7:45PM Ikhlas v. Shukr
This is a rematch of game one of the season, where these two teams played tentative hockey and finished the game with a 1-1 tie.
Since then? Both teams have won 3 straight and sit tied at the top of the standings with 7 points each.
Waqar Khan and Mohammad Hamoud have developed a special type of chemistry that has made them a tough duo to shut down. Khan stands tied for first in scoring with 9 points and Hamoud is tied for second in scoring with 7 points.
Haya has also been an offensive force, but their scoring has been mostly by committee rather than by any particular player or line. Aazar Zafar, Atif Mian, Mehmed Rizvanovic, Abdu Sharkawy and Shabil Ahmed have all contributed to lifting Haya over most of their opposition.
This game, being the 5th of the season, is officially the mid-point. And we'll know which team will stand alone at the top of the standings.
Burning Question?
An under-rated aspect of these teams success has been in goal. These teams were the last two to select goalies in the draft and yet are top two in the league. The competition between Yusuf Kapoor and Kaunain Saiyed will likely be the deciding factor.
Player to Watch:
Naeem Akhtar has yet to produce the way we expect him to. Look for him to break out soon.
Who's Hot?
Mohammed Hamoud had 4 point last week and is on a tear right now.
8:45PM Ihsan v. Sabr
Ihsan versus Sabr is the second game of a back-to-back series, as these two teams will once again face-off. Last week's game was a huge debacle for Sabr.
Sabr looked poised for their first win of the season after the Ihsan team showed up without a goalie. Instead, Sabr somehow managed to lose 7-6 against an empty net!
To their credit, Ihsan found a way to control the play using the extra man, and continued to pepper Sabr with shots and breakdown their defense.
But Sabr has blamed their struggle mainly lack of turnout and have added Tariq Hathout through player replacement system and hope it will help them start winning some games.
This will be a tough game and one that will test mettle of both teams.
Burning Questions?
Can Sabr persevere? Can they win their first game?
Player to Watch:
Ahmad Hathout holds the league lead with 9 points including 4 points in his last game (albeit against an empty net). He is a game-breaker to watch.
Who's Hot:
The snakebitten Ibrahim Hindy got his first point of the season last week, and then added three more.
9:45PM Emaan v. Haya
Just like Ihsan, Emaan showed up without a goalie last week however fell 6-4 to the 1st placed Shukr team. Emaan barely losing to the top team in the league without a goalie is a pretty good sign that they're an underrated team and probably better than their spot in the standings right now.
Haya, meanwhile, has had a lot of trouble competing lately. They're lost their last 3 games and have only scored 2 goals in those games. Now, part of the problem is that star defender Salman Khalid has been missing lately but these are not good signs for the team. A team with Salman Syed should score goals.
GM Nadeem Qureshi has been having trouble himself with moving the needle, but he also needs to start looking to make trades if things don't turn around soon. If things aren't working, then you gotta shake things up!
Burning Questions?
Can Haya turn their season around or will they continue their nosedive?
Player to Watch:
Rizwan Ali was drafted early and is capable of being the best goalie in the league, but he hasn't carried his team in the way they thought he would.
Who's Hot?
Abdur-Rahman Buttar has 7 points and has gotten points in every game this season. Buttar has been a pleasant surprise for his team.
Thursday 29 October 2015
Thursday 8 October 2015
Fall Previews - Week Two - October 9th
Shukr vs Sabr - 7:45PM
Shukr kicked off the season last week against Ikhlas in what was a very tentative game, especially during the first period. Mehmed Rizvanovic scored the only goal for Shukr, showing he may have been a very smart pick for Shukr as they looked extremely strong at the centre position.
Another good omen for Shukr must have been the play of Kaunain Saiyed, who looked very strong during his match, although Shukr did a good job limiting chances against him.
Sabr lost their first game, despite having clear moments of strength on the team. Ahmad Hathout put up two assists, and newcomer and GM Hanif Kasuji scored in his first I-Slam game but had difficulty dealing with the speed Haya had put together. This will be a big test for the group, as Shukr is not particularly fast but does have skill.
Burning Questions?
Can Zaid Majoo rebound from last week? The rookie goalie covers a lot of the net but had some difficulty posting a .727 save percentage.
Players to Watch:
Aazar Zafar is being asked to carry a line and create offense on his own. Normally a playmaker, this will be a big role for Zafar to fill in.
Who's Hot?
Ahmad Hathout had a two point game last week and is always a threat.
