Welcome everyone to the season 46 halfway point! This season is the groundbreaking season we have all been anticipating for years with the introduction of full cross platform between PSN & Xbox players. With a long weekend ahead of me I thought it would be fun to do a little writeup on how the season has gone so far and where we are currently sitting. Throughout this writeup you will see a ton of information that will be interesting to track throughout the rest of the regular season. Also, i will make a couple hot takes so please be as brutal as you can on your critiques, enjoy! Top teams in the league: 1) Atlanta Gladiators 53p (East) 2) Tulsa Oilers 52p (West) 3) Reading Royals 51p (East) 4) Newfoundland Growlers 50p (East) 5) Cincinati Cyclones 46p (West) Alaska Aces 46p (West) Florida Everblades 46p (East) 8) Wheeling Nailers 44p (West) Quad City Mallards 44p (West) Wichita Thunder 44p (West) Brampton Beast 44p (East) Allen Americans 44p (West) East 1) Atlanta Gladiators 26-9-1 53p Management: (GM) @TuckItTeal , (AGM) @LeafsNation22 , (AGM) @XFrxncey 100 Goals for 85 Goals against +15 Differential Most points: @darkdany 12GP, 33p, 16G, 17A, +6 Summary: This team has been out in front all season and i dont forsee them giving up that spot easily. The top line here being 9-3-0 is impressive but they clearly have a kink in their game plan somewhere. I am very interested to see this team without their god-like goalie in net @Hxnkzy (16-4-1, .856sv%, 2.10GAA, 3SO) and see if he is their xfactor. This team was built for success of the start with the management team securing damn near the entire team for 750k each and still having $7,000,000 in cap. The standard rule of thumb of excess cap and being an awful team does NOT apply here. Congratulations on one hell of a start and good luck to you guys the rest of the season. 2) Reading Royals 24-9-3 51p Management: (GM) @Kmoreau19 , (AGM) @RtC21 , (AGM) @BADxLARRY 126 Goals for 83 Goals against +43 Differential Most points: @x-_9-Shield-8_-x 12gp, 32p, 13g, 19a, +25 & @Zuuuuuub 11gp, 32p, 18g, 14a, +18 Summary: As the author of the post i dont want to post too much but i will give credit where it is due. @Kmoreau19 pulled of the trade of the century in acquiring zuub for his line where they have a long standing history of chem. The 750k line of Sean Sal, Bostondangler & Shiny puppet supported by Benny and Lamar has been outstanding (i hate you boston). Both goalies here have been fantastic and congratulations to @DarthxKitten868 for his league leading 4SO. Ill let you all decide how this team is doing and where they are going. 3) Newfoundland Growlers 23-9-4 50p Management: (GM) @iScorzy- , (AGM) @HeyKep , (AGM) @LGallagherL11 129 Goals for 90 Goals against +39 Differential Most points: @LGallagherL11 11gp, 37p, 21g, 16a, +25 & @Filthy_mitts11 12gp, 37p, 17g, 20a, +19 Summary: The reigning PSN CHL team (or atleast part of it) has established themselves in the league. Their top line is 10-1-1 which is impressive nonetheless. These guys are here to play and theyre here to stay! Battling for the top spot in not only their conference but the entire league you can expect to sweat every time ya play em. As a manager myself im happy to see these guys take a team its been awesome interacting with the PSN side of LG mainly these guys. Overall i dont expect them to go anywhere and will finish near the top for the regular season. 4) Florida Everblades 19-9-8 46p Management: (GM) @Ohmylettuce , (AGM) @Pancheeze , (AGM) @xHoodler 117 Goals for 102 Goals against +15 Differential Most Points: @xHoodler 11gp, 33p, 15g, 18a, +13 & @Dazzy x 4 11gp, 33p, 13g, 20a, +13 Summary: Im not sure whats going on here...this team interest me because there is a ton of talent but I also know a few of these guys arent the most social people when it comes to not winning every game. If these guys can get their shit figured out they can easily be a contender for top team but if not this could spiral very quickly into a bubble team. These guys need a goalie bad, apply within. 5) Brampton Beast 20-12-4 44p Management: (GM) @eye2797 , (AGM) @joe_canzo1987 , (AGM) @wildstajan1 124 Goals for 115 Goals against +9 Differential Most Points: @ToMMy l28l 12gp, 35p, 17g, 18a, +15 Summary: HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THESE GUYS THIS LAST WEEK? 8-1-1 in their last 10 they came STORMING back into the standings. I mean they were getting down bad and said enough of all that shit and came back to where they are now. Huge shoutout @Bakerx8 for calling this one out ahead of time because if these guys can keep up that level of play, everyone watch out. Im not sure if they just got a favorable schedule or if this momentum is sustainable so ill be following this one very closely (and secretly cheering). Regardless this team clearly showed to not underestimate them or they will capitalize. Congratulations on that run and good luck moving forward. 