Spring Previews - Week Six - April 1st

Ikhlas vs Ihsan
When these teams met in Week One the result was a 0-0 tie and the only point for Ikhlas this season. The struggles for Ikhlas are well known, a pair of blowout losses to Haya and a close loss against Shukr last week. The team made news after their last game as they traded Arif Bijabhai, selected first overall in the draft, along with Saqib Sheikh to Emaan in exchange for Imran Lakhanpal and Saqib Khokar. The two new players will be counted on to bring some energy to the locker room and Khokar to line up on defense to help bring some quickness and ball movement to the side. Their forwards are talented, no denying that but they've been hemmed in their own zone most games and not able to open the floor with their speed as was expected of them.

Ihsan may be in fifth place with two ties in their first four games but this team has struggled much like Ikhlas has this season. Ahmad Hathout is without a point in four games and has to be feeling the pressure as each game passes as his team looks for him to generate some offense. The acquisition of Amir Multani has not panned out yet as he has not scored a point and is struggling with his fitness. While it’s a bit early to call this game a must win for each team – it really is a must win game as it would give the winner a potential head-to-head advantage as the season progresses towards the playoffs.

Burning Questions?
Which team will finally get their first win?

Who's Hot?
No one, this game features the two lowest scoring offenses so far this season but Yusuf Kapoor has kept his team close in games – something not obvious unless you have watched Ikhlas struggle.

Player to Watch:
The two additions to Ikhlas in Imran Lakhanpal and Saqib Khokar will be counted on to give their new team a boost.

Emaan vs Haya
Emaan had been rolling along with dominating wins this season until last week where a short bench and a hungry Sabr saw them get pummeled 7-2. GM Ibrahim Hindy reacted to the loss with a big move as he decided the league's best offense needed to bolster up, adding Arif Bijabhai in a trade with Ikhlas. Going the other way was Saqib Khokar and Imran Lakhanpal while Saqib Sheikh rounds out the deal coming to Emaan. Bijabhai is speculated to be lining up on the second line, perhaps with Sheikh as his center giving this team even more firepower. They boast the three of the league's top four point getters as Gehad Alhundi and Yousuf Sowdagar are top two. Coming off a humbling loss and with some fresh faces eager to make an impact they face Haya who is sitting in first place – a position many expected Emaan to own (along with an undefeated record) this season.

Haya managed to grind out a 2-1 win over Ihsan last week who were missing 2/3 of their top forward line as the pattern of Haya coming up against opponents missing key players continued. Haya will be hard pressed in this game though as Emaan's offense is the best in the league and just got stronger. Waqar Khan has been their best forward which was expected and the pressure will be on him to lead the offense as well as provide his usual strong defensive performance on a talented opponent.

Burning Questions?
Can Haya actually beat an opponent at full strength?

Who's Hot?
Emaan's offense led by Gehad Alhundi has been unstoppable this season, the pressure will be on Haya to try and limit Alhundi from lighting it up. Of Emaan's 18 goals over four games this season, Alhundi has a hand in 15 of them.

Player to Watch:
Arif Bijabhai has struggled this season but one a loaded team like this the pressure will not be on him as much and puts him in a great position to break out.


Sabr vs Shukr
Both teams are coming off a win in Week Five but in quite different ways. Sabr ran it up on Emaan, pounding them 7-2 and showing the offensive punch that many expected to see from the start of the season. The win jumped Sabr into fourth place and a win this week would see them propel into third place so they are definitely motivated coming into this one. A gratifying observation for Sabr GM Salman Alvi last week was watching Hany Soliman (3 goals, 2 assists) and Osama Soliman (2 goals, 3 assists) break out and had Yousuf Soliman played as well the team felt they could have scored 10 goals.

Shukr comes into this game with Coach K having pulled another rabbit out of his hat last week. With goalie Yasir Hussain unavailable along with a replacement goalie, Coach K convinced Akib Malik to play as a replacement goalie and he filled in admirably backstopping Shukr to the win. Shukr continues to struggle with health across their roster with many key players either unavailable due to injury or playing through an injury. Despite the obstacles, Coach K has guided this team into third place and expects to finish top-two once he gets his full roster back.

Burning Questions?
After last week's offensive outburst, can Sabr light it up against the defensive system that Shukr plays?  How many tricks can Coach K have left up his sleeve as he carries this team on his back.

Who's Hot?
Hany Soliman reaffirmed last week that he is a power forward that is difficult to stop, he'll have a challenge against Shukr's defense but he comes into this one very confident after last week's stellar performance.

Player to Watch:
Osama Soliman also had a big game last week and his speed and finesse will be fun to watch as he goes against one of the best defensive units in the league.

