Reptar Does It Again

 

It wasn’t easy for Reptar, but once again they took home the title.  With Greg Stofman and Jon Martiniello at Nationals with the club team, and league MVP/Leading Scorer Mark Loh doing whatever is Mark Loh does, Reptar was left with just 8 skaters.

In the semifinals, they cruised to a 5-1 victory over America.  Defenseman Cody Carlson, who was celebrating his birthday, had 2 goals and 1 broken stick.  He finished the year averaging a broken stick about every 2 games, a new intramural record.  But more importantly, he gave Reptar an early lead they would never lose.  The other 3 goals came from Bishop Feehan alums Jon Casali and Andrew Stukas.  Casali had 2 to Stukas’ 1, but still left feeling inferior since he knows his fantasy baseball team is nothing compared to Stukas’.

In the championship, Reptar would face Pass Shoot ScOrr, who had just 5 skaters.  They had 6 for their semifinal game just 2 hours earlier, but their captain decided to hang out with his girlfriend instead of coming to the Championship game.  Husky Hockey Blog talked to him last night and he admitted the fact that his team had no chance played heavily into his decision.   So as you can imagine with an 8 vs 5  game just hours after grueling semifinals, it wasn’t the best hockey.  There were times where both teams seemed content to ice the puck.  Those times made up the majority of the game.  But Reptar would take the lead when Matt “the Moose is Loose” Merenich would tip home a Cody Carlson shot midway through the 2nd.  Pass Shoot ScOrr would get their chances, but Reptar goalie Billy Stacy was up to the challenge.

Reptar closed out the 1-0 win with Stacy taking home MVP honors.  The importance of the win for Reptar cannot be understated.  After not winning the title for the first time ever last semester, it was a huge bounceback season for Reptar.  This was their 4th championship, but it marked their first undefeated season.  Those were the only benefits: this was also the first championship picture that featured the new jerseys, which have been called the best in the league.  Also, as Zach Frisch mentioned before the game, “We have to win, I really need a new (Facebook) profile picture”.  And most importantly the win showed that miracles can happen.  Missing their best 3 players? Thats one thing.  But having a team that was absolutely lacking in any semblance of flow and still coming out on top? Purely unbelievable.

Intramural Playoff Preview: Fall ’11

The Playoffs have arrived.  And with them are some familiar faces.

Reptar makes it 4 semesters, 4 playoff appearances.  They will be hoping to make it 4 semesters, 4 championships, but it wont be easy.

Perennial contender Christ Crew makes a return to the playoffs. They are veteran team who has been here before but never been able to win it.

Then there is Don’t Toews Me Bro.  They are one of the younger teams in the league but no stranger to the playoffs.  They pushed Reptar to the limits last semester and made some additions to try to take the title this time around.

And finally we have Hurricanes, who are making their first playoff appearance.  The team may be new, but it does have some IM veterans.  After mounting a 2 goal, 3rd period comeback against Reptar, they have proved they belong.

 

Sunday, 9:30: (1) Don’t Toews Me Bro vs (4) Hurricanes

Regular Season: DTMB 4, Hurricanes 2

Records: DTMB 4-0-1, Hurricanes 3-1-1

Don’t Toews Me deserves the 1 seed.  The opened the season by managing a tie vs Reptar and then followed that up by running the table the rest of the way.  They came up bit short last year, but they are the only team that has really challenged Reptar for a title.  The addition of Style Demers may be the difference for them.  In addition to being a league leader in Flow, Demers has some serious dangles.  His backhanded toe drag is pure beauty.  This is a solid team up and down and they are going to be very tough to beat.

Hurricanes are a bit of surprise.  Named after “Hurricane” Hannah Berry, they feature members of both the boys and girls club hockey teams.   They also have local product, Sean Daly, who graduated from Bishop Feehan last year.  And of course they have the ultimate traitor, Pat Finnell.  Finnell left Reptar after just 1 game to join now-defunct Bruno’s Raviolis, where he never even reached the playoffs.  Now he has made the move to Hurricanes, along with his younger brother and he will finally get his chance.  This team really showed whats it capable of on Sunday.  DTMB may be favorites in this game, but Hurricanes is more than capable of pulling the upset.