6) Worcester Railers 20-13-3 43p Management: (GM) @GoonThaBearded , (AGM) @dekez4lyfe12 , (AGM) @SwerveWalker 118 Goals for 104 Goals against +14 Differential Most Points: @dekez4lyfe12 12gp, 33p, 16g, 17a, +15 Summary: Weeks 1-3 it was like this team hasnt skipped a beat since last seasons CHL XBOX Finals...and then week 4 happened. Not sure what happened this week if it was avail changing or peoples thumbs being amputated or what but 3-6-1 is tough when they were competing for a top spot in the Eastern conference. Ill be the first to say its far from over this season and this management team clearly knows how to make adjustments to start winning so keep an eye out. 99% of teams have an off week at some point in the season and this may have been theirs but as we all know, the season will not get any easier. I see these guys getting it together and making the playoffs. 7) South Carolina Stingrays 20-14-2 42p Management: (GM) @bigkahuna03 , (AGM) @Donko IV , (AGM) @PickySaturn03 125 Goals for 111 Goals against +14 Differential Most Points: @Donko IV 12gp, 32p, 18g, 14a, +10 Summary: Im no doctor but it looks like this team caught the availability bug! The records for this team are all over the place like a hodge podge of players thrown together and making it work. And that they are! Making it work still in the playoffs halfway through the season and with a solid management team infront of them kahuna and these boys know what needs to be done. Coming off a gold medal run in last seasons WJC tournament never count these guys out. While my personal love for this team ranks in the top 3 of the league i gotta put them as a bubble team...for now. 8) Maine Mariners 19-15-2 40p Management: (GM) @x Verci 89 , (AGM) @DaKnot , (AGM) @Fonz8981 103 Goals for 116 Goals against -13 Differential Most Points: @AyeBunt- 12gp, 29p, 18g, 11a, +4 Summary: Welp, there it...the first team in the playoffs with a (-) differential. How? Because its week 4 and pure luck considering the teams behind Maine are positive so with that said...GENTLEMAN START YOUR ENGINES THE PLAYOFF RACE IS ON FOR THE BUBBLE! Maine this past week has made a few roster moves with trades in hopes its enough to get them a few more point lead heading down the back stretch of the regular season. As with any team that has a bit of turnover and adversity it is always exciting to see where this team is now and where they will be. Personally i dont see them making it (im sorry but i gotta say someone isnt gonna make it eventually). 9) Norfolk Admirals 17-16-3 37p ManagementGM) @aubzz88 , (AGM) @k_o2105 , (AGM) @xBarbzzz 130 Goals for 112 Goals against +18 Differential Most Points: @ASAP_Hocky 12gp, 47p, 29g, 18a, +18 (SHEEEEEEEESH) Summary: As a dman (that is mediocre at best) this team pains me. They are 3rd in the LEAGUE with goals for and not in the playoffs. Where is the back end here? Dmen & goalies you have some explaining to do! Save the EA goal excuse for someone who cares, you cant keep holding this forward group back if you want to make a run for playoffs. Until this team gets their back end out they wont make the playoffs, they will be an annoyance for teams sure by winning some games they should not have but i dont see them making playoffs with no backend. 10) Manchester Monarchs 16-19-1 33p Management: (GM) @hoochnutz2 , (AGM) @Gbaby Waffles , (AGM) @Stonebraker 93 Goals for 117 Goals against -24 Differential Most Points: @Spiritual x 12gp, 27p, 18g, 9a, +5 Summary: Im very happy i can type this portion out because if you asked me in a verbal conversation how i felt i dont think id be able to speak....UHHHH HELLOOOOOO WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! DOES ANYONE KNOW!? This is easily my biggest surprise of the season so far with whats going on here. I love these guys and am huge fans of them especially after that awesome run they had as the Niagara Ice Dogs last season but my god. To be fair, i have noticed a lot of movement going on with this team through the upper tiers as well with callups/send downs but yeeesh. 1-9-0 last 10...and yet i am STILL a believer. These managers arent dumb and they dont suck regardless of what their current record says. There are 3 teams outside of the playoffs right now that i think will sneak in and this being the top of those 3 teams. 11) Orlando Solar Bears 14-17-5 33p Management: (GM) @TopCheddr , (AGM) @Chick N Pigz , (AGM) @Giroux 107 Goals for 102 Goals against +5 Differential Most Points: @TopCheddr 9gp, 38p, 16g, 22a, +24 Summary: Insert team 2 of teams that are outside of the playoffs that i think will make playoffs. Looking over the management decided it was time to shake some things up with some trades this week. It was a brutal stretch for them at 2-6-2 over their last 10 which probably sparked the changes. This team has all the pieces it needs to pull a Brampton and go on a serious run over their next 10 so be wary if you play them in your games this week and next. The bears have alot of talent spread across the roster and alot of experience in post season apperances followed by success. 