Spring Previews - Week Ten - April 29th

Shukr vs Ihsan

Revenge is wonderful. Don't believe me, ask the Shukr clan. The blue shirts have a revolving door with offensive production, which is a beautiful thing. This week Faisal Mehboob and Rehan Lakhani stepped up their game and gave a reason for Shukr to pound their chest in a 2-1 final. GM Kashif Taqiuddin and Luqman Arshad continue to be massive supporters to the team's transition game. It's Ihsan this week and the red shirts are red hot. Shukr's conviction proves that they're the real deal and have boiled some respectable wins all season long. Can Shukr solve Zaid Majoo and company? 

Ihsan played a teetering game versus Emaan last week and the result was a 4-4 tie. This match was the litmus test the red shirts needed. Netminder Zaid Majoo's entry to the squad has truly altered the outlook for Ihsan. But that isn't the only thing ticking the clock for team red. Ahmad Hathout has remained consistent with production, Nadeem Faqiri has made an impact with his offensive prowess and even Amir Multani finally managed to find the back of the net. Ihsan's defence is decent enough to carry its own weight; but are they seasoned enough to compete with Shukr? 

Burning Questions?

After giving Emaan a rough time; can Ihsan beat Shukr?

Who's Hot?

Ahmed Hathout didn't light the lamp last week but definitely played pivotal minutes with a 3 assist night.

Player To Watch:

Ali Murtaza has always been an instrumental player in both zones of the rink. He'll be looked upon to get through Ihsan.

Ikhlas vs Emaan

Despite being caged in their own end last week, Ikhlas dug deep in the final minute of the game and left the arena with a big sigh of relief in a 1-1 draw. There's still a glimmer of hope that the green shirts can salvage the season and qualify for that wild card seed. Junaid Mohammad, Haris Mallick and Idrees Deen have been the pulse for this squad as all have resurrected the green shirts with their hard work and leadership. Ikhlas can give Emaan a run for their money, but the they'll need to bring their nimble legs and a lot of gatorade to get through the orange wall. Will Ikhlas be able to neutralize Emaan?

Emaan met Ihsan for their second tilt of the season and eventually discovered that these dudes weren't duds anymore. The orange shirts spent the night exchanging pleasantries but surprisingly settled in a 4-4 tie game. Every team has had difficulties trying to solve Zaid Majoo, and yet Emaan struggled again. Last week's result doesn't blemish Emaan's record but further exploits their dubious defence, which Ihsan filtered through easily. GM Ibrahim Hindy's troops might be miles ahead over Ikhlas's offence but Ikhlas's back end has a marginal upper hand. Will Emaan be able to own the green shirts? 

Burning Questions?

Can Ikhlas handle the firepower of Emaan's first line?

Who's Hot?

Yousuf Sowdagar has been beast, netting 4 points in his last game.

Player To Watch:

Idles Deen's entry to Ikhlas has been a day and night feeling. He'll definitely be looked upon to notch Ikhlas their third win.

Haya vs Sabr

There's a cause for concern for Haya as the window to the post season is slowly fading away. GM Zuhair Fancy and company will be on high alert as the blue shirts face Sabr for a two game series. Haya has been victim of four consecutive losses and need to make some noise again. The blue shirts recently fell victim to Shukr and now get their staff prepared for a hellbent Sabr team. Farrukh Khan and Farooq Sani will most likely be utilized to the max as Azim Siddique leads the upfront charge. Will Haya be able to thwart off Sabr's offensive bursts?

Sabr spent most of the night in Ikhlas's zone but croaked on a last minute effort by the green shirts only to the leave the arena with a point in hand. A win would've been beneficial for GM Salman Alvi's team but something is better than nothing. The teele shirts can put Haya on their heels with a win, but that's contingent on how Sabr's troops click with one another. The weekly shortened benches haven't been able to concoct any chemistry with players. Team teele has to come out strong from the get go and need the Soliman's to light the lamp. Will Sabr be able to inch the standings?

Burning Questions?

Both teams are at the brink? Which team will come out victorious?

Who's Hot?

No one on either team.

Player To Watch:

Goaltender Kaunain Saiyed started the season off on a strong note but has softened up thus far. Will he be able to get his team out of this slump?