Sunday, 10:30 (2) Christ Crew vs (3) Reptar on Ice

Regular Season: Christ Crew 1, Reptar 1

Records: Christ Crew 3-0-2, Reptar 2-0-3

This one has a bit of history.  These two teams are lucky to be in the league after they had a game-ending fight 2 semesters ago.  They played again this semester and while things were chippy (as they usually are when Reptar is involved), things stayed under control and the game finished in a tie.

Christ Crew has been around awhile, but despite having some legit jerseys, they have been unable to do much in the playoffs.  They will get another chance this year, but they would be unlikely winners. They are led by Mike Rubino and Chris Gallo.  Rubino, the captain, may be one of the smaller players on the ice, but he is constantly making things happen for them.  Shutting down him is key for Reptar. Christ Crew also has one of the deeper teams in the league.  They have a full roster and usually most of them show up.  They are one of just a couple teams that run more than 2 lines.  They will be looking to use that their advantage against the short bench of Reptar.  Their other strength is goaltending.  They have allowed just 7 goals in 5 games.  In a league filled with offense, they play a defensive game and frustrate the opposition.

3-time Champions Reptar on Ice will be desperate to continue their perfect ruin.  But this has been their hardest semester yet.  Despite going undefeated, they have struggled to put teams away and hold leads. They have the least players of anyone in the league and that has hurt them more than once this year.  In the tie against Christ Crew, they had just 6 skaters.   They could be without their captain Colin Flynn, yet again, for this game.   Reptar relies on Greg Stofman and Moose Merenich big time. There is hardly a game that both of them don’t pick up at least one goal in.  They have carried Reptar to the title before and they will be looking to do it again.  Its a quick turnaround for Reptar after they skated very hard Sunday.  But if they can get everyone to show up (which they havent been able to do much this year), they will be the favorites.

 

We will try to get an interview with Reptar’s  Jon “Filthy Flow” Casali about his thoughts on the matchup and the team this year before the game.  So keep your eyes open for that.  Good luck to all of the teams playing, except for Christ Crew, Hurricanes and Don’t Toews Me Bro.

Reptar Pulls Out Tie to Reach Playoffs

It wasn’t the result they were looking for, but it was the result they need. Boosted by the return of a few players and a rowdy crowd of 2, Reptar on Ice skated to a 4-4 tie against Hurricanes last night.

The first shot of the game resulted in a goal for Hurricanes and it was clear Reptar was in for a battle. The deficit would be erased just minutes later by Greg Stofman. Neither goal was pretty but it didn’t matter, both teams were on the board and both were looking for a win despite the fact that a tie would put them both in the playoffs.

Play went back and forth as chances were created on each side in droves. But it stayed tied for the remainder of the first. Reptar carried a slight advantage in play, but they couldn’t make it count and Hurricanes did not go away.

At the beginning of the second, Reptar finally did make it count. It was Stofman again. This time he got free in the slot with a chance to walk in 1 on 1 with the goalie. But yet again Hurricanes would fight back and grab the equalizer. Hurricanes had made it clear: it was a battle and it wasn’t going to be decided until the final whistle.

So they began the third tied at 2-2. That would not last. Matt “Moose” Merenich scored on the first shift of the period and Reptar was in control. And this time instead of letting Hurricanes hit back, Reptar added to their lead (with a bit of luck). A long breakout pass found Jon Casali and he streaked in on a breakaway. He made a nice move but hit the post. The puck came back of the post, hit off the back of the sprawled goalie and trickled in. It was 4-2 Reptar with about 8 minutes left.

Hurricanes weren’t done yet though. They responded quickly to bring it back to a one goal. And then minutes later, out of nowhere they tied it. Hurricanes picked up the puck in the neutral zone and tried to break into the zone. Reptar’s defense was ready, so the Hurricanes player crossed the blue line and ripped a slap shot on net. Screened by his own defense, goaltender Billy Stacy could do nothing to stop it from going top shelf. The two goal lead has been erased and it was tied with 2 minutes left.

