Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:36 pm 2007 A EAST TEAMS REVIEW

As the season comes to an end I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the top teams before playoffs roll around…

Shamrocks: Good team that can compete. Definitely not as dominant as it was hyped up to be; losing games to west teams and tying games, choking when they have the lead. As well as their coaches being banned for cheating during games and unsafe behaviour. They have an advantage as the team has chemistry from playing together for awhile, but not all of the players game from Goulding Park. Lead by their players than can score like #87 who is one of their best and has had great battles in aa. However they have great players all around. They work hard and smart which always makes up for skill.

Forest Hill: Great team defensively as they can shut teams down, still have a couple weak points since they were afraid to cut players they have had on the team for years. This year they added Forest Hill AA talent that had definitely made a difference with the much needed scoring issue. It has come in handy with hat trick wins over avenue road or even just a goal here and there for must win games. One of those teams that relies on their top player to lead. Always a top team but throughout the years has had a reputation of choking.

Aeros: Very fascinating to see the Aeros not be the favourites. However they always compete and want to win by any means necessary. Have the edge over a team like shamrocks as they know how to play single a hockey better. On the smaller side but that obviously doesn’t matter for them as that works to their advantage. They have had some trouble dealing with them not being the best since they lost players and other teams got better and adjusted but i’m sure that will give them plenty of fuel to win it all this year. Will be fun to watch whoever they play in the playoffs.

Knights: Solid team throughout. Strength is definitely defence but that allows leverage for the forwards to be confident. Knights added more strength on defence as they made cuts and gotten better players (e.g AA Knights top D). Adds to their strong core of #44 leading the defence but also takes pressure and eyes off of him. They have definitely had a group of players that have been on the team for years and get along very well with the new guys they picked up, which always helps with chemistry. Coach is serious as he will bench players if they don’t show up for practice. They always are extremely competitive and give it their all, however It appears that this is their last shot to win a championship before their best players leave, will they make the most of their last opportunity?

Avenue Road: This team was able to pull off 2 major upsets last year, plus contended with the aeros in the finals for the east. This year could be the same. Just upset forest hill in a big win. They have a strategy of double shifting #4 as that’s their best player (or leaving him on for 5 min +). They know their strengths and weaknesses and is not afraid of benching to give him extra ice time. They will need to play at their best but could make another run, one of my dark horse picks. They have always loved to win and will do anything for it. They are able to grind out series (being able to beat forest hill in game 7 overtime), plus have the guts to leave #4 on the ice the whole overtime! Great call by the coach since #4 scored the game winner and sent forest hill packing.

Leaside: Will always be a threat. Another one of my dark horse picks that can make a run with their smart hockey, coaching and passion. Over the years past they have had the reputation of a defence first team and were able to win the championship back in the day. Last season they had a problem scoring. Because of Ted Reeve collapsing (you can thank puckdaddy LOL!) They were able to get top scorer on ted reeve who has led the flames in goals by a wide margin and to incredible wins, plus their comeback against the shamrocks. They have made other additions as they have cut their weak links and gotten stronger forwards, (really solid and hardworking player from Aeros). Also picked up great skating defensemen from AA Leaside and still have solid goaltending. When Leaside plays at their best they can compete with any team.

West Hill: Always underestimated due to lack of skill and not a higher class organization (e.g Knights or Flames), but they know the type of game they need to play and give it 100%. Always a dark horse favourite. The way they were able to outplay and undress the shamrocks to their incredible comeback really shows that this team has what it takes. Hard working forwards, defence and extremely solid goaltending. Have heard rumours of their parents chirping but their crazy mentality is what gives them an edge over privileged teams like shamrocks and aeros. You can call them grinders for sure but don’t be surprised if they make it far.

8th Place Finisher (East Enders, Ted Reeve, Markham, Hillcrest, etc): It really depends on who makes it in, as all of these teams have different strategies. You have defence first teams like the Markham Islanders who were able to shutdown the shamrocks, west hill and is very disciplined. Then you have teams like the East Enders that like to try to bully their opponents and play that hard working style. Whoever makes it in has an up-road battle but could steal a game or two due to being underestimated.

When we get the matchups for playoffs, we will be able to get a better grasp on the teams that can make real runs, but for now these are my season reviews on the top 8 teams.

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:39 am I can also confirm there wont be a NYK, WH, Hillcrest , or Shamrocks team for 23/24. More to come.

Guest wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:08 pm All playoff spots have determined, except for 8th

Shamrocks vs EE or MI
FH vs Ducks
Aeros vs WH
NYK vs LF

Where is the predator at.
Let’s hear the predictions.