Spring Previews - Week Nine - April 22nd

Haya vs Shukr

Haya's hit some rocky patches lately and was muted by a 3-0 score, this time from the hands of Ihsan. Losers of three consecutive, the blue shirts will direct their attention to the drawing board and work on getting back on the win column. Last week the team performance versus Ihsan was bleak, the effort level was nonexistent and it appeared that the white flag was raised by the end of the first period. Shukr is next on Haya's agenda and you can bet this squad will be out for vengeance. Last time the two confronted it was Haya reeling out on the winning end. Will GM Zuhair Fancy's team repel Shukr?

One of the league's hottest team just got a bucket of water poured over them. Shukr went stride for stride with Emaan but couldn't crank out a win against the league leaders. GM Kashif Taqiuddin's team still remains on the higher end of the spectrum and has the experience on limiting the opposition. Luqman Arshad and Sadat Malik have been the pivotal players on the blue line while Saleem Malik leads the offensive cohort. This team might be an old bunch of dinosaurs, but like I said before, they still have the bite. Can Haya sweep the season series versus Shukr?

Burning Questions?

Will Haya's offence wake up this week? 

Who's Hot?

GM Kashif Taqiuddin has got 6 points in his last 4 games. 

Player To Watch:

Known for patented snapshot, Azhar Kalair shoulders oodles of much needed wisdom to his team. Let's see if he can jolt up the troops and squeeze out their "A" game.

Emaan vs Ihsan

Another day at the office, another win. What else is new for Emaan? GM Ibrahim Hindy and company stay perched atop the standings and are riding on a three game win streak. Emaan matched well with Shukr last week as both teams alternated chances, however; it was Emaan accumulating the two points in a 3-1 win. Emaan's been through this drill before with Ihsan. As a matter of fact, a previous 6-2 beat-down should be an indication of what could be on team red's weather forecast. Emaan continues to suffocate the opposition in their own zone while their first line chips away at scoring opportunities. Will Emaan treat this game as a walk in the park?

After failing to seal the deal for six games, you'll be elated to know that Ihsan finally got their first win. The victory couldn't have been more appropriate as Ihsan clawed back into playoff contention with a 3-0 drubbing of Haya. Goaltender Zaid Majoo "officially" made his debut for Ihsan and must echo that feat henceforward, especially with Emaan being their next match-up. The red shirts haven't forgotten the reality check Emaan administered last time, it was brutally embarassing. However, with Ahmad Hathout rekindling his scoring prowess and Salman Khalid playing top notch blue line minutes it could be a different fate. Can Ihsan stretch their win streak to two?

Burning Questions?

Can Ihsan put a freeze on Emaan's winning streak?

Who's Hot?

As declared in his player of the game interview, Zaid Majoo doesn't seemed concerned about the remnants of the league. Majoo's three shutouts this season has reinforced his statements; but is he the real deal? When asked about Emaan, Majoo replied, "Don't worry about it?"

Player To Watch:

Yusuf Sowdagar continues to cause havoc and has totalled 23 points in 7 games.

Ikhlas vs Sabr

Ikhlas planted a pylon on Sabr's playoff hopes by defeating the teele shirts with a convincing 3-1 win. The win inches the squad up the standings and marks the team's first "real" win, as opposed to the open net win they achieved earlier this season. Ikhlas pounced on Sabr's diminutive roster and had Humza Chaudhry and Arsalan Mian crank out crucial goals that ultimately landed Sabr in the deep end of the standings. If Ikhlas can maintain that same level of jump than eradicating Sabr will be easier than stealing candy from a baby. Can Yusuf Kapoor steal another game for his clan?

Sabr's loss to Ikhlas has got them against the wall, and they have no one to blame but themselves. GM Salman Alvi's group couldn't weather the Ikhlas tides and succumbed to a nasty 3-1 loss. Luckily for how the schedule is planned out, fate has permitted them a chance to redeem themselves this week and snatch forth place. Sabr has only one victory to show for this season and has struggled with manning a full squad each week. If the teele shirts are serious about getting to the promise land than a serious performance is required this week. Will Sabr be able to match the legs of Ikhlas?  

Burning Questions?

Can Sabr overthrow Ikhlas?

Who's Hot?

Humza Chaudhry had two goals to place his team back into playoff contention. 

Player To Watch:

Sajid Khan has been a force in the backend, his tenacity will be essential this week.