Neither team was interested in playing it safe and assuring themselves a playoff spot. Both teams wanted the win. The final 2 minutes were highlighted by one chance. With about 5 seconds left Stofman got the puck in the slot and tried to recreate his second goal. He made a move and got the shot off but the goalie denied him as the buzzer sounded.

So while the result and season (2-0-3) was slightly disappointing, that can be forgotten now that they have reached the playoffs. The league was deeper than ever this year and this is sure to be the most competitive playoffs yet. Normally Reptar has cruised to victory but they are in for a change this year. The three other playoffs teams are Christ Crew, Hurricanes, and Don’t Toews Me Bro. Reptar has tied all 3 this season, so they have their work cut out for them. Playoff matchups should be announced soon and we will bring a preview when that happens.

Intramural Update

There are just 2 games left in the intramural season, but the playoff picture is still a giant mess.

Don’t Toews Me Bro has locked up the 1 seed with 11 points (They did play one more game then everyone else, though they locked it up before their last game)

RamRod, Multiple Scoregasms and the Dangle Berries are already eliminated.  Joining them in missing the playoffs are Trolls and the team who named themselves after a former BU player.   Both finished the year with 0 points.

The leaves 5 teams for the final 3 spots.  All 5 are tied at 6 points.  Mighty Ducks and America have played all 5 of their games, so they must sit and wait.  On Thursday, Christ Crew will get the chance to clinch a playoff spot if they can pickup at least a point against RamRod.  RamRod has struggled, but they are still one of the most talented teams in the league.   And I am sure they would love to play spoiler.  We will try to catch up with RamRod star Greg Dwyer to get a feel for the team’s mindset after missing the playoffs yet again.   The other two teams are Reptar on Ice and Hurricanes, who play each other in the final game of the season Sunday night at 9.   The winner will clinch, the loser will be sweating it out.  No one really knows what the tiebreak rules are.  We will try to find out.

It will be interesting for sure.  2 huge games with everything on the line with some of the best teams in the league involved.

Don’t Toews Me Bro has looked good, but Reptar has never not won the championship.   That will be tested this year.

Thursday at 9: Christ Crew vs RamRod

Sunday at 9: Reptar vs Hurricanes

 

We will try to bring you another update after Thursday’s game.  Hopefully we have some more info regarding tiebreakers by then.

Shorthanded Reptar Steals a Point

Reptar tied Christ Crew 1-1 last night in a game that brought back memories of the last meeting between these two that ended in a brawl.
Like the last time, Reptar was missing their Captain Colin Flynn, who has not seen any action this season. But he wasn’t the only loss: Jon Martiniello, Bill Stacy, Greg Stofman, and Mark Loh were all absent as well. This meant that Zach Frisch was forced to play goalie and Reptar was left with just 4 forwards and 2 defenseman. Christ Crew was running a much bigger bench, but they had no intention of wearing an undermanned Reptar down.
They did, however, intend to score. Frisch was called on early and often as Reptar struggled to find their feet and figure out their strategy. It didn’t take long for Christ Crew to break through and take the lead courtesy of a defensive error from interim captain Andrew Stukas. Repat tightened up defensively, which led to very few legitimate offensive chance. It was 1-0 Christ Crew after 1 and Reptar was happy for a breather and 1 goal deficit.
The second period saw Reptar elevate their play, but their chances were still few and far between. They picked their spots very carefully and above all were responsibledefensively. Billy Goddard had a good opportunity but was denied by a big save. The second period ended and it was still 1-0, but Reptar was gaining in confidence what they were losing in stamina.
Needing a goal, they pushed onwards more frequently and aggressively than they previously had. Jon Casali was able to get a few shots off, but to no avail. Reptar would get their chance though. Casali shot from high in the slot and the goalie made the save. But the rebound fell right to Stukas on the other side of the crease. But right as he went to put it into the open net, he was tackled from behind. 2 minutes well worth it for the Christ Crew defender. Reptar was unable to capitalize on the Power Play, but the intensity ramped up and the game before much more physical. There would be no fight this game, but at least of that had to be because Reptar just had no energy left.
But Reptar would not be denied. Matt “Moose” Merenich had still had something to say. Moose picked up the puck and broke into the zone on the right side. He took the defender wide and looked like he was going behind the net. He wasn’t. He waited til the goalie dropped down and tucked the puck right underneath the crossbar like he has done countless times this season.
1-1 with 5 minutes left and Reptar had ambitions of adding another. Those ambitions would take a big hit when Cody Carlson was called for a hook with 2 minutes left. Carlson left the ice for the first time all night for a well deserved but untimely break. His defensive partner Tom Wickham never left the ice. Reptar used their timeout to rest more than anything else.
Prepared to settle for a tie, Reptar worked hard on the penalty kill. And they even had a chance of their own. A good forecheck created a chance for Stukas right in front of the net. As he attempted to spin and shot, he was again taken out from behind. There was no call coming this time, just an odd man rush. But it was dealt with and Reptar killed the final 30 seconds.
A tie vs. Christ Crew wasn’t the goal, but given the circumstances, the players were satisfied. Credit goes to Zach Frisch and the two defenseman, Carlson and Wickham. They were the reason Reptar was still in the game. They gave Christ Crew very few chances. But everyone on the team should be proud of the effort. It was a game that could have easily been lost. They will have 2 weeks to recover before finishing their season against Hurricanes.

