to four if they can solve Khalid Mufti and company. The Misty Marauders tanked the blue shirts and came out firing on all cylinders, launching an explosive 24 shots on Shukr. Contrarily, Yusuf Kapoor made some dazzling saves and helped his squad to collect another point. This week's rematch with team grey is all about spoilers. A win for Haya could keep Shukr on the edge of their seats. Will Haya be able to eclipse Shukr's tenacious squad?

Sabr vs Emaan

A win during dire times is purely rewarding and for Sabr to deliver what they did last Friday is pretty ballsy. However, is Sabr buying time or are these guys the real deal? Like Emaan, the yellow shirts will need to be hellbent with their motives and tame the neutral zone battle versus orange. Zaid Toorawa potted two goals for his team while the remainder of Sabr played a sound and disciplined game. Is this the resurrection of Too-Too? Can Sabr make it to the post season?

There's a rumour orbiting that Emaan thought they clinched a playoff birth prior to playing Sabr. Wake up my Emaan brothers! You're as vulnerable as the other three teams fighting alongside side you. Netminder Sadiq Rehman will need to be a man on a mission and try to steal Friday night's game. Conversely, Waqar Khan and company will need to find a way to bandaid any backend blemishes. Will Emaan be able to avenge their loss to the yellow shirts? Or will Emaan end up looking from outside in?

Spring Previews - Week Eight - April 17th

Ihsan vs Emaan

In desperate times, comes desperate measures, this was the scenario for Ihsan. The Red Army wrote another chapter to their tale after demoralizing a dazed looking Sabr team by a 5-2 score. With three games left in the regular season and a tough Emaan team anxiously awaiting; will Ihsan by able to gett'er done again? The red shirts showed some awesome energy down low and feasted off of Sabr's defensive lapses last week, causing them to explode minute after minute. Ihsan is still looking outside in, and need the help of Haya to keep team yellow tamed, provided they win. 

Emaan was slipping and sliding in frustration over trying to solve Khalid Mufti last week. The Orangemen overloaded Shukr with pressure yet settled in a 1-1 tie that assisted them in maintaining their second place stature for another day. Emaan has a rematch versus the red shirts this week, where a win will earn them the bragging rights to a series sweep. The Orangemen's speed and first line has been their stomping grounds thus far, but with Ihsan's HUGE win we may witness an upset. Can Emaan stretch their unbeaten streak to four?

Player To Watch:

Known for his in-your-approach and rugged approach, Belal Hafeez will be a mission for Ihsan players to dodge.

Who's Hot?

Since most of the team was severely active, it's really too hard to pick a player on Ihsan. Let's just say team red is red hot.

Burning Questions?

Will Ihsan be able to build off their momentum and avenge their previous loss to Emaan?

Sabr vs Haya

If Sabr is serious about making the post season then they've really got to saddle up against Haya this week. Despite scoring first last game  and setting off a positive atmosphere, Sabr exhibited a lacklustre defensive game and got blown away in a 5-2 drubbing. The yellow shirts are tied in the final playoff spot and have a frustrated Haya team knocking at their door. The yellow shirts must play a more cognizant and lively game in the back end, cause it killed them last game. Can Sabr upset the Misty Marauders once again? 

Haya orchestrated a bullheaded first period last week and then got stampeded by Ikhlas in the second period. Honestly, despite the grey shirts lethargic performance in the second half, they had no business stealing the two points. Ikhlas choked. However, we know Haya is better than this and bad games happen from time to time. Haya will probably have everyone on deck this week to avenge their only loss to Sabr. Will Haya be able to capture a win over Sabr? 

Player To Watch:

There was a lot of rant about Navaz Sheikh before the draft. Can Navaz live up to all the hype and chatter, cause he's been awfully quite thus far.

Who's Hot?

Umar Muhammad was on a rampage last game and nabbed two big points. There would've been more rewards for Mr. Muhammad last game, but let's just say he's waiting for this week.

Burning Questions?

Can Sabr push themselves north in the standings?

Shukr vs Ikhlas

The Blue Battalion is also another team that went through a heck of ordeal last week. Despite being short benched, Shukr mustered out another tie game. The blue shirts have the last place Ikhlas on hands and although they haven't been playing the best hockey lately, you just can't underestimate team green. A win for Shukr would be a welcoming addition to their record since this squad has feasted off the one point nights. Can Shukr handle Ikhlas's speed? Besides Ibrahim Hindy, who else will initiate some scoring?