Spring Previews - Week Five - March 18th

Shukr vs Ikhlas
What sprung as an imposing season start has slowly deflected Shukr off it's tracks. Losers of two straight, the blue shirts need to dislodge from their disheartening 6-3 loss to Emaan and target on Ikhlas, a team that's been deficient globally. Shukr's getting the most mileage from Ali Murtaza and Luqman Arshad but are sadly missing the presence of injured d-man Sadat Malik. Many might assume that this game for Shukr will be easier than taking sweets from a baby. However, we remind you that it doesn't take much to wake up the sleeping bear in Ikhlas. Can Aazar Zafar and Saleem Malik find their game versus Ikhlas?

Every team has a bad game, but last week broadcasted Ikhlas's struggling defense and anemic offense once again. An offense that's only managed to light the lamp twice in three games and a defense that's been getting their doors busted each week. Ikhlas still has a chance to get this right as the youngsters face the veteran squad of Shukr. GM Naveed Mohammad's unit is sorely missing Junaid Mohammad's attendance and is yearning for a realignment or even a facelift? Goaltender Yusuf Kapoor has endured a lot of defensive turmoil each game and has been left abandoned only to take the brunt. Can Ikhlas rebound against Shukr? Will the green shirts be able to run down their opponents?

Burning Questions?
Will Ikhlas be able to get their first win?

Who's Hot?
Luqman Arshad has been an immense aid to his team, both defensively and offensively. Last week his efforts shouted volumes with a huge 2 point night.

Player To Watch:
Goaltender Yusuf Kapoor has seen it all and can hope to heal despite a 7-1 whipping last week.

Emaan vs Sabr
With the way things are flowing with Emaan, I think it's safe to say that their offensive chemistry has been nothing but organic. Emaan's top line has been ridiculously ablaze while their defense is guarding well. GM Ibrahim Hindy and the gents beat Shukr in a 6-3 tilt and now face Sabr, a team they've had a close brush with some weeks ago. Now as much as Emaan is surging upfront, their defense has been vulnerable but hasn't crumbled yet. Both Shukr and Sabr have backfired from deficits so it is an area of onus. Can Emaan extend their winning to streak to four? Will the orange shirts defence subdue the Soliman's?

Sabr had the itch to exit the pit of the standings and they finally did it, momentarily that is. The teele shirts shadowed the opposition to the bone and generated a point off the heels of fill-in goaltender Sameer Subedar, who played like a possessed man. The Soliman brothers need to start generating things as this team continues to get afflicted with short benches. Defensemen Sajid Khan and Abdul-Wahab Mohammad will lead the squad on the back end as Sabr's defensemen are assigned the appalling task of clouding Emaan's stern first line? Will Sabr be able to abolish Emaan's sketchy defense?

Burning Questions?
Can Sabr get on the board with a big win?

Who's Hot?
Forward Sami Haque has been a delightful surprise for his team, the forward cranked a firm three point night last week.

Player To Watch:
Hany Soliman has yet to scratch the surface of the scoresheet. The canny forward will be a monstrous task for any Emaan defeseman. 

Ihsan vs Haya
Despite playing with a short bench, the red shirts held their own and settled to a scoreless tie with Sabr, only to inch up the standings. Fill-in netminder Zaid Majoo pulled all the rabbits out of the hat and earned accolades for his stellar job in net. With Majoo filling in the shoes for Fraz Khan again this week, we foresee this team's effort at the same parallel as Majoo. Amir Multani, Ahmad Hathout and Nadeem Faqiri have been fruitless and will have an upward battle versus a hot Haya team. While Ihsan be able to oppose the heat of Haya? Can the red shirts paint the town red with a big win?

Haya's continues to illuminate the standings as GM Zuhair Fancy's team is riding off a solid 7-1 win over a brittle Ikhlas group. Is Haya bragging early? The navy blue shirts played Ikhlas twice and sent the kids packing, but with the convincing win over the warhorses of Shukr we realize that Haya certainly isn't sympathizing over age. Ihsan is on deck this week and you can expect goaltender Kaunain Saiyed to be on his tiptoes versus the red shirts. Haya will utilize Farrukh Khan and Farooq Sani to refrain buddy Amir Multani and company. Can Haya extend the win streak to four? Will Ihsan cool down Haya?

Burning Questions?
Zaid Majoo hasn't allowed a goal thus far. Has his time come versus Haya?

