WEEK 10 (thru Monday)

Signed to a seven-day tryout contract on Monday, Linus Ullmark generated instant points for his Vegas Vipers team, the unheralded 26 year-old backstop stopping 44 of 45 shots, the 4.4 point effort providing the win-needy Vipe with an early 4.4 point lead.

Vegas Vipers: 6.4
Central Red Army: 2.0
A match featuring two teams that have reached the fork in the H2H road - both teams 4-5; both teams needing a win to reach the hallowed grounds of “Notta-Losing Record.” While the heat is on both, the pressure for the Vipers to win is greater. The Army trail the Probert division leader by two games while the Vipers - despite their improved play - sit three full games behind the best of the Grimson.

SC Cobras: 3.0
Badger Bob: 0.0­
Their confidence intact despite falling in Week 9, Badger Bob travels to southern California to match hockey wits with the SC Cobras. Once the runaway leader of the Grimson, the Bobs now sit just one game above the 2nd place Ducks. While their playoff future remains bright, GM Chester’s grip on the Grimson crown is no longer tight. For the SC Cobras to commandeer the Domi chalice - and an automatic berth in the playoffs - the teams needs to win, the snakes currently two games back of the division-leading Misconducts.

Cherry Pickers: 1.0
Wild Ducks: 2.0
A short time ago, the notion of the Wild Ducks winning the Grimson was just that, a notion - trailing the then undefeated Bobs by two games. The Ducks are back in the hunt, a huge Week 9 win drawing GM Collard’s squad to within one game of the division lead. The task of winning won’t be easy however has the Cherry Pickers have upped their game, the northernly-tracking squad bringing improved play and a 4-5 record to this non-devisional confrontation; the Pick possibly a win removed from a share of the Probert division lead.

Bluliners: 5.0
Rocky Rocks: 4.0­
With 13 weeks remaining in the H2H season, no team currently sits in “must-win” territory, however Rocky Rocks resides just on the outskirts, the 3-6 squad in no position to absorb another loss; their Week 10 match bearing the label “Sorta-Gotta-Win.” The Bluliners meanwhile are locked in a three-way tie for second place in the Probert. A loss could place the Bluliners in the Probert cellar while a win could move GM Hamilton into the Probert penthouse; their Week 10 match the epitome of “pivotal.”

Ice Hogs: 2.0
Polar Bears: 5.0­
The Ice Hogs, 5-4, are sitting on the top of the Probert division but the team is wobbling after losing in Week 9; no less than three teams pounding on the Hogs first place door - all three teams trailing by a single game. For the Hogs to fortify their position they’ll have to take down the Polar Bears. On paper the task looks easy as the last place Bears are bringing a 3-6 mark to the contest. The Bears however are desperate. That and they’re playing with confidence after potting a solid 52.7 points last week; the Hogs netting just 45.2.

Misconducts: 0.0
Boulder Flyers: 3.0­
Once the King of the Probert, the Boulder Flyers have been migrating south for the winter, the struggling franchise, 4-5, parked in the crowded Probert basement. The Misconducts meanwhile are perched atop the Domi division with a record of 6-3. A win could return the Flyers to their former Probert-leading home while the Misconducts - with a two game Domi lead - are facing very little pressure as they gleefully skate into the 10th week of the 22-week H2H regular season.

LINK: Standings