12) Adirondack Thunder 15-19-2 32p Management: (GM) @LUGlA-_- , (AGM) @Sgrtpepper , (AGM) @wkory 114 Goals for 125 Goals against -11 Differential Most Points: @Nhl 23 is buns 12gp, 33p, 11g, 22a, +6 Summary: I think we all know whats gonna happen here...the game plan is the best defense is a strong offense with this team. The goaltending doesnt seem to be that great and the guys infront of them dont seem to want to give much support. Coming off a strong last 10 as 7-3-0 they need to keep that momentum going for hopes to gain ground. As it stands they are 8p out of a playoff spot and its only going to get harder. I dont have alot of faith or hope for this team and its only halfway through the season. Great group of guys all around but personality doesnt win games ya need chemistry which it seems this team is lacking. I hope im wrong and you all troll me but i wont hold my breath. 13) Trois-Rivières Lions (I copied and pasted that name) 15-19-2 32p Management: (GM) @Samsquanch15883 , (AGM) @LedvinKa , (AGM) @Specificationn 94 Goals for 114 Goals against -20 Differential Most Points: @rweagle15 12gp, 29p, 17g, 12a, +4 Summary: Insert team 3 of teams that are currently out of the playoffs that i think could make it. I am convinced ledvinka sam and ballzy sold off their accounts temporarily and are letting children from a country that dont play hockey play on their accounts. But when those guys come back watch out for the tear they are gonna go on! If you had this roster in s40 it would be an instant mem cup team but who knows if they are adjusting to this new game as well as they have in the past. Ledvinka is usually a top point guy in the league and seems he cant put up his normal 10000 point season which could lead for disaster. While its pretty dark over here for the lions i dont think theyre dead yet. Once they figure out whats going on they will get it turned around very quickly. 14) Jacksonville Iceman 14-18-4 32p Management: (GM) @Sir_Sharkie , (AGM) @A Salty SaiIor , (AGM) @Loki x6x 89 Goals for 112 Goals against -23 Differential Most Points: @Hemmer083 12gp, 23p, 14g, 9a, -15 Summary: Book your trips in advance boys ya might get a discount deal on airfare to your favorite sandals resort because thats where ya are headed! Hopefully you can score some local swingers down there since ya cant score here. 3rd worst in the league for goals for with 89 (its sad there are teams with less but ill get to them) come on boys! Figure it out ya spent all that money to get mcdonald on your team but 1 guy wont save it all. Not sure what this teams strategy is moving forward but if any of the forwards would like to get the puck in the net im sure that would be a solid start. 15) Greenville Swamp Rabbits 11-19-6 28p Management: (GM) @DUSTydanglezz , (AGM) @JohnDeerexQC 96 Goals for 125 Goals against -29 Differential Most Points: @JohnDeerexQC 12gp. 34p, 19g, 15a, -5 Summary: Well someone has to be 2nd last right? I dont know these guys and it is always hard to give a bottom team a good writeup. There is no team here there is a guy and his name is Johndeerexqc other then that the 16 other people are leaving him out to dry. No effort, no team work, no drive, no will to win. Its not too late to turn it around but im hammering the -1000000 on them to miss the playoffs. 16) Savannah Ghost Pirates 11-22-3 25p Management: (GM) @W McCauley 4 , (AGM) @Yann x44 , (AGM) @PRiME80nj 74 Goals for 131 Goals against -57 Differential Most Points: @VolTaGe TaCKtik 12gp, 26p, 9g, 17a, -5 Summary: Yikes. The objective of hockey is to put the rubber circle into the net boys preferably the front side where a person stands called a goalie, and you dont want to hit him. YA GOTTA SCORE TO WIN! YA GOTTA HAVE A PULSE TO PLAY! AND YA NEED EYES TO SEE! I was skeptical of this team before bidding even started but i have faith in my guy Yann as a player but as a manager its not looking great buddy. This team did make a ton of moves this week with trades and call ups and everything so i guess anything is possible but im confident in saying we will have fresh water in Flint MI before this team makes the playoffs. East Playoff Predictions: Playoffs (no particular order): Atlanta Gladiators Reading Royals Newfoundland Growlers Worcester Railers Mancester Monarchs Orlando Solar Bears South Carolina Stingrays Florida Everblades Bubble: Trois River Maine Mariners Brampton Beast Norfolk Admirals Feed the CHL: Savannah Ghost Pirates Greenville Swamp Rabbits Jacksonville Iceman Adirondak Thunder (western conference yours is coming)
Excellent write up brotha. Great to see some thorough and well thought out ECHL media. I have been thinking of crafting some media to give some love to the ECHL dmen. Keep up the great work!