First Line Leads Reptar to Another Big Win

Things got chippy at Matthews on Sunday. And despite not having their captain, Reptar on Ice was able to stay composed and not have a repeat of last year’s brawl, as they cruised to an 8-1 victory in a game that featured an ejection for Team America and 5 goals from their first line.

Andrew Stukas, serving as captain in Colin Flynn’s absence, put Reptar up 1-0 early with a bit of luck. America attempted to wrap it around the board behind their net. Unfortunately for them, the puck caught a weird bounce and popped up high in the hair. It fell to a wide open Stukas who gloved it down and beat the goalie on the backhand.

Then things got ugly. America had a player ejected after he made it clear how he felt about the tripping penalty that was called on him. Then Reptar’s Jon Martiniello was lucky to avoid the same fate when he too disagreed with a call. He was allowed to stay however, which did not go over well with America’s captain. In fairness, he complained about almost everything that happened in the game. He might be better served being a ref since he spent all game making calls and having conferences with the refs.

Reptar wouldn’t sit on their lead. Minutes later it was Matt “Moose” Merenich scoring from the slot. Moose would score again on his next shift before America would pull one back to make it 3-1 after 1.

Reptar, and more specifically Billy Goddard, wasted no time putting the game out of reach in the second. On his first shift of the period, Goddard picked up 2 goals and just missed on a third.

Next up was Greg Stofman. After the puck was poked loose from a faceoff in their defensive zone, Stof beat the defenseman to it and had a breakaway from the red line. To absolutely no one’s surprise, Stof put it away easily. 6-1 Reptar. But they weren’t done.

Stukas would add another on a great feed from Goddard to cap off a great day for the first line. Then it was last week’s hero Mark Loh getting the final goal (just 30 minutes after he had scored on his debut for Intramural Soccer).

And that’s how it ended, 8-1 Reptar. But not without more complaining from Captain America. But all the complaining in the world couldn’t take away from Reptar’s big day. Zach Frisch was the only forward not to score, but he chipped in with a few assists. And the defense never gets much mention, but that is because all they do is take care of business. This game was no exception. Jon Casali, who played back there to replace Flynn, looked like a seasoned defender. His partner Tom Wickham was solid, as usual. The other pairing Cody Carlson and Martiniello had good games as well. Both were eager to jump into the offense in search of a goal, but neither good find one. In net, Billy Stacy was great. He was tested a bit more than usual, but he was up for the challenge.

So its another win for Reptar and another unhappy opponent. Next up is Christ Crew, likely with a chance to clinch a playoff spot.