Spring Previews - Week Eight - April 15th

Ihsan vs Haya

Ihsan again stubbed their toe for a sixth straight time. The red shirts quickly accumulated a healthy lead on Sabr last week but the wheels started falling off, leaving the game in a 3-3 draw. Although their offence has finally exited hibernation, Ihsan's failure to win a game has been appalling. They retain all the ingredients to make it happen but crumble like a cookie weekly. Now that they've shipped out goaltender Fraz Khan and acquired Zaid Majoo off waivers, maybe this is the facelift they needed. Ihsan's team defence continues to struggle, after all; how do you blow a 3-0 lead? Can Ihsan get by Haya this week?

GM Zuhair Fancy and his team pulled within three of Emaan but couldn't neutralize team orange's potent offence in a 7-4 decision. Now it's not doom and gloom for Haya yet. The blue shirts remain tough without Khan, have managed to churn out offence while maintaining steady defense and are situated in a respectable spot on the standings (so far). The remainder of the regular season trek won't be an easy task. Ihsan is up next and they've been point hungry since inception. Will Haya be able to get back in the win column? 

Burning Questions?

Will Ihsan capture a big win and escape from drowning in the standings?

Who's Hot?

Has Ahmad Hathout finally found his groove? The hulking forward sealed off last week with 2 point night

Player To Watch:

Known for his big snapshot, Azhar Kalair has provided some solid leadership with Haya and has 8 points in the last 6 games.

Emaan vs Shukr

The orange shirts piled their dirty laundry all over Haya last week with Arif Bijabhai and Yousuf Sowdagar both generating four point nights. The 7-4 win confirms a season sweep of Haya and now here comes Shukr. GM Ibrahim Hindy's team will get a thorough examination of themselves as a roaring Shukr squad is hot on the heels of a three game win streak. Will Emaan's defense be able to subdue Shukr's offence? Emaan's sketchy defense still exhibits signs of vulnerability and has permitted rival teams to put their rally caps on. Can Emaan stretch their win streak to three?

Shukr has utilized their hot hands of recent and are getting the job done swimmingly. Despite catering a small bench, the blue shirts edged the youthful Ikhlas team in a 1-0 shutout win. GM Kashif Taqiuddin has got the "Coles" notes to all the teams and has his squad outmuscling and out-scheming their opponents, now the rewards are showing. The surprise factor isn't the win, it's them earning it without their big name guys, players are stepping up and that speaks volumes. But can they conquer the raft of Emaan? Will Shukr be able to avenge their prior loss?

Burning Questions?

Who'll win this "Clash of the Titans" match?

Who's Hot?

Nadeem Qureshi has been solid with 4 points in his last two games.

Player To Watch:

Both Yousuf Sowdagar and Arif Bijabhai are absolutely torturing other teams with their offensive prowess.

Ikhlas vs Sabr

The chemistry of Ikhlas still appears to be a "work in progress." However, with the attainment of Idrees Deen and Waseem Kalair things have started to look rosy. Ikhlas battled toe to toe with Shukr last week and lost in a marginal 1-0 outcome. How much longer can the green shirts maintain a grasp of that 5th place seed? Sabr rolls into their schedule and are another team yearning to be a part of that post season conversation. Ikhlas's forwards have succeeded in their offensive attacks but have lacked the scoring punch. Will GM Naveed Mohammad's team be triumphant in their backend chores versus Sabr?

Sabr pulled off a daring comeback last week after being dumped in a 3 goal deficit. Freshly acquired Shuaib Hussein instigated the resurgence with a 3 point night as the teele shirts rallied to conclude the game in a 3-3 tie. Sabr is also anticipating a big win this week. GM Salman Alvi and associates have been winless in the last two games and are hanging from the threads in the standings. Stud netminder Fraz Khan, who's been sent to Sabr (via waiver) will get a fresh start on a new team. Can Hany Soliman continue his heightening offensive production? 

Burning Questions?

Which team will exit their respective slumps?

Who's Hot?

Shuaib Hussein made a grand entry to his new team. Can he continue to be an instrumental piece to Sabr?

Player To Watch:

Goaltender Yusuf Kapoor has been a pleasant surprise for Ikhlas. Will he be able to hold the fort versus Sabr?