It's a challenge watching Ikhlas's games. Sometimes they make the crisp passes and decent plays and you ponder that maybe it's their night. Then there are times where watching the green shirts is like watching a child carrying a bowl of cereal to the dinner table. The Green Machine were minutes away for their second win of the season when all of a sudden the wheels started falling off. Ikhlas has to do something positive this time around. Could the resurrection of Ikhlas be this week?

Player To Watch:

The towering Mohammad Hamoud has helped out in every department thinkable, besides goaltending obviously. Can Hamoud make an impact this time around for Ikhlas?

Who's Hot?

Imran Lakhanpal got an the board last week with a meaningful goal. Is there more where that came from? 

Burning Questions?

This might be Ikhlas's last chance to revive themselves, depending on what transpires with the rest of the teams. Can the Green Machine cash out a victory?

Spring Previews - Week Seven - April 10th

Shukr vs Emaan

After getting shell shocked in their first loss of the season by the multitude of Emaan's hands, Shukr looks to seek vengeance this week. Recently relishing their 3-1 victory over Ikhlas, the blue shirts must refocus on winning more games. The ties are all fun and dandy, but is their any team that Shukr owns the "head-to-head" to? Captain Ibrahim Hindy continues his surge for Shukr while Shuaib Hussein leads the supporting cast. Will Shukr succeed in vengeance? 

Emaan is licking their chops in anticipation of snatching another two points from the blue shirts this week. Last game, the Orangemen lurked by Ihsan and overthrew the Red Army in a 3-2 result. Emaan's achilles has been their first line tacked with some solid defensive push by Belal Hafeez, Bilal Pervaiz and Kashif Taqiuddin. The orange shirts gave a depleted Shukr squad a bad nightmare in the a form of a 6-1 beat down. Can Emaan preserve their second place standing? Will their persistent "crashing the net" reign again?

Player To Watch:

Riaz Lasania's defensive prowess has been an instrumental tool for Shukr.

Who's Hot?

Jibraan Salam continues to rolls his wheels every game. The lanky lad has been a menace for defenders but a hearty contributor for his team.

Burning Questions?

Will Shukr be able to continue their rise up the standings?

Ikhlas vs Haya

The account of the Green Machine is slowly running out of funds. Every game has triggered a wave of anxiety for Ikhlas and now with only a mere 4 games remaining in the regular season, the post season window is gingerly closing. It's either giddy up or get off now. The green shirts sported another bruiser by the hands of Shukr and need to step it up against Haya, whom they played a better game against last time. Will Ikhlas be able to come back to life with a win over the first place squad?

The Misty Marauders swallowed a pill that might've been bigger than anticipated, but let's face it, it's reality. How long can you go unbeaten for? We can debate till the cows come home that Sabr's net-minding stole the show; or did Haya came out flat? That being said, I'm willing to bet my wooden hockey stick that Ikhlas will probably get minimized once again, cause Haya's got some frustration to release. Umar Muhammad and Saleem Malik have been solid shareholders to Haya's offence, expect them to procure some points. Can Haya get back in the win column?

Player To Watch:

Rizwan Malik is the energy of his team. Expect Rizwan to give Ikhlas a lesson or two on how to "drive" towards the net.

Who's Hot?

Umair Awan was the lone point getter last game for the green shirts. Can he transport his team out of the dark and into the light. 

Burning Questions?

How will Ikhlas reply to Haya's abundance of firepower? 

Sabr vs Ihsan

Sabr's aura after edging Haya was obviously euphoric. Yousuf Sowdagar pounced on a nifty short handed goal while Mohsin Lalva sealed the deal on a yawning Haya net. Zayd Agjee's gleaming performance gave the yellow shirts a critical win that stabilizes their post season aspirations for another day. This week's theme for team yellow will pretty much be "encore". Will Sabr be able to conquer an Ihsan team that's simply yearning for a win? Can GM Mustafa Alam's team build off the momentum and spank Ihsan?

We can't even hashtag this team #bleedred, cause seriously, the bleeding just won't stop. Ihsan's biggest of woes is simply failing to win. In what was a close game last week, losing to Emaan really stung the Red Army. The plethora of talent on Ihsan and what their producing has many of us wondering what's going on. The big red has gotta get this ship sailing! Time is running out and with a burnishing Sabr team coming up for battle this week, it might not be a smooth sail. How will Ihsan reply to Sabr?

Player To Watch:

Ahmad Hathout sits as the poster boy for the Red Army this year. With ten points already pocketed, it's foreseen that Hathout can revive his team's post season dreams.

Who's Hot?

Yousuf Sowdagar's two point night was more than welcoming. Will Sowdagar be able to deliver this week versus Ihsan.

Burning Questions?

Two teams headed in the opposite ends of the food chain? Which team will correct their paths to the playoffs?