WEEK 23 (thru Monday)

The Wild Ducks were blindsided by two shutouts on Monday, Kari Lehtonen (30 saves) and Cam Talbot (35 saves) combining for 13.0 points, the ridiculously resilient Ice Hogs again the best team in the FHL, leading the shell-shocked Ducks by 1.1 points.

The Battle for the FHL Cup
After tumbling out of first place, many thought the Ice Hogs would soon tumble out of the money. At this point you'd be a fool to bet against the two-time FHL Cup champion, GM Henry's pigs once again the team to beat. On Monday the Hogs also padded their lead over the other contenders, the 3rd place Bluliners now 39.7 points back while the Central Red Army took another step in the wrong direction, trailing what would be their first FHL championship by 43.2 points. The Misconducts are on the verge of departing the Cup-chase, in 5th place overall, now 47.9 points back.

The Skirmish for the Laughing Bag
Only one FHL Champion has ever been saddled with the Laughing Bag - the booby prize for finishing dead last. The Boulder Flyers could be the second such team, the three-time champion nervously seated in 11th place, just once seat shy of the basement. While the battle for the Bag appears to be a two-team race, two other GM's should be looking over their shoulder, both the Slashers and Bobs seated much closer to the cellar than they are to the FHL attic.

Round One, H2H Playoffs

Wild Ducks: 2.0
Bluliners: 1.0­
Round one of this Original Six playoff bout was more of a feeling out process, both fighters moving nervously around the ring. The Wild Ducks did connect with a stiff jab near the bell, all three judges giving the round to GM Collard, 2.0 points to 1.0.

Central Red Army: 5.5
SC Cobras: 1.3­
Only a few people, mostly family, are betting on the SC Cobras to defeat the Central Red Army. After Day 1, no one is betting on the snakes to advance (not even family) the SC Cobras already sitting in a 4.2 point hole.

Ice Hogs: 14.0
Ice Cats: 4.0­
There are six days remaining in the week but the Ice Cats already have their work cut out for them, the Ice Hogs erupting for 14.0 points on a relatively quiet Monday, the Cats troubles already 10.0 points deep.

LINK: Standings