Intramural Update: Week 3

Here is the current playoff picture for the fall semester:

Reptar on Ice	1-0-1 (3)	America, Christ Crew, Hurricanes
Don’t Toews Me Bro	1-0-1 (3)	Mighty Ducks, Hurricanes, Scoregams
The Mighty Ducks	2-0-0 (4)	DTMB, Dangle Berries, Trolls
Christ Crew	2-0-1 (5)	Reptar, RamRod
America	1-0-2 (4)	Reptar, RamRod
Hurricanes	2-0-0 (4)	DTMB, Dangle Berries, Reptar
The Dangle Berries	1-1-1 (3)	Mighty Ducks, Hurricanes

Only 4 teams will make the playoffs and its going to go right down to the wire.

• The Dangleberries look the least likely to make it with only 3 points from 3 games.  They have 2 winnable games left though.  If they win both, they could sneak in.
• Hurricanes have been a surprise newcomer so far.  Not many broomball teams make the jump to hockey, but they have managed it.   Now comes the hard part: 2 out of their last 3 are against the cream of the crop.  They need to beat Dangleberries and hope to get something from one of the other two games to have a chance.
• America is another team that will probably miss out.   The have 2 very tough games left and they probably need about 3 points to feel safe.  RamRod will be looking to play spoiler  after another disappointing season.  This team lost in the Fall ’10 Championship, so they have the experience.
• RamRod is like the Jets of NU Intramurals.  All talk, no results.
• Christ Crew has 2 big games left as well.  One win will probably be enough, but that wont be easy.
• The Mighty Ducks are so close to a playoff spot.  Their last game against Trolls is an easy win.  If they can get a win in one of their other two, they should get in.   The Ducks lost in the Championship game of Spring ’10 and they were last team to win it before the reign of Reptar started.   They added former Northeastern Husky, JP Maley, and are making a push to take back the title. (Reptar is rumored to be looking into a possible acquisition of another former Husky Dman, Drew Muench).
• Don’t Toews Me Bro has proven themselves to be one of the best teams in the league.  After losing to Reptar in the Spring ’11 Championship, they went out and added Styles Demers, a sophomore with some unreal dangles.  An opening night tie with Reptar put them in an wearly hole, but a big win over RamRod has set them up nicely.   They need 2 out of their last 3, which is very possible.   They play 3 good teams, but they will be favored to win all 3.  This team will be in the playoffs for the 3rd Semester in a row.
• And last, but certainly not least, Reptar on Ice.  They too worked out of the opening night hole and find themselves controlling their own destiny.  But they have quite the stretch ahead of them.  First up a Championship rematch against America.  Then, its Christ Crew in a game that is sure to get chippy.  Reptar was almost kicked out of the league after a brawl occurred when these two teams last met.  Last up is Hurricanes, in what may be a heated game.  Pat Finnell plays for Hurricanes and Reptar players don’t forget how he left the team after 1 game to join Bruno’s Raviolis in their first season.

I think Reptar, DTMB and Mighty Ducks are all very close to being locks for the playoffs.  That last spot will likely be between Christ Crew and Hurricanes.  But crazier things have happened.

There are only 3 games this week but they are all huge ones.

Thursday-Mighty Ducks vs Dont Toews Me Bro, 9pm

The winner of this will be in great shape to make the playoffs.  Its probably too early to clinch, but this would put them right on the doorstep.  I think the addition of Maley gives the Ducks the edge and he leads them to a victory that shows they are here to stay.

Sunday-Reptar on Ice vs America, 5pm

Neither team can afford to lose, especially America.   America has played Reptar close, but they have never quite been able to hang with them for a full game.   Sunday is no different.  Reptar wins by a couple even without their captain (who has yet to play a game this year)

Sunday-Don’t Toews Me Bro vs Hurricanes, 9pm

2 games in 4 days is a tough task for DTMB, but with 2 wins they will lock up a playoff spot.  For Hurricanes, this a huge chance to improve their playoff chances and to prove that they are legit.  I havent seen Hurricanes play so I really don’t know what to expect.  But if they can hang with DTMB, I will be impressed.

So check back next week because the playoff picture will look a lot clearer by then.