Who's Hot?
All of Haya is hot, but to be critical with three points on the night: Asim Gauhar (best dressed with the Quebec jersey), Shoaib Bhatti, Usamah Rao and Waqar Khan

Player To Watch:
Mohammed Hamoud has known to be a versatile player, but has yet to prove it this season. Can Hamoud justify to be the tentpole for this tribe?

Spring Previews - Week Four - March 11th

Ikhlas vs Haya

Ikhlas embarks on another attempt in notching their first win of the season as they tussle again with Haya. The green shirts broadcasted some improved cohesiveness last game and the result was rewarding with Yusuf Kapoor blanking the opposition, and the team potting 1 point. Ikhlas is about vengeance this week. Although their season opener was about getting the feet wet, Ikhlas drowned in their own zone and couldn't buy a life jacket, hence losing in a 5-1 decision. GM Naveed Mohammad will be hopeful this week as the minors upfront try to align the stars in their favour. Will Ikhlas be able to pour cold water on the hot Haya team?

Haya arrived into their previous game as underdogs and put the sting into Shukr's diminutive roster. Shukr was beat like a rented mule leaving Haya flashing a two game winning streak leading into their tilt versus Ikhlas, a team they've owned in the past. GM Zuhair Fancy's squad was heavily suspected of a lacklustre offence, but has silenced the critics and continues to rocket to the top of the standings. This seasoned squad has been playing some stubborn hockey and most of the accolades come from their tenacious backend. Can Farooq Sani and Farrukh Khan continue shouldering the defensive fort against a determined Ikhlas?

Burning Questions?

Will Ikhlas be able to generate a win?

Who's Hot?

Azhar Kalair displayed some veteran prowess and scored a climactic goal to lead his team for an immense win.

Player To Watch:

GM Naveed Mohammad will need to pave the path for his team. The polarizing leader had his team trajecting the right direction where Ihklas's defence assisted in generating a tie game.

Shukr vs Emaan

Shukr shrugs off a filthy loss against Haya as the troops regroup versus Emaan, a team that hasn't displayed mercy on opposing backends. GM Kashif Taqiuddin and company need to neutralize Emaan's first line which has proved to be the underlying threat for some teams. Shukr hopes to field a full squad and will be hellbent in resurrecting to their winning ways with Faisal Mehboob and Saleem Malik at the forefront. Luqman Arshad and Nadeem Qureshi will have their work cut out at the blue line. Will Shukr upset GM Ibrahim Hindy and company? 

If you didn't get a chance to see Emaan's first line in action last game, let's just say it was equivalent to watching weapons of mass destruction at work. Emaan shredded Ihsan to pieces as Gehad Al-Hundi, GM Ibrahim Hindy and Yousuf Sowdagar tallied up a total of 15 points. The joyride is over, here comes Shukr. Emaan will have their hands full with many versed players from the opposing team that don't have an off switch. Conversely, the orange shirt's stable defence will need to be cognizant and regulate snipers like Faisal Mehboob and Saleem Malik. Can Emaan prolong their win streak?

Burning Questions?

Will Emaan's forwards make a feast out of Shukr?

Who's Hot?

Emaan's first line, who else?

Player To Watch:

The guy with the blue helmet, Ali Murtaza. Ali scored a beauty of a goal last game and is fluent in finishing many scoring opportunities. Will he be able to get his team going this week?

Ihsan vs Sabr

The battle of the basement dwellers might not hold value for spectators but for the teams playing, it's a segway for their first win. Ihsan had a bad night last game where their defence had more holes than swiss cheese. Let's hope that the wounds have alleviated cause here comes Sabr, a team that's also roaming around for a win. GM Fuzail Thakur will hopefully anticipate full attendance and get Ahmad Hathout and Nadeem Faqiri going offensively, an area where the two have been muffled. Can Ihsan's defence handle the Soliman's? Will the red shirts be able to deflect Sabr?

Sabr is still prowling for a point. Despite valiantly clawing back from a 3-1 deficit versus Emaan, the teele shirts dropped their second consecutive game and have many perplexed. The weeks off have been absorbed and it's time to hit the reset button for GM Salman Alvi's team. With a struggling Ihsan team coming to play with them in the sandbox, only time will dictate which team can get the ball rolling. Osama Soliman, Hany Soliman and Mazhar Hussain look to frequent the scoresheet while Sajid Khan and Imdad Ali lead the defensive cohort. Can Sabr exit the bottom of the standings?

Burning Questions?

Which team will be able to exit their respective slumps?

Who's Hot?

Yousuf Soliman's work effort can't be transcended. The stalwart scored twice last game and lead the charge to a comeback. 

Player To Watch:

Ahmad Hathout's offensive dexterity usually exhibits for itself. Will Hathout be able to revive his offensive touch?