Haya vs Ihsan - 8:45PM
Ihsan was embarrassed last week and shut out with all their big guns going radio silent. Shuaib Hussain, Arssal Shahabuddin and Ibrahim Hindy couldn't create any offense and the team suffered as a result.
For a team built to be offensively minded, there can't be more scoreless games on the schedule.
Haya, on the other hand, now leads the league in goals for after they defeated Sabr 3-2 last week. The combination of speed, grit and booming slap-shots allowed them to create solid offense chances over and over again.
Salman Khalid helped them push the pace of their game and Umar Muhammad and Imran Lakhanpal took advantage of time and space to score. They certainly look to be one of the tougher teams to counter this season.
Burning Questions?
Can Ihsan create more offense this year?
Player to Watch:
Umar Muhammad used his speed all game last week and will need to be controlled by the opposition.
Who's Hot?
Faisal Mehboob
Emaan vs Ikhlas - 9:45PM
Ikhlas played a disciplined games last week and resulted in a tie against a team most thought carried far more talent than them. The expectation for opponents has to be to expect a team that grinds and plays well defensively.
Rookie Nadeem Faqiri scored for Ikhlas and the Khan (not actually) brothers were always a threat on the floor.
Emaan won resoundingly last week as well, making a strong statement. Even missing one of their top picks in Naiem Malik, the team was not worse for the wear. The chemistry between the (actual) Soliman brothers was clear to see and will give them a distinct advantage over their opponents.
Ikhlas will need to create a game-plan to deal with Yousuf, Osama, Hani and Walied Soliman.
Burning Questions?
Can Ikhlas grind out another game?
Player to Watch:
Waqar Khan will lead the way for Ikhlas.
Who's Hot?
Hani Soliman had three primary assists last week, to lead the league.
Shukr kicked off the season last week against Ikhlas in what was a very tentative game, especially during the first period. Mehmed Rizvanovic scored the only goal for Shukr, showing he may have been a very smart pick for Shukr as they looked extremely strong at the centre position.
Another good omen for Shukr must have been the play of Kaunain Saiyed, who looked very strong during his match, although Shukr did a good job limiting chances against him.
Sabr lost their first game, despite having clear moments of strength on the team. Ahmad Hathout put up two assists, and newcomer and GM Hanif Kasuji scored in his first I-Slam game but had difficulty dealing with the speed Haya had put together. This will be a big test for the group, as Shukr is not particularly fast but does have skill.
Burning Questions?
Can Zaid Majoo rebound from last week? The rookie goalie covers a lot of the net but had some difficulty posting a .727 save percentage.
Players to Watch:
Aazar Zafar is being asked to carry a line and create offense on his own. Normally a playmaker, this will be a big role for Zafar to fill in.
Who's Hot?
Ahmad Hathout had a two point game last week and is always a threat.
Haya vs Ihsan - 8:45PM
Ihsan was embarrassed last week and shut out with all their big guns going radio silent. Shuaib Hussain, Arssal Shahabuddin and Ibrahim Hindy couldn't create any offense and the team suffered as a result.
For a team built to be offensively minded, there can't be more scoreless games on the schedule.
Haya, on the other hand, now leads the league in goals for after they defeated Sabr 3-2 last week. The combination of speed, grit and booming slap-shots allowed them to create solid offense chances over and over again.
Salman Khalid helped them push the pace of their game and Umar Muhammad and Imran Lakhanpal took advantage of time and space to score. They certainly look to be one of the tougher teams to counter this season.
Burning Questions?
Can Ihsan create more offense this year?
Player to Watch:
Umar Muhammad used his speed all game last week and will need to be controlled by the opposition.
Who's Hot?
Faisal Mehboob
Emaan vs Ikhlas - 9:45PM
Ikhlas played a disciplined games last week and resulted in a tie against a team most thought carried far more talent than them. The expectation for opponents has to be to expect a team that grinds and plays well defensively.
Rookie Nadeem Faqiri scored for Ikhlas and the Khan (not actually) brothers were always a threat on the floor.
Emaan won resoundingly last week as well, making a strong statement. Even missing one of their top picks in Naiem Malik, the team was not worse for the wear. The chemistry between the (actual) Soliman brothers was clear to see and will give them a distinct advantage over their opponents.
Ikhlas will need to create a game-plan to deal with Yousuf, Osama, Hani and Walied Soliman.
Burning Questions?
Can Ikhlas grind out another game?
Player to Watch:
Waqar Khan will lead the way for Ikhlas.
Who's Hot?
Hani Soliman had three primary assists last week, to lead the league.
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