RIAL Game Preview: Reno Pond Hockey VS The Guardians

Reno Pond Hockey is coming off of a 9-2 win verses the Nevada Police Foundation. Reno Pond Hockey has a record of 7-1-0. Reno Pond Hockey has not lost a game yet in 2023. They are on a 7 game winning streak which is the longest winning streak in Reno Pond Hockey history. This is also the most wins Reno Pond Hockey has gotten in a single season. Reno pond Hockey is in 1st place in the current D-League Standings. The Guardians are coming off of a 6-3 win against the Grrrowlers. They have a record of 5-0-1. They are the only team in the RIAL to have not lost a game in regulation this season. They are on a three game winning streak. They are on 2nd place in the the current D-League standings. Reno Pond Hockey’s all Time record against The Guardians is 2-1-0. The last game between Reno Pond Hockey and The Guardians was on January, 6th, 2023. Reno Pond Hockey won that game in a shootout 2-1. Reno Pond Hockey is the only team to defeate The Guardians this season.

Reno Pond Hockey has scored 41 goals in eight games. That is 5.12 goals per game. Reno Pond Hockey is 2nd place for goals scored in D-League so far this season. They are ten goals behind the leader (Mid-Ice Crisis). Reno Pond Hockey and Mid-Ice Crisis are the only two teams to have scored over thirty goals this season in the D-League.

Reno Pond hockey allowed 21 goals in six games. That is 2.62 goals against per game. That is the 2nd least in D-League. They have allowed eight more goals than the current leader. They have a goal differential of 20.

The Guardians have scored 22 goals in seven games. That is 3.14 goals per game. They are in 5th place for goals scored so far this season.

The Grrrowlers have allowed 44 goals in seven games. That is 6.28 goals against per game. That is the most goals allowed so far in D-League. They have a goal differential of -22.

Reno Pond Hockey has played more games. Reno Pond Hockey has won two more games. The Guardians have fewer losses. The Guardians have the only shootout loss between the two teams. Reno Pond Hockey has fifteen more goals. The Guardians have allowed eight fewer goals. Reno Pond Hockey has three more points.

Tonight’s game will be a battle for first place. With two extra games to play The Guardians have the advantage as they could finish the season with more points. If Reno Pond Hockey wins, they would be five points ahead in the first place. That will not be enough to secure first following the game. Reno Pond Hockey would secure the regular season title if they win and The Guardians lose one of their last three games. If Reno Pond Hockey win and win their final game of the regular season they will win the regular season title no matter what. If the Guardians win they have to lose two of their remaining three games for Reno Pond Hockey to have a shot at the regular season title going into the last game of the season. If the game ends in a Reno Pond Hockey shootout defeat, The Guardians would have to lose one more game to give Reno Pond Hockey a chance. Reno Pond Hockey can finish the season with a total of 18 points while The Guardians can finish the season with a total of 19 points. It could be a tight race to the finish. Following tonight’s game Reno Pond Hockey will not have another game until March 1st. If the last three games in this all time series are any indication, I expect this game to be a close hard fought for battle.