Spring Previews - Week Seven - April 8th

Shukr vs Ikhlas

Shukr's big win last week over Sabr rewarded them with a tight grip on third place. The blue shirts swept their season series with Sabr in an authoritative 5-3 decision as GM Kashif Taqiuddin, Saleem Malik and Aazar Zafar led the charge for their squad. The grizzled squad are now winners of two straight and bid to maintain that winning ambience against Ikhlas. The last time these two met it was Shukr who left with grins on their faces in a 4-2 trouncing. However, with Ikhlas getting a moral boost over an empty net win, things could get a bit challenging for the blue shirts. Will Shukr be able to extend their win streak to three? Can Shukr's defense handle Ikhlas's budding squad?

Remember that black cloud hovering over Ikhlas? Well, it's gone and now it seems like sunny days are finally here, or is it really? Although the win wasn't attractive, the green shirts pelted Ihsan's open net 7 times and finally crawled out of the bottom of the standings. Ikhlas needs to use this freshly discovered momentum to outpace Shukr's seasoned clan. Humza Chaudhry and Idrees Deen played key minutes while Yusuf Kapoor thwarted away 16 shots to get the green shirts a big W. However, Ikhlas's defensive adversities persist and could be their pressure point against an experienced team like Shukr. Could team green surprise team blue?

Burning Questions?

Will Ikhlas be able to build off their recent win and edge out Shukr?

Who's Hot?

Humza Chaudhry finished off the night with a hat trick and an assist.

Player To Watch:

After nursing an injury, the towering Sadat Malik returned to his team and didn't disappoint at the blue line. His timely resurgence will be vital henceforward.

Haya vs Emaan

What goes up must come down. You kind of estimated that Haya would blow a fuse one day, unfortunately that day arrived quicker than we guessed. Waqar Khan missing, team defense miscues, GM Zuhair Fancy's team only managed to hit Khalid Mufti with a mere 9 shots only to get cornered and beaten 5-1 from Emaan. Bad news is that they'll have to confront them again this week and we're praying that fate will side with them. Players will need to step up and show some character in overthrowing the orange shirts. Could Haya avoid getting shamed by Emaan? Will Kaunain Saiyed be able to handle Emaan's firepower?

Emaan put a nasty dent on Haya's team record with Gehad Al-Hundi, Yousuf Sowdagar and the "chesire cat", Huzaifa Majara causing the majority of the damage. Even the newest acquisition, Arif Bijabhai picked up 2 assists in an enthralling 5-1 decision. The orange shirts dominated Haya and barricaded them in their own zone for a majority of the game. Will this week be as simple as hitting the repeat button for team orange? GM Ibrahim Hindy wasn't present last week and will get a chance to join in on the fun this time. Can Emaan sweep the season series against Haya?

Burning Questions?

Will Haya be able to withstand Emaan again?

Who's Hot?

Yousuf Sowdagar put up a four point night last game.

Player To Watch:

Farooq Sani has been a solid two way player that hasn't been a foreigner on the scoresheet. His speed and work ethic will be vital versus Emaan.

Sabr vs Ihsan 

Sabr lost a heart breaker last week against Shukr. The teele shirts had a stellar showing with Hany Soliman, Yousuf Soliman and Mazhar Hussain getting their noses dirty, but Sabr unfortunately buckled in the final minutes of the game only to lose 5-3. In comes Ihsan. The last time these two met, it was a scoreless tilt but with Sabr recently showed some flashes of composure and determination, it'll be interesting to see how both teams react to their respective loses. Yousuf Soliman has been held scoreless in two games while Mazhar Hussain has yet to hit the twine. Can Sabr inch up the standings with a big win? 

Ihsan is the only winless team in the league that's longing in finding a pulse. GM Fuzail Thakur claimed Amir Multani off waivers, and that's been a dud (so far), Ahmad Hathout has been pointless, and now Wakaas Khan joins the team in hopes of inclining this team on the standings. Ihsan biggest battle has simply been scoring, the red shirts have only 4 goals to brag about and have had their stellar scorers silenced from the score sheets. After tending some concussion issues, goaltender Fraz Khan finally returns between the pipes. The red shirts need to be at speed against Sabr's forwards. Will Ihsan finally win?

Burning Questions?

Which team will exit their corresponding slumps?

Who's Hot?

Hany Soliman has 7 points in his last 2 games.

Player To Watch:

The newly acquired Wakaas Khan will try to be the catalyst in getting his team their first win.